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It's 2 AM and You Can't Stop Worrying About Your Baby: Understanding Perinatal Anxiety
A tender moment captured between a mother and her newborn, highlighting the quiet yet profound struggles of postpartum anxiety. It's 2:00 AM. Your baby is finally asleep. The house is quiet. Everyone else seems to be resting. But you’re awake. Your mind won't shut off. You find yourself staring at the baby monitor, watching their chest rise and fall, just to make sure they're okay. You tell yourself, "I know they're fine. I know I need to sleep." But your brain keeps coming b

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Jul 294 min read


Health Anxiety: When Your Body Feels Like the Enemy
A person with hands on their head, surrounded by blurred motion, illustrates the overwhelming nature of health anxiety. "What if this headache is a brain tumor?" "Why is my heart beating so fast? Am I having a heart attack?" "The doctor said I'm fine...but what if they missed something?" If you've ever had thoughts like these, you're not alone. Health anxiety can feel like living in a constant state of alert. Every sensation becomes a potential emergency. Every ache, pain, or

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Jul 144 min read


How Family Accommodations Can Accidentally Strengthen OCD
A family holds hands, silhouetted against a breathtaking sunset, embodying unity and tranquility by the sea. Most families do not realize they are accommodating OCD at first. It usually starts small. Maybe someone asks for reassurance once, then again, then five more times because the anxiety still will not settle. Maybe certain topics become “off limits” because they trigger panic. Maybe everyone in the house slowly adjusts their routines to avoid upsetting the person strugg

Kristie Scheib, LPC
May 283 min read


Why Coping Skills Sometimes Stop Working
Practicing mindfulness through meditation, this individual finds peace and balance as a coping skill on a serene yoga mat. You’ve probably heard the advice before: Take deep breaths. Ground yourself. Distract yourself. Think positively. Use coping skills. And to be clear, coping skills can absolutely be helpful. They can reduce emotional intensity, improve self-awareness, and help people get through difficult moments. But many people struggling with anxiety eventually notice

Kristie Scheib, LPC
May 143 min read


Therapy Intensives for Panic Attacks: A Faster, More Effective Way to Break the Panic Cycle
Embracing tranquility as the sun sets, symbolizing liberation from panic attacks. If you’re dealing with panic disorder, you probably already know this isn’t just about “a few panic attacks.” It’s the fear of the next one. The constant body-checking. The “what if I panic here?” thoughts that start to shape your entire day. Maybe you’ve tried weekly therapy. Maybe it helped… a little. But you still feel stuck, like you’re managing panic instead of actually overcoming it. That’

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Apr 234 min read


Why Your Anxiety Feels Worse Before Your Period: PMDD vs Anxiety Explained
Have you ever felt like you’re doing okay emotionally… and then suddenly everything crashes? You feel more anxious, more irritable, maybe even hopeless, but it feels intense. But then, just as quickly, it lifts. If that sounds familiar, you might have wondered: "Is this anxiety or depression… or is something else going on?” For many people, that “something else” could be PMDD. So, What Is PMDD? PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is a hormone-related condition that shows u

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Apr 173 min read


Fear of Dying and Leaving Your Children: A Mother’s Perspective on Health Anxiety
Caption: A mother lifts her child into the air, capturing a moment of love, connection, and presence despite underlying fears of death and health anxiety. There’s a particular kind of fear that doesn’t just sit in your mind, it settles into your chest, tightens your throat, and follows you into the quiet moments. It shows up at night, when the house is still, and your children are asleep. It whispers questions you never wanted to ask: What if something happens to me? Who will

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Apr 94 min read


My Coping Skills Don’t Stop Panic Attacks: A Therapist Explains What’s Missing
Panic attacks can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable. Many people try various coping skills to manage these intense moments, but sometimes those strategies don’t seem to work. If you’ve found yourself wondering why your usual coping methods fail during panic attacks, you’re not alone. Let's explore the reasons behind this struggle and introduce Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as a highly effective approach to managing panic attacks. Why Coping Skills Sometimes Fail

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Mar 234 min read


Understanding Harm OCD: Why Do I Have Thoughts About Hurting Someone?
Living with intrusive thoughts that make you question your own character can feel isolating and confusing. If you find yourself battling unwanted, disturbing thoughts about causing harm to others or yourself, you might be experiencing Harm OCD. This form of obsessive-compulsive disorder can be overwhelming, but it’s important to know that you are not alone, and there are ways to manage it. Let’s talk openly about what Harm OCD is, why it happens, and what you can do to find r

