Coping skills are tools and techniques one can use to help handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and maintain or establish a sense of internal order. The psychological coping mechanisms commonly refer to adaptive coping strategies to reduce stress.

When looking coping skills overall, there are two primary strategies that can help with someone’s situation.

Problem-based coping is helpful when one needs to change their situation, perhaps by removing a stressful thing from their life. For example, if they’re in an unhealthy relationship, their anxiety and sadness might be best resolved by ending the relationship (as opposed to soothing emotions).

Emotion-based coping is helpful when one needs to take care of their feelings when they either don’t want to change the situation or when circumstances are out of their control. For example, if they are grieving the loss of a loved one, it’d be important to take care of their feelings in a healthy way (since they can’t change the circumstance).

We offer a number of different therapies and consulting that can help with you or a loved ones refine coping skills. Trust that you are in good hands. Give us a call to schedule an appointment to learn new coping skills.