Stress & Anxiety Management

Several therapists, psychologists, and counselors at Miami Counseling & Resource Center specialize in helping individuals with managing the overwhelming aspects of stress. Stress is defined as a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that “demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize” (mainly attributed to Richard S Lazarus). It is the “wear and tear” our bodies experience both physically and emotionally. Stress can be both positive and negative. Positive stress, often called eustress, compels us to action and motivates us to reach our goals. Negative stress, often called distress, arises when the stress becomes unbalanced and results in feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, helpless, angry, or irritable. It can become so severe it can cause health problems such as headaches, GI distress, heartburn, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

To manage stress effectively, we engage in a multi-modal strategy of therapy that focuses on many areas and draws on many techniques:

• Thought Awareness – rational and positive thinking
• Guided Imagery
• Meditation
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• Deep Breathing
• Performance Planning
• Self-management: Sleep, Exercise, and Nutrition
• Life Analysis: Job, Family, Friends, Finance