The A Treatment Center

06/17/2025

This is awesome.

04/26/2025

04/24/2025

Thankful for amazing clients who are generous with their reviews!

04/03/2025

What is EMDR?

04/02/2025

Are You More Stressed Than You Think?

Stress can sneak up on you, affecting your mood, energy, and even your health. You might feel “fine,” but are you actually carrying more stress than you realize?

Take this quick quiz to find out your stress level and identify what’s causing it. At the end, you’ll get personalized insights and a trusted resource to help manage your stress effectively.

⸻

Comprehensive Stress Quiz: Level & Causes

Instructions:
• Answer each question by selecting the option that best describes your experience.
• Keep track of your points to determine your stress level and your main stress sources at the end.

⸻

Part 1: Stress Level Assessment

1. How often do you feel overwhelmed by tasks or responsibilities?
• ☐ A) Rarely or never (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Sometimes (2 points)
• ☐ C) Often (3 points)
• ☐ D) Almost always (4 points)

2. How well are you sleeping?
• ☐ A) I sleep well and wake up rested (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 I have occasional trouble sleeping (2 points)
• ☐ C) I wake up tired most mornings (3 points)
• ☐ D) I have severe sleep disturbances or insomnia (4 points)

3. How do you feel physically most of the time?
• ☐ A) Energetic and healthy (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 A bit fatigued but manageable (2 points)
• ☐ C) Frequently exhausted or experiencing headaches/muscle tension (3 points)
• ☐ D) Constantly drained with noticeable physical symptoms (4 points)

4. How do you handle unexpected problems?
• ☐ A) I stay calm and adapt easily (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 I get a little anxious but manage well (2 points)
• ☐ C) I feel quite stressed and struggle to cope (3 points)
• ☐ D) I panic or feel paralyzed by stress (4 points)

5. How often do you feel irritable or impatient?
• ☐ A) Rarely (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Occasionally (2 points)
• ☐ C) Frequently (3 points)
• ☐ D) Almost always (4 points)

6. How well do you make time for relaxation or self-care?
• ☐ A) Regularly, I prioritize self-care (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Sometimes, but not enough (2 points)
• ☐ C) Rarely, I struggle to find time (3 points)
• ☐ D) Almost never, I’m always too busy (4 points)

7. How do you feel about your work or daily responsibilities?
• ☐ A) I enjoy them and feel in control (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 They can be stressful but are manageable (2 points)
• ☐ C) I often feel overwhelmed or burned out (3 points)
• ☐ D) I dread them and feel like I’m drowning (4 points)

8. How is your appetite?
• ☐ A) Normal and healthy (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Some changes but nothing extreme (2 points)
• ☐ C) Noticeable loss or increase in appetite (3 points)
• ☐ D) Severe appetite issues (4 points)

⸻

Part 2: Identifying Your Stress Source

9. What is the biggest source of stress in your life?
• ☐ A) Work or school (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Relationships (partner, family, friends) (2 points)
• ☐ C) Finances (3 points)
• ☐ D) Health issues (4 points)
• ☐ E) A combination of multiple factors (5 points)

10. How do you feel about your work or school performance?
• ☐ A) Satisfied and confident (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Sometimes stressed but managing (2 points)
• ☐ C) Constantly under pressure and struggling (3 points)
• ☐ D) Burned out and unhappy (4 points)

11. How are your relationships with those closest to you?
• ☐ A) Healthy and supportive (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 Some conflicts but generally okay (2 points)
• ☐ C) Strained, with frequent arguments or tension (3 points)
• ☐ D) Very stressful or toxic (4 points)

12. How do you feel about your financial situation?
• ☐ A) Secure and comfortable (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 I have some concerns but can manage (2 points)
• ☐ C) I constantly worry about money (3 points)
• ☐ D) Financial stress is overwhelming me (4 points)

13. How concerned are you about your health?
• ☐ A) I feel good and have no major concerns (1 point)
• ☐ 😎 I have minor health concerns (2 points)
• ☐ C) I often worry about my health (3 points)
• ☐ D) My health is a major source of stress (4 points)

⸻

Results & Interpretation

Step 1: Determine Your Stress Level
• 8-12 Points: Low Stress – You’re handling stress well! Maintain your balance and healthy habits.
• 13-19 Points: Moderate Stress – You experience some stress, but it’s manageable. Consider more relaxation techniques.
• 20-26 Points: High Stress – Stress is significantly impacting your daily life. It’s important to find ways to reduce it.
• 27+ Points: Severe Stress – Your stress levels are very high. You may need external support or lifestyle changes.

Step 2: Identify Your Stress Source

Look at your answers to questions 9-13. The highest-scoring area indicates your primary stressor:
• Work/School Stress → You may be overworked, experiencing burnout, or feeling unfulfilled.
• Relationship Stress → Conflicts, emotional struggles, or toxic relationships could be draining you.
• Financial Stress → Concerns about money may be causing ongoing anxiety.
• Health Stress → Physical or mental health issues could be playing a major role in your stress levels.
• Multiple Stressors → You may have a combination of factors contributing to high stress.

