Therapy for Stress Management & Relief in St. Paul-Minneapolis 

 

Online Stress Management Counseling Available Online for all of Minnesota

If you’re experiencing stress, you may be telling yourself that everyone is stressed, and you’re not special. You just need to find a way to get through, and you’ll feel better. One of the main sources of stress is the desire to do everything on our own. So, your first tip to start relieving stress is to recognize when it’s time to ask for help. I’m Kathy Johnson, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and I regularly walk alongside people who are suffering under the heavy burden of life’s daily stressors. Stress can feel insurmountable, but when you visit my therapy practice, Tarriance, for counseling, you can start to learn skills that develop your internal and external resources to manage and alleviate stress. On this page, you can find out more about how therapy helps with stress management. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or want to schedule a consultation visit. 

 

What Is Stress?

People are experiencing higher and higher levels of stress. In fact, the U.S. has an annual report that examines specific sources of stress to better understand the rising numbers. It’s no secret that we’re all feeling more stressed, and most people would say they know when they’re stressed even if they struggle to define it. The word stress was borrowed from physics. Stress is the amount of pressure any structure can take before it is weakened, damaged, or destroyed. People are built to take a lot of pressure, but it’s important to recognize the ways that stress is impacting you and take action to alleviate the pressure when necessary.

 

Am I Too Stressed?

Stress can take a serious toll on emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing. In fact, researchers have correlated increased levels of stress with a wide range of concerns from heart disease to depression. Some signs that you’re struggling to manage stress effectively include: 

  • Physical concerns – general aches and pains, muscle stiffness, chest pain, racing heart, high blood pressure, headaches, jaw clenching, weakened immune system, upset stomach, and panic attacks

  • Behavioral concerns – difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, changes in diet, drinking or using substances to numb or improve mood, impulsive decision making, danger seeking, and promiscuity

  • Cognitive concerns – difficulty concentrating, pervasive anxious thinking, and trouble remembering details

  • Emotional concerns – anxiety, mood swings, depression, and panic

 

How Does Therapy Help with Stress?

Life is stressful. It’s unavoidable, but when stress becomes overpowering, it may be time to consider therapy to develop new skills to manage stress. During therapy sessions, we can discuss some of the stressors you’re managing and develop healthy coping mechanisms, including:

  • Setting boundaries 

  • Becoming comfortable with the concept that you are enough, and to know when you have done enough, instead of only striving for the ever unreachable state of perfection

  • Asking for help 

  • Performing mindfulness exercises

  • Practicing self-care (eating right, exercising, sleeping enough)

 

Get Started 

Whether you’re interested in mental health counseling, life coaching, or cross-cultural consulting, you can receive the support and guidance you need at Tarriance. I’m here to support people who want to feel better, do better, and live better – whatever that looks like for you. When you’re ready to begin or you have questions that need answers, I’m here. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, Kathleen “Kathy” Johnson, a counselor serving St. Paul-Minneapolis residents. 

Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if counseling would be a good fit.