Many NDIS participants struggle with anxiety, anger, or emotional regulation. Psychology support can teach concrete coping skills that help people manage these difficult emotions and situations.
This article looks at what coping skills therapy involves, what approaches are evidence-based, and how to find psychology support that teaches you practical skills.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Anxiety and Emotion Management
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) teaches the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches you to notice anxious thoughts without fighting them. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
All are evidence-based and can be adapted for people with disability. The common thread: they teach skills—specific things you can do when you're anxious.
What Coping Skills Look Like
Coping skills include grounding techniques (using your senses to bring yourself into the present), breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts, problem-solving steps, and self-compassion.
A good therapist will teach you several approaches and help you figure out which ones actually work for you.
What to Look for in a Psychology Provider
Look for a psychologist with specific training in anxiety or emotion regulation, who uses evidence-based approaches, and who is willing to teach you skills hands-on. They should explain what they're teaching and why.
Be wary of therapy that goes on forever without you developing new skills, or that focuses only on your past without giving you tools for the present.
Using Coping Skills Effectively
Coping skills work best when you practice them regularly, not just in crisis. Learning to use a grounding technique when you're mildly anxious is much easier than trying when you're in full panic.
Some skills work better in some situations. A breathing exercise might help with public speaking anxiety, but problem-solving might work better for planning anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn coping skills?
You can learn basics in a few sessions, but mastery takes practice. Usually 10-15 sessions of targeted skills therapy shows noticeable improvement.
Do coping skills work if I have disability and anxiety?
Yes, but they need to be tailored to your disability. A good therapist adapts approaches to work for you.
What if none of the coping skills work?
Sometimes it takes time to find the right approach. If after a few sessions nothing is helping, talk to your psychologist about trying a different approach.
Coping skills give you agency and tools to manage difficult emotions. Tenax's psychology team teaches evidence-based coping skills for anxiety, emotional regulation, and managing difficult situations.