⸻

Need Help Managing Stress?

If your stress levels are high or severe, you’re not alone. Seeking support can help you take control and feel better.

Arolyn Burns, LMFT, LPCC is a licensed therapist specializing in stress, anxiety, phobias and trauma. Visit TheATreatment.com for more information and professional support.

Arolyn Burns LMFT, LPCC uses an eclectic, client-centered approach to Anxiety, Phobias, Trauma, Chronic Pain. Certified EMDR & Hypnotherapy.

03/25/2025

Grief & loss podcast. What to expect & what you can do!

Do you think peace and grief can co-exist?If you are currently suffering from grief and loss or have in the past, you're not alone! In this episode, I sit do...

03/24/2025

Tomorrow, my podcast on Grief airs. Feel free to check it out below. If I help one person, it was worth it!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10236014581766323&id=1276857087&mibextid=wwXIfr

03/08/2025

This is fantastic!

https://www.facebook.com/1379514262/posts/10235686905938054/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/18/2025

Five Ways to Deal with Anxiety Without Medication

Have you experienced your heart/blood racing, palms sweating, lack of oxygen, legs or hands shaking and or your brain unable to focus? You may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Often your doctor will refer you for tests or a psychiatrist to prescribe medications, However below are some suggestions that can help before you try meds or even after your have them but need something more.

Deep breathing- According to The American Institute of Stress, “Abdominal breathing for 20 to 30 minutes each day will reduce anxiety and reduce stress. But how do we do that. Put your hands on your rib cage. Notice you have ribs on your back? Most of us don’t breathe into the depths of our lungs Deep breathing allows oxygen to get to your brain and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This naturally induces a calming state of mind. Breathing into the depths of your lungs helps you feel connected to your body. Try breathing in for 5 seconds, filling the back lower part of your rib cage. Now hold for 5 then slowly release for 5 seconds. Repeat this several times until you notice your whole body relaxing a bit. Practice this daily, even when you’re not stressed. Its good practice and helps reduce your cortisol (stress hormone).

Meditation or Prayer- Meditating sounds so ominous. However its very simple. Take a moment when your in a good head space and feeling calm. Find a quiet place where you can focus on something positive, encouraging or motivating. Personally I love finding Proverbs or Poetry, even song lyrics or focusing on a beautiful piece of artwork. There are apps that can provide guided meditation or you can just be aware of beauty around you. Being mindful of your breathing, body, all 5 senses and accepting your experiences as they are with love and compassion towards yourself and others is called Mindful Meditation. Don’t worry if you’re doing it “right”. Start slow and gradually it will feel natural and you can increase time spent in meditation. Prayer is not only asking, its listening. You can’t do it wrong. Feel free to just ask God to show you what God wants you to know. When you are open, you will hear.

Exercise- There are numerous studies out there that prove that exercise reduces stress and depression. Exercise not only helps with anxiety how your feel in and about your body, but also releases endorphins which are hormones that increase your mood and last longer and work better than most anti-depressants. These endorphins help reduce the stressed out feelings we get from work, a relationship conflict and anything else that may be causing us stress. Find an activity you can do daily to increase your heart rate. Even a brisk walk daily can help reduce stress. Of course talk to your doctor about what is best for you and your health but many of us can simply walk off some of our stress.

Grounding techniques- This term is used for a number of things. From plugging a sleep pad into the grounding hole in the electric plug on your wall to getting grounded for disobeying ones parents. Those are not what I am referring to. Although both have their proper place Grounding in this context is getting in touch with ones body. Often our anxiety is over thinking about something we are anticipating. Or worrying about an incident in the past. When we practice grounding, it helps pull us into the present moment as we are aware of our body in the present tense. If you want to try it now, find something in the room near you that is attractive to look at, a painting, a photo, even a pretty pattern on the floor. Notice all the colors and differences in that item. Now notice how your body feels sitting or standing by it, what part of your body is closest, what part is touching the chair or the floor. Do you smell anything, Are there any distinct or faint noises going on around you Do you have any particular taste in your mouth? Using all your senses be aware of how your body is feeling Right Now. This is being Grounded in the psychological sense.

Nutrition- We all know we should eat nutritiously. Low sugar, avoid processed food, etc. But why? Im not a nutritionist so I am not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t eat but there is evidence that sugar crashes are real, and certain foods do affect our moods, Do your research to know which foods provide you with mood boosting vitamins and amino acid. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which aides in uplifting your mood, Greek yogurt and high protein foods improve alertness, mental energy, and reaction time. Complex carbs like a sweet potato broccoli or brown rice are also helpful to increase your mood.

If you’ve tried any of these and are still suffering with symptoms, The A Treatment Center can help you overcome your anxiety! Come in for individual psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, or even EMDR for trauma. We are here to help.

Arolyn Burns LMFT, LPCC uses an eclectic, client-centered approach to Anxiety, Phobias, Trauma, Chronic Pain. Certified EMDR & Hypnotherapy.