Life Recovery counseling should have a tapering frequency and an endpoint at which significant progress over life-limiting fears and other obstacles has been achieved and new skills, competencies, and knowledge have been established. If life long rehashing of or experience of the same issues and medication to control symptoms are required, one might question the therapeutic value.
A woman and I have been working through a very difficult transition for her for 2 months. It has brought significant anxiety rooted in fear over uncertain finances, many new responsibilities and new systems to navigate with the transition. Some recommended an anti-anxiety medication. That’s not my “go-to” counsel. And, though it did become part of the formula in consultation with her doctor, close support and assistance working through the tasks day by day to bring clarity about issues and demands as they arose, she has been able to keep use of medication to very few times of need. Understanding the physiological aspects of anxiety and panic attacks and managing one’s reactivity to the underlying triggers can go a long way toward minimizing or even eliminating the need for anxiety meds. It is work, but a holistic approach to life recovery counseling and care can mean the difference between an outcome of healthy spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well being and a lifetime of medication dependency. CBB 7/1/26