Online Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Mindfulness Breath Work & Yoga Trainer

Stress Release Therapy © - Online

Stress impacts on the mind and on the body, creating issues that affect both.  The combined Mind-Body reaction to ongoing stress or trauma causes a heightened internal ‘alarm system’ equating to distress in both Mind and Body where they feed into each other.

Stress Release Therapy provides an online therapeutic approach using CBT, Mindfulness Stress Reduction and Yoga (simple poses and breathwork) to help you overcome Mind-Body Stress. This is available via Online Short-Term Therapy.

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Ann Bracken, MA, Grad.Dip. PG Dip (AMIACP, AMBICA)

Ann Bracken is a highly qualified and accredited Online Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT), Mindfulness Stress Reduction Trainer and Yoga Teacher. She combines the following in her unique approach to supporting Mind-Body stress reduction – via online Stress Release Therapy ©:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) This focuses on creating positive change in how you think, behave and feel in stress triggering situations. It utilizes therapy support sheets to ensure that you can benefit from change on an ongoing basis. It is an evidence-based, solution focused therapeutic approach.
  • Mindfulness Stress Reduction Ann teaches you how to integrate Mindfulness stress reduction approaches alongside CBT to support stress release and to increase the relaxation responses in both Mind and Body.
  • Yoga poses & breath-work Ann shows you particular poses that are specifically aimed to reduce held stress in the body. This physiological release also benefits a calming of the mind.

Stress in the Mind can lead to some of the following symptoms:

  • Racing thoughts that add to anxious feelings
  • Over-estimating the problem and underestimating your ability to cope
  • Seeking constant reassurance from others
  • Difficulty accessing reasonable solutions to issues you are facing
  • Playing ‘worse case scenarios’ over and over in your mind
  • You may find yourself arguing within your internal dialogue or with those around you

Corresponding Stress in the Body can lead to some of the following symptoms:

  • The ‘fight, flight, freeze’ reaction - this creates heightened adrenaline in your body system causing feelings of agitation and nervousness.
  • It can also lead to feelings of ‘numbness’ where you feel disconnected to yourself and those around you.
  • Problems with sleep.
  • Feelings of heightened distress can leave you feeling emotionally and physically very vulnerable. You may be constantly tearful or on the verge of tears.
  • Increased sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Repeated high levels of stress can lead to elevated cortisol and adrenaline in the body, potentially causing; excessive fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure, digestive issues e.g. Irritable bowel syndrome, heart related problems or hormone imbalances – usually you will feel some but not all of these physical symptoms!
  • Behaviours can change with ongoing stress e.g. relationships may suffer or you may find yourself turning to alcohol, food or over-working to distract from feelings. Over time these may cause additional problems e.g. food related issues or depression.
  • Ongoing elevated stress can lead to anxiety; social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic attacks or OCD.

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