Lorena (Rena) House (she/her)

Anxiety can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms, such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, constant worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can be overwhelming, making daily life challenging. However, overcoming anxiety often begins with recognizing these signs and understanding that they are a stress response.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is marked by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. These symptoms can lead to avoidance of situations or places that remind one of the trauma, emotional numbness, and heightened reactivity, making daily life challenging.

Depression is a pervasive mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed. Symptoms may also include fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty concentrating, and even physical pain.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The central idea of CBT is that our thoughts can significantly influence how we feel and behave. For instance, if someone consistently has negative thoughts about themselves or their situation, they are more likely to experience negative emotions and engage in behaviors that reinforce those thoughts.

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that integrates the mind and body in the healing process, particularly for trauma and stress-related conditions. Unlike traditional talk therapies that primarily focus on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy emphasizes the physical experiences and sensations in the body as a pathway to healing.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a type of therapy used to help people who have experienced very upsetting events, often called trauma. These events can be so distressing that they cause ongoing emotional pain, like in PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for various mental health challenges.