Anxiety Therapy Orlando: How ERP Can Help with OCD

If you or someone you know is dealing with OCD, you may already know how exhausting it can be. Whether it’s the fear of contamination, the overwhelming need for things to feel “just right,” or intrusive thoughts that overwhelm you with uneasiness, guilt, and shame, these thoughts can become unbearable. When this happens, you engage in endless rituals (compulsions)—wash your hands repeatedly, check locks until it feels “safe,” or mentally review your thoughts, correspondence, or events to ensure you didn’t miss something important. Still, deep down, you know these compulsions won’t stop the anxiety or prevent the worst from happening. Instead, they eat up your time, disrupt your relationships, and leave you feeling stuck.

But there are ways to manage and regain control of your OCD. Working with an Orlando therapist trained in ERP can help you find relief and manage your OCD symptoms.

Anxiety Therapist Orlando: OCD and Its Impact on Daily Life

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Does your usual daily routines exhaust you? You may spend extra time every single morning checking and rechecking things—you have to make sure the door is locked, devices and appliances are unplugged, or everything is perfectly in order—causing you to be late or start your day feeling stressed. Going through these routines each day offers a temporary sense of relief. Still, having to repeat the same rituals over and over again can become overwhelming, leaving you mentally drained before your day even begins.

Anxiety Therapist Orlando: Understanding Different Types of OCD

Frequently when people think of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), they usually think of contamination OCD, which focuses on excessive handwashing and cleanliness. However, OCD encompasses much more than this.

There are different types of OCD such as self-doubt and checking OCD, intrusive forbidden thoughts, and hoarding. Working with a therapist in Orlando can help you understand your OCD and develop personalized strategies to manage symptoms, regain control over your thoughts, and improve your overall quality of life.

Trauma Therapist: Is it ADHD or PTSD or Both?

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

You want to focus, but you can't. You're distracted, and anxiety pulses through your body with a constant message: stay alert, don’t let your guard down. By the end of the day, you feel wrung out like an old wet towel.

Shows an image of two girls talking and writing in a journal. Represents how and Trauma Therapy Orlando can help.

You wonder, What’s going on with me? You've read articles about ADHD and think, Hmm, this sounds like me. Then, while scrolling through TikTok, you come across content about PTSD and think, This also sounds like me.

Now, you're left scratching your head, trying to figure out which one it is.

As a veteran trauma therapist and the owner of a highly specialized trauma therapy practice, Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, I’ve seen many clients ask the same question: Do I have ADHD, PTSD, or both?

A few years ago, I wrote An Inside Look at ADHD & PTSD, where I shared a conversation with Dr. Brady Bradshaw, a local Orlando psychiatrist, about the complexities of having both ADHD and PTSD.

Since then, I’ve seen more and more clients struggling with both conditions. Through this work, I’ve uncovered an even more nuanced understanding of how the symptoms overlap.

In this blog post, I'll dive deeper into the intersection of ADHD and PTSD. We'll explore the ways ADHD can make you more susceptible to PTSD and how EMDR Therapy can help alleviate many of the symptoms exacerbated by having both conditions. First, let’s cover the basics.

Anxiety Therapy Orlando Shares 7 Ways to Support a Loved One Who Is Struggling

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone you love is going through a difficult time, and you don't know what to say or do to ease their pain? It can feel like no matter what you do, you're getting it wrong or making things worse. At Mindful Living Counseling, we understand that witnessing a loved one’s struggles can make you feel overwhelmed and powerless, but there are practical ways to offer support.

This article offers tips on how to be there for someone you care about during challenging times.

Anxiety Therapist Shares The Impact of Stress and Trauma on Our Reactions

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you often feel overwhelmed by your reactions or struggle with intense internal conflict? Perhaps you notice yourself reacting in ways that seem contradictory or out of proportion, leaving you feeling confused or ashamed. These kinds of responses are more common than you might think, especially for those with a history of trauma. The truth is, your reactions make sense in the context of your past experiences. When we’ve been through overwhelming situations, our minds and bodies develop survival strategies to protect us, sometimes leading to extreme or conflicting emotions. In this post, we’ll explore why these responses occur and how they are not only normal but adaptive.

Orlando Therapist Shares: Importance of Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community

Written by: Mindful Living Counseling Staff

Come Out With Pride, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit, that host’s Orlando’s annual LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration every October. Orlando is home to one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the Southeast and the largest single-day event in Central Florida!

In honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration happening this month in downtoan Lake Eola we wanted to shed some light on the improtance of mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. Mental health is crucial for overall well-being, particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ community, who often encounter unique challenges and stressors. These challenges can include discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. At Mindful Living Counseling we aim to create a safe and supportive practice where everyone feels valued and understood.

Orlando Therapist: 5 Natural Ways of Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you notice a shift in your mood and energy as the seasons change and the days become shorter and colder? Do you feel tired and down when it gets dark early, sleep longer than usual, or have a low-level feeling of dread? The shorter days force you inside, leaving you feeling lethargic and unmotivated. 

As we head towards the changing of seasons, the days in our part of the world will gradually shorten, leading to less sunlight and warm weather. For people who have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this time change can be particularly challenging. SAD is linked to reduced exposure to sunlight, which affects key chemicals in the brain. According to NIMH - Seasonal Affective Disorder is a drop in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, combined with an overproduction of melatonin, the hormone that controls sleep, which can lead to feelings of depression, fatigue, and overall sluggishness.

