Discover how starting anxiety therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Bastrop
As a woman, mother, and counselor living in today's modern society, I understand the difficulties of navigating the ever-changing ...
About
As a woman, mother, and counselor living in today's modern society, I understand the difficulties of navigating the ever-changing and challenging world in which we live.
Melissa Stevens is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 11 years of experience in the mental health field. She is dedicated and passionate when it comes to helping children, teens, adults, and families work through issues related to self-harm, suicidal tendencies and thoughts, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, relationship issues, and major life transitions.
Melissa completed her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has spent most of her career working with adults as they transition through different stages of life, helping to navigate life’s many challenging situations, as well as serving young people aged 6-19 . She is truly passionate about what she does and takes pride in her ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Melissa uses an integrative approach to working with her clients that focuses on using what best suits each client. The modalities she often uses consist of person-centered (PCT, Rogerian) methods, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), solutions-focused (SFT) therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), art and music therapy, relational, faith-based, and family systems therapy (FST).
We could all use someone to help us talk through and navigate these difficult and challenging situations we are often faced with. If you, your child, or your family are ready to move towards a stronger sense of self-actualization and self-determination in a comfortable, safe, and judgment-free zone, schedule your appointment with Melissa today.
Education and training
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We all have a story to tell. Let me be the one to help you navigate through your story, in a therapeutic, compassionate, and empat...
We all have a story to tell. Let me be the one to help you navigate through your story, in a therapeutic, compassionate, and empathetic way.
Valerie Posas, PsyD, is a highly dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has over 10 years of extensive experience in counseling people from diverse backgrounds, and in various settings. Dr. Posas is a native of Texas, but she spent 13 years in California and in traveling the world to complete various mental health trainings. She worked for the California Department State Hospital, as a Senior Psychologist Specialist, from 2015-2021. While at the State Hospital, Dr. Posas completed various trainings required for the forensic work setting, including extensive trauma-informed care trainings, and she utilized her trainings to train other staff members about the importance of trauma-informed care. Therefore, Dr. Posas has a great passion for trauma work and helping individuals heal their trauma. Her professional background includes education and clinical experiences that have focused on mental health, behavior, and learning.
Dr. Posas completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication Studies at the University of Texas. She completed both her Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology, with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Psychology, and her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Applied Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Prior to making the decision to enter the field of psychology, Dr. Posas completed the Post Baccalaureate course requirements in Special Education and Bilingual Education at the University of Texas-Austin. Although she was initially looking forward to a career in the field of education, Dr. Posas's personal and professional experiences, during that time and prior, led to the desire and ultimately the outcome of furthering her education in the field of psychology.
Dr. Posas specializes in trauma work and her primary goal is to help people heal their bodies, minds, and souls. She is aware of the importance of knowing what trauma is, knowing how trauma impacts individuals differently, knowing about the biological responses to trauma, and knowing how trauma can lead to various behaviors. With a greater understanding of trauma, Dr. Posas approaches each individual client with compassion and empathy, and she takes on a more eclectic approach to therapy, which allows her to utilize various theoretical orientations and techniques to address each individual client’s needs.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My approach to working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety is to identify why they are anxious and explored the cognitive processes involved in the anxiety.
I teach the following clients who are experiencing anxiety how to remain calm in the situation by using mindfulness strategies and breathing techniques. Once they have calmed down then they can explore the emotions/thoughts that they have experiences and decide which ones that they would like to either change or let go of.
I know then a client is making progress with their anxiety by self-report that their symptoms have either lessened or become more manageable.
Clients can supplement their time outside of session though the use of journaling and Socratic questioning regarding their anxiety. Socratic questioning helps clients move out of their emotional state and into a logical state.
Client's can prepare for their first session for their anxiety by making some goals on what they would like to see different for themselves.
Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Bastrop, TX can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day anxiety or your anxiety disorder.
Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Bastrop therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.
One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be incredibly effective in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. Other effective techniques include exposure therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR therapy.
Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.
On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.
Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.
At Thriveworks Bastrop, we will work through the anxiety issues you’re struggling with and help you develop practices to help relive that anxiety, so you can stand tall, confident and ready to tackle life’s obstacles.
We can help with your anxiety levels—give use call or schedule with us today and get started.
In the session you have with your Thriveworks provider, they will get to know you, talk about your struggles and talk about the sort of anxiety you may be dealing with.
Types of anxiety disorders include:
We want to help you live with a happier, more fulfilling and relaxed state of mind.
Some of the treatment options for anxiety that are available at Thriveworks may include:
There’s no reason to face your anxiety on your own. Consulting with a professional, caring therapist: Call Thriveworks Bastrop today at 512-521-3243 and find relief from fear and worry, or schedule online.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in CT
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