Why does talk therapy so often make anxiety worse?

Talk therapy activates the default mode network (DMN) in your brain which is responsible for self-awareness in a resting state.

I hear it all the time..."I tried going to therapy and came out feeling worse than when I started"

Talk therapy has a time and a place for some people. But it can also have unintended consequences depending on the root cause of the problem in our brain

Talk therapy activates the part of our brain responsible for self-awareness in a resting state. This series of structures is called the Default Mode Network or DMN.

If your DMN is under-active, talk therapy might help you gain a new perspective or prompt some helpful reflection.

But typically in anxiety, your DMN is in overdrive - and talk therapy just makes it worse

So what do you do? Check out the charts above for a more in depth understanding of what an overactive DMN looks like and how to bring it back into balance

A big part of the reason many people go to therapy is because we're feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the changes we need to make in our life. Seeking support is a healthy thing!

So if talk therapy hasn't worked for you, consider finding a coach that you vibe with who can offer guidance, support, feedback and accountability while staying solution-focused on the practical skills you need to get back in balance.

In resilience,
Caitlin