Laurie’s Journey: Overcoming Anxiety and 45-Year Secret
Prioritizing My Mental Health: Overcoming My Anxiety Disorder And Recovering From A Secret Kept Over 45 Years – Laurie
Content Warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include abuse which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Free support is available 24/7.
The following is an honest review from a real ReachLink client.
Over 40 million US adults live with an anxiety disorder, which is the most common mental illness worldwide. For many, therapy is the first line of defense against anxiety symptoms, and many people have shared their stories to offer hope to others living with similar experiences. If you’re living with anxiety, consider reading Laurie’s story to understand how telehealth therapy benefited her.
My mental health journey: Overcoming my anxiety disorder through telehealth counseling
The following is an honest review from a real ReachLink client named Laurie:
“Like so many others, my anxiety prevented me from seeking face-to-face therapy. I could never imagine sitting down with someone and opening up about myself and what I have been through. So, I was initially skeptical when a friend recommended ReachLink’s telehealth services.
Having never done therapy before, I thought, “What harm could it do?” I knew I needed to talk to someone about the issues I was going through because I was headed downhill quickly. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t concentrate—I was spinning in circles.
How my telehealth journey to battle stress, anxiety, and trauma began
When I first signed up for therapy through ReachLink, I felt lost and out of place. I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere, and everything was overwhelming. I had anxiety, family stress, work stress, trauma, and past abuse issues. I had just returned home from being away for three months taking care of my parents. When I returned home, I didn’t feel like I fit in as my world stood still for three months, but my husband’s and son’s lives continued while I went back to work and felt the same way. I didn’t feel like I fit in there, even though I’d worked there for 26 years. My boss treated me differently, and I felt he was punishing me for being away.
Letting go of the secret I held with me for 45 years
To add to the situation, after I returned home, I told my husband about a secret I had held for 45 years, which had changed my life. A brother sexually abused me for four years, and I never told anyone because of his threats. Finally, with all the stress I was under, I had a breakdown, and everything came out.
Setting goals with my licensed clinical social worker: Overcoming my anxiety
My work with my ReachLink counselor, Sarah Thompson, has helped me confront these issues and many others that have appeared along the way. I have been working with Sarah for about 19 months, and she has been excellent and helpful in my recovery process. Sarah has worked with me using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist me in thinking differently about my situation. She provides me with worksheets to complete, gives me resources to look at, and suggests books to read. As a result, I have learned to be more patient when reacting to certain situations instead of initially responding critically.
The “Laurie” I am today
I am a different person now than when I signed up 19 months ago. I have found my voice and can speak up for myself now. I still have anxiety issues, but they are not half as bad as they once were.
My confidence level is also better than it ever has been. I have done things during my counseling that I never thought in a million years I could do. Most of all, I learned to not worry about what others think of me, as I have learned to think more highly of myself.”
Telehealth counseling options: Addressing physical symptoms, mental health, and emotional challenges
Therapy can make an enormous difference in your life. Online cognitive behavioral therapy, mentioned in Laurie’s review, has been clinically proven to help people with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Telehealth therapy is also discreet, and many people say they can open up in video sessions in a way they may be unable to do in person.
ReachLink’s platform connects you with licensed clinical social workers who specialize in the concerns you’re experiencing. With our comprehensive telehealth approach, you can engage in secure video sessions from the comfort of your home, eliminating barriers like travel time, waiting rooms, and the anxiety that can come with in-person visits.
Takeaway
Laurie’s story showcases how telehealth therapy can address a multitude of mental health concerns, including relationship challenges, work stress, anxiety, and traumatic memories. Our licensed clinical social workers are trained to provide evidence-based support for these and many other issues. If you’re interested in exploring how telehealth therapy might help you, consider reaching out to ReachLink to connect with a licensed clinical social worker who can guide you on your mental health journey.
