What is Anxiety?

It might feel like your brain is stuck in a loop of overthinking, or like you’re constantly scanning for danger. Whether it’s panic attacks, social anxiety, or looping thoughts that won’t quit, therapy can help bring you back to a steadier place.

What Anxiety Feels Like:

Overactive Mind: Thoughts that spiral into endless “what ifs,” jumping from one worry to the next.

Chronic Worry: An unshakable focus on worst-case scenarios, no matter how unlikely.

Avoidance Patterns: Steering clear of places, people, or situations that make your anxiety spike.

Mental Drain: Anxiety can leave you mentally foggy or emotionally depleted, even when you haven’t “done” much.

On-Edge Sensations: Feeling keyed up or restless, like you’re always bracing for impact.

Physical Reactions: Racing heart, stomach aches, sweating—your body often feels anxiety before your mind catches on.

The Unseen Struggle:

Strained Connections: It can be hard to engage with others when your mind is elsewhere or you're caught in worry.

Work and Focus Struggles: Anxiety can scatter your attention and make even simple tasks feel monumental.

Body Breakdown: Chronic stress from anxiety can wear down your immune system and cause real physical symptoms.

Fear Feedback Loop: The more you avoid triggers, the bigger and scarier they can feel over time.

How Therapy Can Help:

New Thought Patterns: Challenge black-and-white or catastrophic thinking so it doesn’t run the show.

In-the-Moment Tools: Grounding, breathing, and somatic techniques to manage distress when it strikes.

Stress Resilience: Learn how to ride the wave of anxiety without feeling drowned by it.

Healing from the Roots: Uncover old wounds, family patterns, or past trauma that might be fueling your anxiety now.

Support Systems: Strengthen your relationships and support networks, so you're not doing this alone.

Common Fears:

Will I need to take medication?

You’re in charge. We believe in giving you a range of options to help manage your anxiety, whether that’s through behavioral techniques, more holistic approaches, or medications. Our goal is to support you in making informed, empowered decisions about what’s best for you. Medication is not a requirement, but if it becomes part of your treatment plan, we will collaborate with your healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.

Won’t talking about my anxiety make it worse?

No—talking about your anxiety won’t make it worse. In fact, avoiding it often gives it more power. It’s natural to feel concerned about discussing your anxiety, and doing so can bring symptoms to the surface in the short term, but the therapy room is the ideal place to face it. Here, you’ll have the time, support, and resources needed to process your feelings in a safe environment. Even if talking about symptoms like sweaty palms or a racing heart brings them up, you’ll gain valuable insights into managing and moving through those sensations, rather than letting them control you. The goal isn’t to avoid discomfort—it’s to learn how to navigate it.

What if my anxiety gets worse before it gets better?

It’s not uncommon for anxiety to intensify early in treatment; this is often your anxiety trying to resist change. While it may feel uncomfortable at times, it’s important to remember that progress takes time. You can expect both short- and long-term relief as we work together. Anxiety treatment requires patience, practice, and sometimes letting go of the need for complete control. Over time, you’ll feel more in control of your anxiety rather than the other way around.

What is anxiety?