The majority of my therapy clients are agents of change (community organizers, advocates, providers, artists, etc.), because these are my people. My entire life I have been involved in the social justice movement and later the mental health field, and I have experienced and witnessed my people getting burnt out or getting sick. Agents of change...you need therapy!!! By seeking therapy, you are taking steps towards not only healing yourself, but also the world. The world needs you to be healthy! Click here to read more about me and my work.
Agents of change often struggle with stress because of the sense of responsibility for changing the world. We fill our "plate" too full and further stress about finding balance. Often, this sense of responsibility for changing the world leads to anxiety, because we are focused on the future "what ifs." We often set very high self-expectations and become both anxious about achieving expectations and about being "enough." Often, anxiety and stress are connected to inner-criticism and also burnout. We sacrifice ourselves for the cause and burn out quickly, or experience health problems. Click here to read more potential symptoms or challenges that I address.
Learning self-love, self-compassion, and balance are essential in sustaining us and our important work.
Signs of anxiety include excessive worry, tension, ruminating thoughts, compulsive thinking, being easily fatigued, muscle tightness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Anxiety can also cause headaches, digestive problems (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome), high blood pressure, etc.). In his book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle writes about compulsive thinking being addictive because we no longer have the choice to stop and because it gives us a false sense of pleasure, that turns into pain. There are various ways to reduce anxiety and stress, including mindfulness stress reduction, meditation (especially guided meditation), and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). CBT includes self-talk, affirmations, and ways to check possible unrealistic thoughts. Many people experience relief from anxiety with medication. I suggest shopping around for a good psychiatrist if going the medication route. I am not a doctor. I encourage folks to do research on side effects, including tapering off. There are also many alternative medicines that have a history of success, such as acupuncture, exercise, ayurvedic medicine, diet, etc.
Let's join together in your healing journey and to make social change together. I am currently conducting virtual therapy in Oakland, California. Contact me here to schedule a 20-minute consultation.
Find me on Instagram: @rosinamft