So, what are some things that people who struggle with wintertime blues can do to prepare themselves better?

Orlando Therapist Explores the Difference between Physical Trauma & Attachment Trauma

There's been a lot of hype on childhood trauma recently. You could be hearing about betrayal trauma, insecure attachment, or inner child healing from your therapist, on social media, and in everyday conversations. This may prompt you to reflect on your childhood, wondering, "Did I really experience childhood trauma?" You may be unsure whether what you went through is enough to be considered a trauma.

As a trauma therapist in Orlando, I often witness this uncertainty. Some people know that they have experienced trauma in their childhood, while others may be really uncertain.

So, we are going to break down the difference between physical trauma and attachment trauma because they are two different things. While there can certainly be an overlap between these two types of childhood trauma, many people minimize their attachment trauma because they don't understand it as such. However, attachment trauma can have just as big an impact, if not more, as physical trauma.

Orlando Therapist Shares 10 Steps to Heal After After a Toxic Relationship

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Have you just ended a toxic relationship where you constantly felt like you were walking on eggshells? You never knew what to expect next and felt anxious about what might set your partner off. One moment, your toxic partner might have showered you with love and attention, only to turn cold and cruel the next. Maybe a relationship with them made you feel stressed or emotionally drained. They often used gaslighting, guilt-tripping, or emotional blackmail to control you. They manipulated and played mind games, making you question your reality and worth and feel bad about yourself. Additionally, they frequently violated your boundaries, showing little respect for your personal space or needs.

Sometimes, the most sensible decision is to let go of those who have been harmful to us. However, walking away from a relationship is never easy, no matter how destructive and isolating that relationship was.

What is the Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation? And How Do They Help with Mental Health?

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you struggle with anxiety and wonder how mindfulness or meditation can help? There's much talk these days about self-care and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. It seems like everyone is into these practices. Friends, coworkers, and social media influencers are all talking about how mindfulness and meditation have improved their mental health and well-being.

You may have many concerns, such as: "Do I need mindfulness, meditation, or both?" How can I know which type of meditation is right for me? How can these routines help me with my anxiety? You are not alone. Many people who are trying to take charge of their physical and mental health feel overwhelmed when introduced to the terms mindfulness and meditation.

We at Mindful Living Counseling understand your confusion and want to clear that up for you. Allow us to take you through untangling these terms, understanding the difference, and learning how to use mindfulness and meditation to improve your mental health and overall well-being.

Orlando Therapist Shares Emotional Blueprint: Understanding Our Emotional Responses

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

The Heart of Well-Being: Embracing Emotional Health 

I believe at the core of all problems is how we attend to our emotions. This seems like a pretty lofty statement, I know, but with all of the years of being a therapist, I really do believe how we show up for our own emotional health, dictates our overall well-being.

When we disconnect from our emotions, we disconnect from the core of who we are. We end up in situations that don’t align with our personal values and find ourselves in unfulfilling jobs and relationships. We lose touch with ourselves and put our needs and wants on the back burner, don’t engage in nurturing self-care practices, or don’t do things to fill up our cup. We tend to be on autopilot moving through life feeling half empty.

When we tune into our inner world, we tap into our deepest desires and authentic truth. Having access to such wisdom allows us to be true to ourselves, pick personally fulfilling careers, and choose friends and relationships that enrich our lives. 

When we’re tapped in, we know that our emotions are necessary to experience the fullness of life. We allow our emotions to signal to us what we may need at any given moment. We honor our own needs, wants, and desires. We set boundaries and practice self-care because we prioritize our needs and understand that it is our responsibility to ensure our needs are met.

Anxiety Therapist: Overcoming Performance Anxiety with EMDR Therapy

Written by: Lauran Hann, LMHC

Does even the thought of speaking in front of your colleagues or clients fill you with dread? Do your racing heart, sweaty palms, and shaky voice drive you crazy, and yet, there’s nothing you can do to stop it? You may freeze up before every meeting, unable to perform at your best. There's your mind – going blank, making it impossible to concentrate on your presentation or prepare for an important speech. This fear of presenting might have prevented you from advancing in your career. Perhaps you're a gifted athlete who underperforms in crucial games, your muscles tensing as you take the field; or a student who panics during a critical test despite being well-prepared.

If so, you might be struggling with performance anxiety, also known as "stage fright."  

At Mindful Living Counseling, we specialize in helping people with similar challenges overcome these issues. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic approach for treating performance anxiety, helping people reprocess negative thoughts and boost their confidence.

Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Fawn Response

Do you avoid conflict and then regret it later? Or do you say ‘yes’ when you actually want to say ‘no?’ Do you go out of your way to help others and find that your help is a one-way street? If this sounds like you, you might be experiencing the nervous system response of ‘fawning.’ Fawning is a way to stay out of trouble and stay in the ‘good graces’ of those around you. You go to great lengths to avoid disappointing or upsetting others.

In my last blog post, Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Window of Tolerance, I did a deep dive into common nervous system responses. I saved ‘fawning’ as its own article because fawning can present as both hyperarousal and hypoarousal.