Even when everything feels harder than it should be you can find your footing again.
Therapy for overthinking, emotional overwhelm, and relationship stress for adults in Waukesha and across Wisconsin
“Why can’t I just change?”
Over time, this may stop feeling like something that passes on its own and start feeling like a pattern you keep getting pulled back into.
Maybe this has been going on for months or even years. Your mind rarely slows down. You overthink situations, feel anxious when things are uncertain, and struggle to feel settled when you don't know what will happen next.
You may find yourself replaying conversations, running through different outcomes, or trying to mentally prepare for every possibility so you don't feel caught off guard. Even when you want to let things go, your mind keeps returning to them.
And it's not just happening in your head. You may notice anxiety showing up in your body, emotions that feel difficult to sit with, or a growing sense of frustration when you can't seem to think or feel your way out of a situation.
In relationships, these patterns can look different. You might pull away when things feel uncertain or emotionally intense, find yourself caught in recurring arguments, or struggle to repair a connection after conflict. You may want closeness while also feeling anxious about how others will respond or what might happen next.
Sometimes, trying to keep things predictable or under control can feel like the only way to manage the discomfort. But the more energy you spend anticipating problems, managing your reactions, or trying to prevent difficult feelings, the more exhausting it can become.
But you’re still feeling…
Your mind rarely slows down. You overthink conversations, second-guess decisions, or struggle to be present because you're already thinking about what might happen next.
Small things can feel mentally exhausting. Everyday decisions, uncertainty, or unexpected changes can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or frustrated with yourself.
Your emotions can feel difficult to sit with. You might try to push feelings away, distract yourself, or find a way to make them stop rather than knowing how to work through them.
You want closeness, but relationships can feel complicated. You may worry about how others perceive you, struggle to express what you need, or find yourself pulling away when emotions run high.
Boundaries can be difficult to navigate. You may struggle to say no, advocate for yourself, or tolerate the discomfort that comes with someone else being unhappy with your choices.
The same relationship patterns keep showing up. Arguments escalate, withdrawal creates distance, or conflict leaves you feeling disconnected and unsure how to repair things.
You want things to change, but you're not sure how. You may understand your patterns intellectually and still find yourself repeating them when anxiety or intense emotions take over.
Over time, this can turn into a cycle: overthinking leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to trying to control or avoid uncertainty, and that often leads to conflict or emotional distance in relationships, which brings you back into more overthinking.
Learning to respond differently, not just think differently
We work on the specific moments where you tend to get stuck, such as replaying conversations, becoming emotionally flooded, or feeling pulled into urgency in relationships. Instead of staying inside those loops, you learn how to notice what is happening internally and shift your response.
You will learn practical skills to recognize emotional intensity earlier, make sense of what you are experiencing, tolerate uncertainty, and respond more effectively in relationships when things feel stressful or uncertain.
Together, we work on both acceptance and change so you can understand what’s happening internally without getting pulled into it, and practice responding differently when overthinking or emotional intensity shows up.
Learn how to respond intentionally
Notice when you are getting pulled into overthinking or emotional escalation earlier in the moment
Step out of mental loops instead of getting stuck replaying conversations or outcomes
Tolerate uncertainty without immediately trying to resolve it in your mind or relationships
Respond more intentionally during emotional or relational stress instead of reacting automatically
Communicate more clearly so emotions do not take over conversations or decisions
Feel more steady and less overwhelmed by your internal experience over time
You don’t have to stay stuck in the same patterns. You can start living, not just existing.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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When you are overwhelmed, your body usually shows signs before you can even put words into what you are feeling. Common body sensations include: fatigue, muscle tension, brain fog, sleep problems, headaches or stomach issues (loss of appetite, over eating, or nausea).
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People can have difficulties because they are feeling so many emotions at one time. Most identify depression and anxiety as being their biggest concern, but often someone is also experiencing anger, shame, or fear while dealing with stressors that affect their mood. This may be due to trauma, substance use, relationship issues, etc. I have worked with individuals struggling with all of these. They don’t scare me.
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Typically people will notice the intensity and frequency of their symptoms reducing. Things that used to feel unbearable, now may be frustrating or disappointing. You may also notice that there isn’t as much to talk about as you once did, or you feel more time between sessions would be better. This is all a great sign that you’re using skills and life is feeling more manageable and balanced.
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Before and since my licensure, over 14 years, I have trained and helped facilitate groups for individuals struggling with varying degrees of emotion overwhelm. Individuals I have seen in my practice have included those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. I continue to regularly attend trainings for therapies focused on treatments for those disorders.
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Schedule a free consultation — Book Now