Anxiety

Anxiety disorders, characterized predominantly by excessive fear, are relatively common in America.


General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and unreasonable worrying about everyday life events, such as finances and health. To qualify as generalized anxiety, the fears must be irrational and interfere with everyday life. Symptoms include excessive, ongoing and uncontrollable worry for most days over at least 6 months and:

  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Trembling
  • Being easily startled
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Frequent restroom use
  • Sweating
  • Headaches
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle tension

Effective types of treatments

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective approach for GAD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients to recognize negative behaviors and thoughts and replace them with positive ones.


Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry (obsessions) that cause an individual to feel the need to engage in acts called compulsions for relief (ie. excessive washing or cleaning, repeated checking, aversion to particular numbers, and nervous rituals). For diagnosis, an individual must have obsessions, compulsions, or both. The following are other symptoms that may be seen with OCD:

  • Dry skin from excessive hand washing
  • Distress when items are not organized a certain way
  • Doubts about whether safety measures were taken, such as turning off stove or locking doors
  • Fear of contamination when interacting with objects and people
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger obsessions or symptoms of compulsions
  • Checking items repeatedly, such as door locks
  • Counting in certain patterns
  • Excessive cleaning and bathing

Effective types of treatments

Obsessive-compulsive disorder responds well to a cognitive-behavioral therapy strategy called exposure and response prevention or ERP ; this involves gradually learning to tolerate the anxiety associated with not performing the ritual behavior by providing the individual new ways to cope with the stress brought-on by obsessions.


Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by sudden and repeated attacks of unexpected and overwhelming fear. The attacks last several minutes and are characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger. Other symptoms include:

  • Worrying about the onset of another attack
  • Avoidance of places where prior attacks occurred
  • Physical symptoms during attacks, such as: dizziness, tingling, numbness, racing heart, sweating, weakness; and chest or stomach pain

Effective types of treatments

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is most effective in treating panic disorder. The therapist recreates panic attack symptoms in a safe setting to help the patient feel less threatened by the attacks.


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder with characteristic symptoms that can develop after the direct experience of an extremely traumatic stressor such as the threat of a violent death or serious injury. Symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks
  • Dreams about traumatic event
  • Emotional numbness
  • Memory disturbances
  • Difficulty maintaining close relationships
  • Self-destructive behaviors
  • Audio or visual hallucinations
  • Guilt or shame
  • Irritability or anger

Effective types of treatments

PTSD responds best to a combination of medication and therapy. Effective therapies include: cognitive therapy, exposure therapy; and a combination of exposure therapy and eye movements called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).


Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a discomfort or a fear when a person is in social interactions that involve a concern about being judged or evaluated by others. It is characterized by an intense fear of what others are thinking (specifically fear of embarrassment, criticism, or rejection), which results in an individual feeling insecure, and that they are not good enough for other people. Symptoms include:

  • Self-consciousness
  • Fear of judgment
  • Difficultly making eye contact
  • Fear of others noticing the anxiety
  • Avoidance of social situations
  • Physical symptoms include: blushing, sweating, upset stomach, nausea, rapid heartbeat, shaky voice, muscle tension, diarrhea, confusion and trembling

Effective types of treatments

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is proven to be an effective type of treatment for social anxiety. CBT methods include learning to recognize negative thoughts and changing them to positives, and exposure therapy, such as role-playing social situations and providing individuals with tools to remain calm.

Client Testimonial #6
I personally recommend Kim. My experience of Kim is that she has that special, unique ability to combine personal experience, authenticity and growth with professionalism. Her willingness to be real with her clients as well as her ability to combine creativity and insight into her work is a true gift. I am confident in Kim and her work.
Professional Colleague Jean Dixon, LPC
Client Testimonial #5
I have had the pleasure of knowing Kim Saltzman in both a personal and professional capacity for over ten years. Kim is a gifted and insightful therapist who skillfully uses her professional training, Christian faith and life experience to assist her clients. Kim is one of the most exceptional counselors I have met and I highly recommend her.
Professional Colleague
Lois Thomson Bowersock, LCDC
Client Testimonial #4
Kim exemplifies someone who truly is in counseling because she has a genuine heart to see people healed and restored. Her empathy and compassion speaks volumes about her and makes her so easy to talk to and trust. Trust is something that has never come easily to me but Kim sets up an atmosphere that puts me at ease and gives me the space to talk with freedom. Her mastery and understanding of current therapy techniques has helped to change and restore my life! I owe so much of my recovery to Kim and she truly helped to save my life from the pit. I have learned from Kim that there is always hope for recovery and healing and it is okay to make mistakes and not be perfect. Kim never judges nor condemns and shows me grace and compassion even when I don’t deserve it. She is definitely a blessing from the Lord!!!!
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #3
Kim has an amazing way of helping you realize the truth that is already in you. She helped me to see the reality of my codependent relationship with an addict. I stayed in the relationship because I couldn't fathom living without him. Kim not only helped me to find the inner strength to get through that lost relationship, but I am now grateful for it! Kim has helped me discover the tools necessary to deal with things that life throws at me in a healthy way. I would not be where I am today without her help! Her easygoing and caring nature makes me feel comfortable sharing the things that I have kept to myself for years, and with her wisdom and insight I have learned to deal with these things that hidden, have been hurting me for so long.
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #2
My connection with Kim was immediate. I found someone that truly identified with the problem I was facing. I received immediate feedback during each of my sessions. How refreshing when you have had prior counselors prompt you to talk about yourself for an hour only to tell you “time is up, good work, and when can you come in next.” My only regret is the loss of time and money spent on two other counselors before I found Kim.
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #1
When I first sought treatment for my eating disorder and addiction to self-harm, I was terrified of being dismissed by a professional as a “fake who was not truly sick.” Kim did nothing but affirm my decision to get help before things escalated further though. From our first session onward, she has been a beacon of light: shinning God’s truth and hope into the overwhelming darkness of addiction. She’s encouraged me through rough patches; celebrated milestones with me; firmly held me accountable in the most loving of ways possible; and maintained a steadfast honesty with me, regardless of the truth being something I wanted to hear verses something I needed to hear. With strength from God and guidance from Kim, I’ve begun climbing my way out of the hole of my struggles.
Anonymous Client