With Tracy Douglas: Your GenX Therapist in Janesville, WI, and Online Across Wisconsin and Texas
Anxiety is a fuel that burns dirty.
You just cannot stop seeing problems EVERYWHERE you look.
You try and try to anticipate and solve them, but as soon as you manage one at home with your kids, another six come barreling at you at work!
You hold the reins of your life so bloody tightly, feeling the need to control everything and, dare I say, everyone, too, just to eke out some semblance of safety.
All the while you’ve got that insidious inner critic screaming at you constantly pointing out all the ways you’ve fucked up and are a fuck up and always will be.
And why for the love of all that is holy does it have to happen in the dead of night leaving you writhing sleepless in your bed??? You just want to scream at the top of your lungs, “STOP! MERCY!!!”
Anxiety, at its very core, is a loss of some type of connection with yourself, others, or the world at large. It’s made up of a mixture of grief, pain, and helplessness that must be recognized and cared for.
Doing so in the presence of a skilled, caring mental health therapist can help you heal deeply so you can have clarity around what you can and can’t control, inner peace that others around you will feel radiating from you, and joy as you loosen the reins and enjoy the ride of your life!
I gotta be honest. One of my strengths is a finely-tuned, far more accurate than not intuition and I usually can tell within a few minutes if it’s likely that anxiety is plaguing someone.
And when that spidey-sense tingles, my heart melts. I’ve got a special place in my heart for those who suffer from this condition because I overcame my own challenges with anxiety that had origins in trauma and high pressure environments when I was a client in therapy myself.
I know that anxiety is far, far more than just worrying or stress. It can be really fuck with your life.
I’m grateful to have achieved a lot that I’m proud of in my diverse careers and my full personal life, so I feel especially equipped to help my beloved clients banish their own anxiety demons and reclaim lives of authenticity filled with ease and peace.
I began attending therapeutic services with Tracy for couples counseling. Instantly, I knew she was going to be a good fit for me as she provided a safe and friendly environment. Unfortunately, my marriage was not successful so couples counseling ended.
Tracy was wonderful and agreed to take me on for individual therapy sessions. I have been going to her ever since. I have suffered with anxiety for most of my life and I do not think I could have made it through a lot of life events without the support Tracy gave me. She guided me through a divorce, post-partum, sharing custody of my child, co-parenting, an unhealthy relationship, family issues, medical diagnoses, and career obstacles. I would not be the mother, person, or professional I am today if it was not for her.
She provides a nurturing and transparent approach that made me feel safe talking about some difficult things. She never made me feel like I was being judged or criticized. She gave me the skills I needed to strive today.
My anxiety has decreased significantly, and I am using coping skills in a way I never could before. I like myself again and found the version of me I knew I could be. Due to everything I have stated before, I would refer Tracy to anyone and everyone that I could think of.
I believe she has the skills to help anyone who graces her therapy room. I know she would match her style to the needs of whoever she is providing services to, and they would feel nothing but safe and comfortable with her. I would follow her wherever she went, and I am sure many others who have gone to her for therapy would do the same.
And there is no one that I believe could provide me with better services than Tracy. So, for me, I either go to Tracy or I don’t receive therapeutic services because no one could even come close to comparing to her.
I was struggling with both my personal and professional matters and needed help combating my high anxiety and stress.
I began working with Tracy in early 2020. After the first few sessions, our appointments were switched to telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was nervous as to how I could fully reap the benefits of therapy without in person connection. Tracy was able to make each session personal and comfortable, regardless of the computer screen between us. In the midst of social isolation, it was invaluable to be able to connect and work with Tracy.
When I returned to in person appointments, the relationship, trust, and rapport we had built transferred seamlessly. Tracy creates a safe environment where I feel seen, heard, valued. She holds space for me to unload and process. Tracy has helped me identify the sources of my stress and anxiety and develop positive coping skills. She has worked with me to deconstruct the negative beliefs. I had about myself and helped me to build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Tracy has guided me through tough work situations and has helped brainstorm possible solutions. I truly feel Tracy cares about every aspect of my life, and aims to support me in each facet.
The trajectory of my life has changed becausee of the work I’ve been able to do with Tracy. I am no longer paralyzed by fear of the future or unknown. I have newfound courage to pursue my dreams. I understand the value of self-care and maintaining boundaries. I am confident that I would not be the person I am today without her valuable guidance and encouragement.
The time I’ve spent with Tracy has been transformative. I’ve had a handful of counselors through the years, and they all helped to some degree, yet I felt no different. I knew more about myself, but I didn’t feel different until I began working with Tracy.
To simply state my own journey, I’ve been looking to open a deeper emotional connection within myself and others. To stop being afraid and to reconcile the trauma and abuse I suffered in childhood. The progress I’ve made from being unable to mention or acknowledge what happened to being able to mention it here is proof of her amazing work. I would not be the person I am today without her, and I wonder if I would even be here to write this if not for her.
She’s exactly what her client needs when they need it. Whether that’s a by the book therapist one day to a friend to cry with the next, she adapts and innovates on the fly, only to the comfort level one can tolerate in the moment. What I do know is that I am always getting her best and the best care possible.
I could fill pages of praise, lines and lines of commendation, but the summary of it all would be that Tracy Douglas is a one in a million therapist. I wholeheartedly recommend Tracy with full confidence that she will help others with the same kindness and care she has provided not only to myself but countless others.
A Quiz for Those Who Wonder If They Might Have Anxiety
At the root of all anxiety is the grief of losing some type of connection.
Anxiety disorders are actually the most common mental health challenges in the U.S. If you struggle with three or more of the following, an anxiety disorder might be present.
