Therapy for Anxiety
Is your mind always racing? Feeling on edge or overthinking everything? Avoiding situations just to dodge the anxiety spiral? Yep! We’ve heard it and we’ve been there too. But here’s the good news – you don’t have to stay stuck. Real support changes the game. Let’s tackle this together!
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is something most people experience at some point, but when it begins to take over your thoughts, your body, or your everyday life, it can feel incredibly overwhelming. It shows up in different ways for different people — maybe as racing thoughts, a tight chest, trouble sleeping, or that uneasy feeling you can’t quite explain. Anxiety isn’t a sign that something is “wrong” with you; it’s often your mind and body’s way of trying to protect you, even if it doesn’t always feel helpful.
Sometimes anxiety feels loud and obvious, like panic or constant worry. Other times it’s quiet and subtle — a sense of dread, irritability, avoidance, or feeling “on alert” for danger that isn’t really there. You might catch yourself overthinking conversations, planning for every possible outcome, or feeling exhausted from being in your head all the time. It’s a lot to carry, especially when you’re trying to manage it alone.
The important thing to know is that anxiety is highly treatable, and you don’t have to push through it on your own. When you have space to slow down and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface, you can learn new ways to respond that bring relief, steadiness, and confidence. Therapy can help you make sense of your experience, reconnect with yourself, and feel more in control of your life again.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Trouble sleeping, tossing and turning, or waking up at night
Headaches, nausea, or stomach discomfort
Sweating, trembling, or shaking
Fatigue or low energy even after rest
Avoiding situations, places, or people that trigger anxiety
Overthinking decisions or replaying events repeatedly
Difficulty concentrating or “blanking out”
Feeling a sense of impending doom or something bad might happen
Feeling constantly on edge, keyed up, or restless
Racing or uncontrollable thoughts
Irritability or short temper
Persistent worry about everyday situations
Feeling overwhelmed or “stuck in your head”
Tightness or tension in the chest, shoulders, or jaw
Racing heartbeat or palpitations
Shallow or rapid breathing
Types of Anxiety
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Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape feels difficult or help might not be available — like crowded places, public transport, or open spaces. This fear can limit daily life, but therapy can gently guide you to regain freedom and confidence.
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This is the type most people think of when they hear “anxiety.” It shows up as persistent worry about everyday things — work, family, money, health — that feels out of proportion or hard to control. Even small tasks can feel stressful, and your mind might feel like it’s constantly spinning.
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Panic disorder is marked by sudden, intense bursts of fear or panic — sometimes out of nowhere. You might feel your heart racing, shortness of breath, dizziness, or even fear you’re in danger. These “panic attacks” can be frightening, but therapy can help you understand and manage them so they don’t control your life.
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Intense fear or worry about being apart from someone you love or depending on. It can affect children and adults alike. Therapy helps you feel secure and cope without constant anxiety.
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Phobias are intense fears of a particular object or situation — like spiders, heights, flying, or needles. The fear is often disproportionate to the actual danger, but it can feel very real. Therapy helps you face these fears safely, gradually, and at your own pace.
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If you feel nervous or self-conscious in social situations — like meeting new people, speaking in public, or even small gatherings — this might be social anxiety. It’s more than shyness; it can stop you from doing things you want to do. Therapy can help you build confidence and navigate social situations more comfortably.
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Usually diagnosed in children, selective mutism is when someone feels unable to speak in certain social situations despite being comfortable speaking elsewhere. It’s tied to anxiety, and therapy can help with gradual exposure and confidence-building.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety usually isn’t caused by just one thing — it’s often a combination of factors, both in your body and your life. Stressful experiences, like work pressure, big life changes, or relationship challenges, can make your mind feel constantly on alert. Sometimes, anxiety runs in families, which shows that genetics and brain chemistry play a role too.
Life experiences also shape how anxiety shows up. Trauma, long-term stress, or patterns learned in childhood can make your nervous system more sensitive to stress. Even day-to-day habits — like taking on too much, not getting enough rest, or living in a constantly busy environment — can amplify anxious feelings. Anxiety isn’t a weakness; it’s your body and mind trying to keep you safe, even when it doesn’t always feel helpful.
How Therapy For Anxiety May Help
Therapy for anxiety isn’t about “just calming down” or pretending your worries don’t exist. It’s about creating a safe space where you can slow down, be heard, and start to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. With support, you can learn to respond to anxiety instead of letting it take over your life.
In therapy, you’ll explore what triggers your anxiety, notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, and develop practical tools you can use in everyday situations. From grounding exercises to coping strategies and ways to challenge unhelpful thinking, these skills give you real, tangible ways to feel steadier, calmer, and more in control.
Your therapist will also work with you to find the type of therapy that fits you best. Whether it’s somatic experiencing (SE), mindfulness-based techniques, exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or a combination of approaches, you’ll collaborate to create a plan that feels supportive, effective, and tailored to your unique needs.
Therapy also helps you build self-compassion. Anxiety can come with harsh self-talk, guilt, or frustration — learning to treat yourself with understanding and patience is a powerful step toward relief. Over time, therapy can help you feel more confident, resilient, and able to face life’s challenges without anxiety running the show.
Take the first step toward feeling more grounded. Book a consultation today and let’s start this journey together.