What happens inside your brain and body when anxiety takes over, and why can’t you simply think your way out of it?

In this episode of the Shalom Series, Teresa Whiting sits down with licensed therapist and recovery and resilience coach Brenda Stewart for an honest conversation about fear and anxiety.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

We Discuss:
• Why fear and anxiety matter
• The difference between fear and anxiety
• Is “Do not fear” a command or a comfort?
• What anxiety does to the brain and nervous system
• Why we can’t simply think our way out of anxiety
• Practical ways to calm fear and anxiety
• Breathing, grounding, and regulating the body

More about Brenda:
Brenda Stewart holds a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Licensed Professional Counseling in TX and SC.. She is a Certified EMDR therapist, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).  She is the founder of Wellspring Therapy Associates, a clinically sound, faith based practice in the Orlando area and BLS Coaching & Consulting. She specializes in working with clients who struggle with trauma, eating disorders, anxiety and chronic illness.

Brenda also provides coaching and consultation to individuals, small groups, and organizations on the prevention and recovery of compassion fatigue and burnout. She is a published author in Career Counseling textbooks, has a second book in process, and has presented at various professional conferences on topics including compassion fatigue, grief, infertility, spirituality in distance supervision, and the impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult relationship patterns. She is passionate about helping others heal and imparts hope to her clients throughout the therapy and coaching process.

Connect with Brenda:
Therapy: Wellspring Therapy Associates
Coaching: Balanced Life Strategies
Instagram: brendastewartcoaching
LinkedIn: BrendaLStewart

Join us for the The Healing Power of Lament Workshop!
If you would like to experience the healing power of lament, join us for our next workshop. In this intimate, interactive gathering, you’ll learn practical ways to bring your pain honestly to God and make space for healing, hope, and joy.

When:
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9am - 12pm EST
Online
Learn More Here

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Music: Home (Inspirational And Uplifting Acoustic Guitar) by Daniel Carrizalez
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