BACK TO SCHOOL ANXIETY
Q: Back to school is a time of new beginnings. But it is a time of high anxiety in my family. Is this unusual? Can it be managed?
A: It is not at all unusual. I see many people at this time of year for the same reasons. Both students and teachers often find this to be a very stressful time of year. Many students were stressed through the school year but forgot about it over the summer and hoped it would go away. Of course many parents are overstressed in their workplace and in the attempt to balance home and work, but at this time of year many schoolteachers feel the high level of stress return and need extra support. I see many schoolteachers and they find that the demands of the school, including the larger class size and the expectation that they will teach all subjects, are getting more stringent and difficult to attain so they too are feeling overwhelming anxiety.
Anxiety, however, is something that is very responsive to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in both adults and children. Furthermore, for many individuals, the counselling that I provide is covered for each family member by extended benefits. And good news to those of you from the school board that recently experienced changes to benefits! You are still able to continue receiving your counselling from me as before. Contact me if you need help with this.
Whether you are a student or a schoolteacher or any individual who is experiencing difficulty containing anxiety, you do not need to struggle any longer. I can teach you easily managed techniques that will make your life much more satisfying. Do not wait until you or your child is debilitated by anxiety. The sooner it is dealt with, the easier it is to manage.
