Anxiety Archives | Hillary Counseling, Milwaukee-based Therapy for Adolescents and Adults Lisa Hillary, MSW, LCSW, Psychotherapy and Counseling for Adults and Adolescents Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:35:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 Dating as a Neurodivergent Adult in Milwaukee: Tips from an Affirming Therapist https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2026/04/28/dating-as-a-neurodivergent-adult-in-milwaukee-tips-from-an-affirming-therapist/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:57:33 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=9589 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling Dating can feel complicated for anyone—but if you’re a neurodivergent adult, it can come with an added layer of nuance. Whether you identify as autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, you may find yourself wondering: Why does dating feel so exhausting? Am I missing something everyone else seems to […]

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]]> How EMDR Therapy Heals Trauma—Without Reliving It https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2025/11/14/how-emdr-therapy-heals-trauma-without-reliving-it/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:39:02 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=9186 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling If you’ve ever avoided therapy because you feared having to relive your trauma, you’re not alone. Many people worry that healing means reopening old wounds or re-experiencing painful memories. But the truth is: trauma therapy doesn’t have to be re-traumatizing. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) offers a […]

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]]> Recognizing the Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2025/03/11/recognizing-the-signs-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:21:27 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=8024 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that often involves a cycle of persistent, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While many people have heard of OCD, the severity and types of symptoms can vary from person to person, making it a complex condition to understand. […]

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]]> Understanding Neurodivergence: Embracing Different Ways of Thinking https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2025/02/17/understanding-neurodivergence-embracing-different-ways-of-thinking/ Mon, 17 Feb 2025 21:33:42 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=7999 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling The term neurodivergent is simple to break down: Neuro = the way your brain functions Divergent = differing from the usual or typical So, being neurodivergent means having a brain that functions differently from what is typically considered the “norm.” What Is Neurodivergence? Neurodivergence is an umbrella term […]

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]]> Stressed and Anxious? Here’s How to Stay Emotionally Healthy https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2024/10/01/stressed-and-anxious-heres-how-to-stay-emotionally-healthy-2/ Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:56:15 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=7826 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling “Health is not just about what you’re eating. It’s also about what you’re thinking and saying.” A virus is spreading across the globe. Schools are shut down. People are out of work. Grocery stores are empty. Weddings, graduations, vacations, a day in court—canceled. This is the ultimate test […]

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]]> Being Thankful in an Age of Anxiety https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2023/11/24/being-thankful-in-an-age-of-anxiety/ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 20:06:59 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=7371   This Thanksgiving feels different to a lot of people. They are glued to the news, concerned about the state of the world, watching or participating in demonstrations and rallies, not sure how to speak to their children about war, and seeing cracks in friendships because of opposing opinions about global events. Anxiety about Israel […]

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]]> Avoid or Redirect? Know the Difference for Better Coping with Anxiety https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2023/08/02/avoid-or-redirect-know-the-difference-for-better-coping-with-anxiety/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:40:39 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=7327 We’ve all heard it before: compulsions equal bad. You have to face your fear to overcome it. Running away and avoiding your fear will only make it worse. You may have also heard it is important to redirect your energies toward a life of personal value and meaning. But, when is it avoidance, and when […]

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]]> 5 Ways Almost Everyone Misunderstands Emotions https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2022/07/21/5-ways-almost-everyone-misunderstands-emotions/ Thu, 21 Jul 2022 12:46:00 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=6701 Our emotions provide valuable data, but there are some ways virtually everyone misinterprets their emotions. This can lead to mismanaging your emotions or the situation they occur in. When you become aware of these, you can adjust so that you’re calmer and more effective. Here are five common mistakes: 1. We think our emotions relate […]

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]]> 7 Tips For Building A Better Body Image As An Adult https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2022/06/02/7-tips-for-building-a-better-body-image-as-an-adult/ Thu, 02 Jun 2022 19:05:33 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=6608 By: Lisa Hillary, LCSW | Hillary Counseling When you catch a glimpse of your reflection in a window, or see yourself in a new picture that a friend posts on social media, what thoughts immediately come to mind? Are they generally positive (I look so happy!), or more negative (Well, at least everyone else looks […]

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]]> How High Expectations Can Lead to Disappointment, Depression, and Anxiety https://www.hillarycounseling.com/2022/03/02/how-high-expectations-can-lead-to-disappointment-depression-and-anxiety/ Wed, 02 Mar 2022 22:56:27 +0000 https://www.hillarycounseling.com/?p=6438 “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” ~Alexander Pope I was sitting on the couch in my bedroom, at sunset, looking at the trees outside my window. I felt a profound sadness, frustration, disappointment, and desperation taking me over. While I was staring into oblivion, all my expectations came flashing […]

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