Stress Counseling in Cleveland

As we begin to emerge from the once-in-a-century pandemic that was COVID-19, it is an understatement to say that stress levels are higher than ever. Combine that with the rest of the pressures most Americans live with—overscheduled lives, not enough sleep, too much screen time—and it’s no wonder stress has become something most of us are living with and trying desperately to manage. 

Too much time spent poring over news articles that portend doom is certainly not helping the matter. Many people may feel guilty admitting that their stress load has become a bit too much for them to bear and feel embarrassed asking for help with something that everyone experiences. However, it is because stress is so universal that so many stress management tools and techniques exist that a therapist can help you utilize in stress counseling in Cleveland.

How Stress Affects our Body & Relationships

Small amounts of stress can be helpful: it can make us strive to achieve a difficult goal, increase our motivation, and inspire us to change something that needs to be changed. But the downside of stress is the toll that it can take on the body if not managed. Uncontrolled stress makes virtually everything worse. 

Physical Symptoms of Stress

There are many physical symptoms that can be caused or exacerbated by stress. This doesn’t mean that you’re not really feeling the pain—it means that your body is manifesting your stress physically, trying to send you a message to stop and evaluate. Your back pain could be triggered by an upcoming social event you’re nervous about. Your stomach ache may be related to the added pressure that’s recently been put on you at work.

Working with a professional is the best way to decode your body's signals. It’s time to answer your body’s call for help.

Stress and Relationships

The amount of stress you go through can also have sizable effects on those around you. If you’re experiencing psychological pain, it can easily threaten the relationships you cherish, both personally and professionally. Unmanaged stress alters the way you behave, and those changes could be noticed and possibly internalized by those you care for most.

Of course, there are many necessary things that cause stress—so the focus there will be on resilience building. Is it possible to learn to navigate interactions with your upsetting boss or troublemaking family member without having a harmful emotional or physical reaction? It is—it just takes some work.

The Role of a Clinical Counselor in Managing Stress

A licensed professional clinical counselor can help you develop tools for stress management, and improving your everyday functioning. We can start with prevention, or more specifically, by identifying some of the things in your life that you don’t need that are causing you to stress and then helping you eliminate them.

What to Expect in Stress Counseling

Patients of stress counseling should be prepared to make some life changes that could not only lessen their stress load but help the rest of their physical and mental well-being. Things like meditation and regular exercise can have a massive positive impact on your outlook, as well as support your overall physical health. 

The Goal of a Stress Counselor

When it comes to stress, the ultimate goal is practical stress management through self-care. Once you and your therapist map out the stressors that are the biggest cause of consternation, you’ll create a variety of weapons to keep in your arsenal to combat those overwhelming feelings. The simple fact that you’ll know you have these techniques at your disposal, to call upon whenever you need them, can be a major reliever of stress in and of itself. 

Visit a Credible Stress Counselor in Cleveland

Defending your peace of mind against the forces of stress can be such an empowering experience. Stress counseling could be the first step toward reclaiming your contentment.

Contact AMKT Therapy’s professional clinical counselor, Angela Tarantino, LPCC, MFT for stress counseling in Cleveland at 440-720-4673. You can also book an appointment with her by filling out this form.