Are We Safe? Psychotherapist Robi Ludwig On Living Without Fear

NEW YORK (WLNY) -- The shooting at the Garden State Plaza mall is the latest in a series of recent events that have shaken our sense of security.

Psychotherapist Robi Ludwig stopped by The Couch to offer some suggestions on how to reduce your anxiety and talk to your kids about shootings.

"I think the reality is that most people are not going to be the victim of a crime via a stranger and so if you look at the real numbers you are basically safe and if you're looking at the news, it's sensationalistic," Ludwig said. "I think once people get the real facts they feel a lot more comfortable about their safety in the world."

Ludwig said taking action can help calm your nerves.

"Figure out what you can do to make changes in your world that help you to feel more safe. Work with your police department, find out what you can do locally to protect yourself and your family and then basically you have to live your life," Ludwig said. "You don't want to infringe on your own freedoms. That's not what living life to its fullest is about."

"The reality is anything can happen to anyone at any moment but you can't live your life like that," she added.

It's also important for parents to talk to their kids about gun violence.

"Sometimes we don't bring it up to them because we don't want to instill fear but we want to make ourselves available as parents to say, 'If you're nervous about something, talk to me, I'm here,'" Ludwig said. "Make sure that their schedules are regular so they feel safe and point out heroes in the community because there are a lot of good people out there, so switch the focus."