Turning stress into confidence
When life feels unpredictable, trying to control the chaos leaves you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Learn how to quiet the mental chatter, sit with uncertainty, and build confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes next
Life isn’t going the way you expected, and you’re not sure how you’re supposed to handle it all
You’ve worked hard to get your life in order and keep up a routine, but it seems like there’s always something going wrong and derailing your plans. You might even start to wonder if there’s something wrong with you if you can’t meet your own expectations.
You’re trying your best to keep up with everything that’s going on, and the only way you can imagine getting through is by putting your head down and working harder. You can push through your task list during the day, but at night it’s hard to get to sleep when your mind is racing.
You can’t stop thinking about the things that have gone wrong in the past and if there was anything you could have done differently to change what happened. You might even start to second guess your decisions now- what aren’t you seeing that you’re going to regret later?
You know something needs to change, and you’ve narrowed it down to five possibilities which you keep rethinking over and over until change feels impossibly far away. And even when you finally settle on what you want to do, your mind comes up with another what-if that throws you back into the spiral.
You have so much going on, it’s hard to make time for the things you actually want to do. It feels frustrating when your partner or a friend say they want more time with you because you know they’re right, but you have nothing left to give at the end of the day.
Jessica Brohmer, LMFT is an online therapist based in Aptos and serving clients across California specializing in transforming stress into calm confidence.
Hi, I’m Jessica.
I help stressed, overwhelmed people like you find another way forward.
I know how complex stress can be. It’s more than just being busy, it’s the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion of having that weight on your shoulders. But I believe that a big part of the weight we feel from stress is from the way we relate to it.
I bring a different approach to stress management. We’re not going to try to optimize your schedule or find ways to offload routine tasks. Instead, we’ll explore what’s underneath the stress and overwhelm to help you relate differently to uncertainty, stay present through the difficult times of life, and trust yourself and your ability to get through it.
Therapy with me isn’t about having all the answers
Stress can keep your mind racing, trying to find answers to an uncertain situation so you can feel like you’re in control. Worry wants you to think through every possible outcome before you can make a decision. Starting therapy can feel stressful too. When you’re already anxious about life, you might be worried about being judged or getting unhelpful advice that doesn’t fit the complexity of your situation.
We’ll do something different:
Slow down and notice when stress is trying to pull you into a thought spiral
Focus your effort and energy on things that are helpful and actually within your control
Learn to sit with uncertainty and make decisions without knowing all the information
Build trust in yourself to handle things even when life doesn’t work out the way you hoped
Embrace complexity, contradictions, and the unconventional parts that make you unique
Stress comes in many forms
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For times when the stress doesn’t stop even when life calms down and you feel overwhelmed by worry, overthinking, and self-doubt. You’ll learn how to trust yourself through making important decisions, navigating social situations, challenging negative thoughts, and feeling uncertain. Get help with relationship stress, career stress, caregiving, and burnout so you can feel confident through difficult relationships and situations.
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For those who recognize that they respond to stress by trying to control the outcomes. When you need to be perfect in order to avoid criticism from others, you can become your own harshest judge.
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For when you know there’s something deeper underneath the stress. It’s not just about what’s happening now, it’s connected to older messages, patterns, and experiences that impact your ability to trust yourself and others.
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For when your life has changed suddenly and irreversibly through loss. Grief is overwhelming, and many of my clients need a companion for the journey back toward solid ground. We’ll find ways to honor your grief and rebuild your life without forgetting about what happened or leaving your loss behind.
Stress can also come from inner conflicts
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For when questions about gender, sexuality, and who you are become a focal point for the stress and tension in your life.
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For people who want their faith to be a part of their work in therapy, or people for whom faith is creating tension and difficulty.
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For licensed therapists, associates, and students who want their own space to process through the tension of holding space for others while navigating your own life.
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For people facing the mental, physical, and emotional complexity of a new diagnosis, medical trauma, and disability.
Getting started with online therapy
Reach out when you’re ready. Whether you'd like to schedule a consultation or simply have a few questions first, you're welcome to reach out in whatever way feels most comfortable. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it's okay if you need a little space to explore before deciding.
We’ll see if we’re the right fit. Our consultation is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about what's bringing you to therapy and what you're hoping for. It's a chance for you to ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide whether it feels like the right place to begin your journey.
We’ll walk through it together. If we decide to move forward, we'll meet weekly by secure video for one-hour sessions or asynchronous therapy using secure messaging. My practice is designed to provide consistent support in the midst of real life, not just during a scheduled hour each week so you can develop the confidence to handle what comes up as it’s happening.