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Anxiety Coaching

The National Institute for Mental Health reports that approximately 40 million people in the United States experience anxiety disorders each year. People cope with anxiety in many different ways. Some see a doctor and take medication. Others use holistic methods of stress reduction, like meditation. Some may seek the help of a therapist or coach to learn coping strategies.

  1. What is Anxiety?

    • Anxiety may include a sense of pervasive worry, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Mild anxiety may be related to common concerns, such as paying the bills or work deadlines. More severe feelings of anxiety which lead to significant distress can be signs of an Anxiety Disorder. People at either end of the anxiety spectrum may choose coaching as a way to feel better.

    What is Coaching?

    • Coaches help people make changes in their lives, learn new ways of coping, and function at their maximum potential. Certified Life Coach David Wood describes coaching as a structure for effecting healthy changes and goals. There is no single licensing body for Coaches. Coaches generally have training in counseling and specialized training in coaching. Cognitive Behavioral Coaches address maladaptive thought patterns, replacing them with more helpful thoughts.

    Coaching's Effect on Anxiety

    • Coaching eases anxiety by teaching the individual new coping skills and ways to identify maladaptive thoughts and replace them with healthier life strategies. Coaches provide structure and encouragement. By learning new problem-solving techniques, the person gains insight. This can greatly reduce anxiety. By focusing on solutions, coaching empowers an individual to identify goals and restructure his circumstances and ways of thinking and behaving.

    Coaching Example I - Test Anxiety

    • Test-taking is a stressful situation for many people. A Coach helps the individual to identify the source of anxiety, for example, thoughts like "If I fail this test, I will never get a job. I will be a loser." The Coach helps identify the unhelpful thoughts, and works with the person replace those with more positive self-talk, such as "I am prepared to do my best. I will be able to handle the outcome."

    Coaching Example II - Panic Attack

    • Panic attacks are a frightening manifestation of anxiety.Coaches focus on developing a strong support system for the person suffering the attacks, teach relaxation skills, work through the fears which lead to panic attacks, and replace triggering thoughts like "I can't make it through this!' with calm, rational thoughts such as "I am safe. Breathe. I will be all right."

    Choosing an Anxiety Coach

    • When choosing a Coach to work through anxiety issues, prepare some questions in advance. Ask about the Coach's training and experience in working with anxiety, the results they have achieved, and their treatment options. Other important information includes location of coaching sessions, how much they cost, and how many sessions are recommended.This will help ensure the best fit for working through anxiety issues.

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