Overcoming Anxiety Through Trust and Therapy

Due to the pandemic, the nation entered a state of alert, and frontline workers became the hope of the people. One individual was among them. Due to the high-intensity work demands, which involved their own and their patients' lives, this individual fell into a whirlpool of self-doubt and lack of confidence. Gradually, they became very anxious and started engaging in repetitive checking behaviors to relieve their anxiety, which affected their work, daily life, marital relationship, and parent-child relationship. As a result, this individual became reclusive and despondent. When I first met them, they showed resistance, indicating that they were brought by their partner and had no intention of seeing a therapist. I responded with a smile and said, "Okay, I understand." The room immediately fell silent, and the individual just sat there. Ten minutes later, I said, "Well, since we have to pass the time anyway, why don't we talk about something?" The individual hesitated and then said, "Okay." Over time, the individual gradually opened their heart. After undergoing eight sessions of intensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and gradually exposing themselves to social situations, I helped the individual overcome their anxiety and fear. The individual also expressed a desire to return to work. Before leaving, they said, "Thank you for your patience and understanding. When I was ready to give up on myself, you didn't give up on me." Hearing this feedback, I felt immense comfort and emotion, reinforcing my belief that effective therapy starts with building trust.