/assets/images/provider/photos/2807743.jpeg)
Feeling Stressed? Forge a New Path Through Supportive Therapy
Most stress advice assumes you can think your way out of feeling overwhelmed. Plenty of self-help articles tell you to practice mindfulness, stick to routines, or reframe negative thoughts (without any real actionable strategies).
These approaches might work for everyday stress, but they often fail when stress becomes chronic or stems from deeper mental health struggles.
At Mind Space Wellness, LLC, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Caroline Bjorkman, DO, sees patients who have tried the standard stress management techniques without lasting relief.
Supportive therapy takes a different approach by addressing the underlying mental health issues that make stress feel unmanageable and providing encouragement and validation to help you heal.
Chronic stress can rewire how you process emotions
When stress is constant, it changes how your brain processes everyday situations. Your nervous system gets stuck in high alert mode, treating even minor inconveniences like major threats. This means you might feel anxious about things that never bothered you before.
Chronic stress also depletes your emotional reserves. Tasks that used to feel manageable suddenly feel overwhelming. You might notice you’re more irritable, have trouble making decisions, or feel exhausted even after sleeping.
Dr. Bjorkman helps patients recognize these changes aren’t character flaws. Your brain is responding normally to abnormal levels of stress. Supportive therapy works with these stress-related changes rather than expecting you to power through them with willpower alone.
Building confidence is possible with consistent support
Chronic stress erodes your confidence in your ability to handle problems. You start doubting your judgment, avoiding decisions, or feeling like you’re failing at things that used to be manageable.
Dr. Bjorkman provides steady, nonjudgmental support while you work through whatever brought you to therapy. While its effects aren’t immediate, supportive therapy focuses on rebuilding your confidence gradually through consistent therapeutic contact.
You develop skills specific to your condition
Supportive therapy doesn’t just mean talking about your problems. Dr. Bjorkman equips you with specific coping mechanisms tailored to your particular mental health needs and life circumstances.
You’ll learn strategies designed for your specific condition and situation. Someone with anxiety needs different tools than someone with depression, even if both feel overwhelmed by stress.
The coping mechanisms focus on:
- Managing anxiety symptoms as they arise
- Recognizing early warning signs before stress spirals
- Navigating daily responsibilities when you're struggling mentally
- Communicating your needs in relationships and work settings
Dr. Bjorkman teaches these skills gradually, making sure each one works for you before adding new strategies.
The timeline depends on your needs
Supportive therapy doesn’t follow a rigid schedule. Some patients feel significantly better within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support, especially if they’re dealing with complex mental health conditions.
Dr. Bjorkman works with you to determine the frequency and duration of sessions based on your symptoms, life circumstances, and treatment goals. The focus stays on what you need to feel stable and confident in managing your mental health.
This understanding is so important because healing from chronic stress and underlying mental health issues takes time. We tailor the therapy to suit your personal pace, instead of making you rush to meet a set timeline.
If stress has become unmanageable and standard techniques aren’t helping, supportive therapy might address the underlying issues driving your overwhelm. Contact our offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey, or the Upper West Side of Manhattan to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bjorkman and our team.