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Mar 153 min read


OCD vs Anxiety: What Happens When Your Mind Decides to Overthink Everything
Ever find yourself stuck in a loop of thoughts, wondering if you locked the door, turned off the stove, or maybe even if you left your brain on the bus? Welcome to the world where OCD and anxiety often throw a party in your head, and everyone’s invited. But here’s the kicker: while they might seem like distant cousins, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and anxiety are actually quite different guests with unique behaviors. Understanding these differences isn’t just a fun br

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Mar 94 min read


5 Ways to Reduce Anxiety Naturally
Anxiety can feel like a constant companion, making everyday moments overwhelming and stressful. Finding ways to ease this tension without relying on medication or external distractions is a goal many seek. Fortunately, there are natural strategies that help reduce anxiety by changing how we relate to our thoughts and feelings, encouraging a calmer, more grounded experience. Let's explore five practical approaches to manage anxiety naturally, focusing on facing fears graduall

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Mar 63 min read


Fear of Losing a Parent: When Anxiety Targets the People You Love
The fear of losing a parent is a deeply human experience that touches many lives. This fear can become overwhelming when it triggers intrusive images of death, compulsive checking behaviors , and mental reviewing of worst-case scenarios. These reactions often trap people in a cycle of uncertainty, making it difficult to find peace. Understanding why the need for certainty can be harmful is key to managing these fears and regaining control over your thoughts. A quiet empty par

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Mar 43 min read


How ERP Can Help Calm Intrusive Thoughts and Enhance Therapy Progress
Intrusive thoughts can feel overwhelming and disruptive, often blocking the path to meaningful progress in therapy. These unwanted, distressing thoughts can consume mental energy and make it difficult to focus on other therapeutic goals. One approach that has shown promise in managing intrusive thoughts is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This blog explores how ERP helps calm intrusive thoughts, creating space for deeper work in therapy. A calm therapy room designed to

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Feb 243 min read


Understanding How Exposure Therapy Quickly Transforms Panic Disorder Treatment
Panic disorder can feel overwhelming and isolating. Sudden waves of intense fear, heart racing, shortness of breath, and a sense of losing control can disrupt daily life. Many people seek fast relief, and exposure therapy offers a powerful way to address panic disorder effectively and efficiently. This post explores how exposure therapy works, why it is a fast and effective treatment, and what someone experiencing panic disorder can expect from this approach. A calm therap

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Feb 163 min read


Understanding the Different Subtypes of OCD and How They Affect Real Life
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as just being about cleanliness or hand washing. But OCD is much more complex and shows up in many different ways. If you or someone you know struggles with OCD, it helps to understand the different subtypes and how they impact daily life. This post breaks down the main subtypes of OCD in a casual, relatable way, so you can see how these patterns might show up and what they mean. A cluttered desk showing both organiz

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Feb 133 min read


When Should You Consider Seeking Therapy for Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it starts to interfere with daily life, it may be time to seek help. Many people struggle with anxiety but hesitate to reach out for therapy because they are unsure when it becomes necessary. Understanding the signs that indicate therapy could be beneficial helps you take control of your mental health before anxiety worsens. A calm therapy room with a comfortable chair and soft lighting Understanding Anxiety and Its Impact Anx

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Nov 13, 20253 min read


How to Build Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Stress
Stress is a natural part of life, but the way we handle it can truly transform our overall well-being! Developing healthy coping...

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Sep 26, 20254 min read


Violent Social Media Content Contributing to a Rise in Mental Health Concerns
Lately, social media has been packed with violent images and videos. While these posts are often meant to inform or raise awareness, the...

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Sep 12, 20252 min read


“Wow! My Whole Family Has Mental Health Issues” – Here’s Why That Might Be True
Have you ever sat down and thought: “Wow! My whole family has mental health issues.” You’re not alone—and there’s a reason this pattern...

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Aug 28, 20251 min read


Grief Has No Expiration Date
The loss of someone close to us leaves a lasting impact. It isn’t something we “just get over.” Grief changes us—it becomes part of our...

Kristie Scheib, LPC
Aug 26, 20252 min read
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