We created the Light On Anxiety Resource Library so visitors can obtain access to helpful information and tools, as well as original content created by our staff and other clinical experts.
Our collection of articles, blogs, and videos has been carefully selected with you in mind. Our recommended resources are here to help you obtain greater clarity and guidance on how to obtain freedom from anxiety.
AI can be a powerful mental health tool. It can help you put words to what...
AI can be pretty great company. It listens. It responds immediately. It remembers what you were...
Screens aren’t the enemy. They help us work, learn, connect, relax, laugh, create and get through...
What to Expect From Online Therapy 💻💙
Curious about starting therapy online? In this video,
Joie Pecoraro, LSW
shares three things you can expect from virtual therapy and what getting started can look like. Online therapy can be a convenient, flexible way to access mental health support from the comfort of your own space.
💙 Thinking about trying online therapy? Reach out to Light On Anxiety to learn more about our virtual therapy options and how we can support you!
#OnlineTherapy #VirtualTherapy #MentalHealth #TherapyWorks #AnxietySupport #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #LightOnAnxiety
Meet Sarah Miklius
To schedule an appointment with Light On Anxiety, visit https://lightonanxiety.com/getting-started/
Sarah Miklius is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who is passionate about helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and her Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Sarah believes that healing begins in a space where clients feel safe to be their most authentic selves. She strives to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients know they do not have to face life’s difficulties alone. Sarah is passionate about providing trauma-informed care and has earned certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), a neuroscience-informed approach to understanding the impact of trauma and promoting healing. She integrates evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a compassionate, individualized approach to help clients build practical skills, deepen self-understanding, and foster lasting growth.
Sarah enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, grief and loss, life transitions, spiritual concerns, and religious trauma. She is passionate about helping clients strengthen their coping skills, reconnect with their values, and move toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic.
Outside of the therapy office, Sarah enjoys lifting weights, taking long walks with her dog, Millie, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and caring for her five backyard chickens.
Meet Samantha Pociecha
To schedule an appointment with Light On Anxiety, visit https://lightonanxiety.com/getting-started/
Samantha Pociecha is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Sciences from Illinois State University.
With a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and mindfulness based therapies, Samantha is committed to supporting her clients using evidence-based techniques tailored to each client’s unique needs. Samantha is passionate about supporting youth, adolescents, families, and young adults as they face challenges and navigate anxiety, relationship changes, self-esteem, and other emotional concerns. She strives to create a comfortable and collaborative environment for her clients to explore their experiences working towards meaningful change. Her goal is to empower her clients to engage in self- reflection and support them with therapeutic tools to navigate life challenges.
During her time away from work, Samantha enjoys watching true-crime documentaries, fall weather, coffee, and working out. She also spends time outside when she can by going on walks to explore the city. Another enjoyable aspect of life for Samantha is finding new restaurants/cafes to try and experience with family and friends.
Understanding the Emotional Underbelly of a Common Phrase “Crashing out” has become a shorthand way for...
On October 11, 2018, ADAA held a Twitter chat under the title #SocialAnxietyADAA. ADAA members Debra...
If you find yourself frequently telling lies, you may be wondering if this is something to...
If you’ve heard the words “self-care,” but don’t quite know what that means in practice, you’re...
Another way to remain calm is to practice mindfulness. “People think about mindfulness as relaxation,” Kissen...
When to talk to a professional Debra Kissen, a licensed clinical psychologist, says it might be...
Debra Kissen, clinical director of Light On Anxiety in Chicago, told Today the appeal is that...
“When life feels uncertain, we want to grab the reins,” Dr. Debra Kissen said.
...Debra Kissen, Ph.D., MHSA, a psychologist and CEO and Clinical Director of the Light on Anxiety...
Slow Breathing Pop-It is a simple, hands-on tool that helps you regulate your breath and calm your body in moments of stress or anxiety. By pressing each bubble in a slow, steady rhythm, you naturally pace your breathing—slowing your inhale and exhale—which signals your nervous system to shift out of fight-or-flight and into a more relaxed state. It’s an easy, portable way to build mindful breathing into your day, whether you’re at home, school, or on the go.
CBT Exercise Cubes are an interactive, hands-on way to practice coping skills and shift unhelpful thought patterns. Each side of the cube prompts a different CBT-based strategy—such as reframing thoughts, grounding in the present moment, or taking a small action step—making it easier to break out of anxious or stuck thinking. By turning the cube and engaging with each prompt, you build flexibility in how you respond to stress, turning insight into action in a simple, approachable way.
Take the guesswork out of managing anxiety with these CBT for Anxiety Worksheets. Each worksheet helps you understand and change the thoughts, behaviors, and physical reactions that fuel anxiety.
Explore core CBT skills—from spotting thinking traps and building exposure hierarchies to calming your body’s alarm system. Use them on your own or with a therapist to strengthen coping skills and maintain progress.
Download a worksheet and start rewiring your brain’s response to anxiety—one practical step at a time.
Your Brain on Anxiety
Understanding the False Alarm
Daily Practice Log
Starting with Action
Common Thinking Errors
Thought Challenging & Reappraisal
The Downward Arrow Technique
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Quick Hacks to Reboot Your Brain
Thought Fusion vs. Defusion
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At Light On Anxiety, we understand that mental health is a complex interplay of biological and psychological factors. That's why we offer CBT therapy services, medication management and neuropsychological testing solutions within one seamless organization. No more bouncing around the healthcare system, dealing with fragmentation, wait-lists, and lack of care coordination. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience so you can get back to living your best life, which is what we all deserve.