Professional counselors therapists in Soldotna and Homer, that specialize in anxiety counseling.
Believe it or not, many people struggle with anxiety. It is actually a completely normal emotion. In fact, there are times when it can serve us well. A little bit of anxiety can be motivating and can ensure we are well prepared to attend to the task at hand. For example, feeling anxious about an upcoming presentation will typically motivate someone to prepare well, so that they perform well. We don’t love anxiety. It doesn’t feel great. But a little bit of it can serve us. Too much anxiety, on the other hand, can feel paralyzing, and can make it incredibly difficult to do everyday things, like attend social events or concentrate at work.
Our KPMH providers in Homer and Soldotna know how terrible anxiety can feel, and how limiting it can be. We know that the experience of anxiety is an embodied one. One where hearts pound, palms sweat, heads swirl and breathing becomes difficult. We know how awful it can feel, and we’re here to help! Many of the symptoms we often see people struggle with when they’re wrestling with anxiety include: excessive worry, feelings of agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, trouble falling or staying asleep, panic attacks, avoidance of social situations, and irrational fears.
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Daniela Kopec - LPC-S
Daniela has over 15 years of experience working as a counselor in the mental health field. Though she has experience working with clients across the life span, she has found that she is most passionate about walking alongside those that have experienced trauma, addressing the symptoms of anxiety and depression that are often co-ocurring. Daniela believes in utilizing an integrative approach to health and wellness that looks at mind, body and spirt, and is motivated to give people the tools to develop their inner strength and confidence to make the changes they desire. Native to the Soldotna community, Daniela has called Alaska home for many years.
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Mary Kuepper - LPC-S
Mary has over a decade of experience working in community based mental health. Though she has worked with people across the lifespan, she specializes in work with kids, teens and families, as well as in maternal mental health. Mary is passionate about giving people the tools they need to not only function well, but to thrive in their everyday life. Though not native to Alaska, she has fallen in love with the abundant resources of this beautiful place. When not working with clients, Mary can be found adventuring, hiking and exploring. She loves to fly fish our local creeks, dig in the dirt of her backyard garden, and get in quality time with her friends, and beautiful family.
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Autumn Collings - LMFT, LPC
Autumn is passionate about showing up with others in a way that allows them to feel deeply seen and truly known. She believes authenticity and connection are at the heart of meaningful therapeutic work, and is committed to showing up honestly and inviting her clients to do the same. She loves bringing creativity to her sessions and often offers hands-on learning opportunities for her clients, something that comes naturally to her given her history of coaching softball and being a collegiate athlete. Autumn loves to be outdoors, and enjoys fishing, hiking, and hunting.
What you can expect from anxiety counseling.
At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health , you can expect a comprehensive approach to treat the anxiety you’re dealing with. You and your provider will work together to understand, not just how to manage the symptoms, but to address them at their root cause. Effectively and comprehensively addressing anxiety with KPMH providers may include, but is not limited to:
Psycho-education and brain based science to help you understand what’s happening with anxiety on a physiological level.
Coping skills to support you in managing your symptoms of anxiety when they arise.
Ongoing discussion and evaluation of lifestyle choices that may be contributing to or exacerbating your symptoms. Areas of exploration may include:
Sleep
Diet/ nutrition
Supplementation
Exercise/ movement
Connectedness (time with family, friends)
Play
Time in nature
Self care
Exploration and treatment of life events or unresolved traumas that may be at the root of the anxiety you experience.
A practical and effective self-care plan to support you in staying ahead of anxiety and effectively managing your symptoms prior to them becoming overwhelming and unmanageable.
Can specialized counseling for anxiety really help?
If the challenges identified above sound like you, or anyone you know, and are keeping you or yours from experiencing life fully, and with a sense of calm and connection, counseling may be helpful. At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health, our providers in Soldotna and Homer are going to work with and for you to understand and treat not only the symptoms you’re experiencing, but what might be underlying them. Unresolved trauma, negative core beliefs, and unhelpful automatic thoughts are just a few of the culprits that are often at the root of anxiety. Exacerbating factors, such as being chronically under-slept, poor diet, inefficient supplementation, lack of movement, and too much technology use, usually make things worse. Any of that sound familiar? If so, please reach out. We’re here to help, and we would be honored to to come alongside and support you on your journey to emotional health and wellness.
How long does professional counseling typically last?
The length of time an individual is in counseling is situation specific and can vary. However, KPMH clinicians in Soldotna and Homer are passionate about giving our clients the tools and skills they need to thrive and function well. We will cast a wide net at the onset, looking for all the variables that may be contributing to your anxiety. We will build skills for managing symptoms and explore root causes that may be underlying your distress. We will take as little or as much time as you need, but we will do our very best to get you back about the business of living your life.
How do I get started with counseling services?
Ready to get started? Call or email us today. Our contact info is at the bottom of this page.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding and admin guru will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. We will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
KPMH uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
Where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at KPMH, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
KPMH’s Soldotna office is conveniently located near the intersection of the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. Our Homer location is centrally located as well. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.