Click any question to learn more.
Uncontrollable, excessive worry is such an awful hallmark symptom of anxiety disorders. The amygdala, the brain’s fear center, may be overactive, leading to a heightened sense of threat and constant worry about potential negative outcomes.
It’s so hard to make a decision because when you do, it feels like no matter what it is, you’re setting yourself up for a fall. You feel like you’re going crazy and you worry if you’re driving everyone else around you crazy, too, and zoooommmm, you’re off and running on a shitty anxiety spiral.
Isn’t it time to break free from this cycle and experience the liberating power of a calmer, more confident you?
Anxiety often manifests physically. The “fight-or-flight” response triggered by anxiety can lead to increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, sweating, and dizziness.
Here are some of the ways some of my beloved clients describe anxiety.
What if these physical symptoms are actually a doorway to resolving your anxiety? Could learning to listen to your body’s signals through therapy be the key to unlocking a calmer state of mind?
Avoidance is sooo seductive, isn’t it? It gives you the illusion that you’re in control and THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE AS LONG AS YOU DON’T GO THERE!!! (“There” being any situations and/or places and/or people that evoke anxiety and fear.)
Some of us will flat out avoid going to things we really want to go to, but are worried we’ll make an ass of ourselves or won’t know how to interact with others. Some of us run as far away from our problems as possible, but can never escape.
But the truth is, those places and faces you fear are like shadows – the more you run from them, the bigger they loom. Are you really willing to trade a temporary comfort for a life lived only in the shadows? Reach out and let’s talk.
Panic attacks can feel like a monstrous wave crashing over you. Your heart thunders in your chest, you absolutely cannot catch your breath, and the world spins into a terrifying kaleidoscope leaving you helpless as the panic grips your whole body and being.
The first one is a terrifying initiation, but the ones that follow hold a special kind of dread – you’ve been warned, you’ve been told to “just hang on,” yet in the throes of panic, that knowledge feels like a whisper lost in a hurricane.
But what if, amidst the storm, lies a hidden strength? Are you ready to learn how to weather these waves and find the calm within the chaos?
Anxiety feels like trying to run across a razor blade tightrope. Your body is primed for dangers, your nerves frantic, and the tiniest misstep feels as if it could bring your whole world crashing down around you.
This relentless tension twists you into a barbwire ball of irritability that makes you short tempered and hypercritical with family and colleagues. You find you simply cannot sit still because if you do, you fear you’ll be buried by an avalanche of worries.
Wouldn’t it be liberating to finally step off the tightrope and experience a life grounded in peace?
Anxiety can significantly disrupt sleep, turning your nights into a battleground of worry. Constant fretting and racing thoughts become relentless drill sergeants, keeping you up long after your head hits the pillow.
Sleep, once restorative, becomes frustratingly elusive, leaving you dragging through your days exhausted and foggy. But what if restful sleep wasn’t a distant dream? Imagine waking up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to tackle the day with a clear mind.
Are you ready to reclaim your nights and experience the power of a good night’s sleep?
Needing constant reassurance is a hallmark of social anxiety disorder. The fear of rejection is a threat lurking in every interaction. You crave validation from others, a constant “you’re okay” to quiet the myriad doubts swirling inside.
This might manifest in revisiting old arguments, replaying every word in your head, searching for signs of lingering tension. Your endless “are we okay?” questions become a desperate plea for security, but ironically, they push your partner further away.
What if there was a way to build security from within? Wouldn’t it be a gamechanger to trust your own judgment and navigate social situations with confidence?
Anxiety can turn your brain into a malfunctioning radio. The station you want – focus and concentration – keeps getting interrupted by bursts of static – worry, doubt, and what-ifs.
You try to tune it in, but the static overpowers your efforts. Simple tasks become frustrating marathons, leaving you feeling exhausted and defeated.
But what if you could silence the static and finally hear the clear signal of your thoughts rooted in your authenticity and your strength? You could move effortlessly through your day with a calm mind, the ability to focus on what matters, and the satisfaction of following through on your goals.
How lovely does that sound? Reach out and Book a Consultation
People with anxiety often find themselves living on high alert. Hypervigilance turns the world into a sensory minefield, with every sound or unexpected movement a potential threat.
A car backfires, and you flinch like someone just screamed “fire!” A knock at the door feels like it could trigger a cardiac event. Even minor stimuli, like someone closing a book with gusto, triggers a jumpy response.
And it all leaves you feeling exhausted and on edge. You can break free from this state of constant vigilance. Therapy can help you experience the world with a sense of calm, feeling safe and secure.
How amazing would it feel to be free from the hyperaware state of high alert? Reach out and Book a Consultation
Anxiety is a relentless energy vampire, its fangs latching onto you, draining your physical and mental energies. You find yourself constantly fatigued, even after the most minimal activity. Simple tasks feel monumental and your motivation is sapped by the constant worry.
It’s pretty mind-boggling how much work an anxiety-haunted brain is doing. Therapy can help you sever the connection so you can heal and redirect your energy towards creating peace and joy in your life.
Isn’t it time to cut off the anxiety vampire and reclaim your vitality? Reach out and Book a Consultation
Many people who experience Anxiety also struggle with other mental health concerns, including:
Reach out to ask me anything, book a free consult, or get started today.
In-person therapy in Janesville, WI, and online telehealth across Wisconsin and Texas.
My Janesville Therapy Office is located at:
4539 Woodgate Drive, Suite A8
Janesville, WI 53546
Monday – Thursday
7:00am – 12:00pm CST
Friday
7:00 am – 10:00 pm CST
Saturday – Sunday
Closed
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