“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Anxiety Therapy
Is It Impossible To Shake The Worry No Matter How Hard You Try?
Living with the constant chatter of anxiety can make you feel like it is never possible to slow down or “turn off” your brain. Thoughts are panicked, unpredictable, or run on a loop.
Anxiety is that jittery, tingly, and heart-racing sensation that spreads across your body when you’re faced with a problem, uncertainty, or a major event. A fearful inner critic is often second-guessing each decision you make. And you seem to always be worried about something—whether it’s an endless to-do list, how you’re interacting with others, or the need to constantly be in problem-solving mode.
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life that dissipates as stress decreases. But for many people, symptoms can get worse over time, interfering with work, school, and their relationships. Sometimes anxiety becomes so intense, it’s difficult to even leave the house. The stress can generate just as many physical symptoms as it does mental ones, including sleep issues, changes in appetite, and, in some cases, drinking to relax.
At Family Perspectives, LLC we work with teens and adults in counseling to learn skills for reducing the noise that anxiety creates. As you better understand your emotional and physical response to anxiety in therapy, you can become someone who is able to think clearly, communicate effectively, and regain a sense of control over life.
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If You Struggle With Anxiety, You Are Not Alone
Anxiety is very common and a normal response to the overload of information that we’re regularly exposed to. Between daily responsibilities, cultural and familial pressures, and the constant stimulation brought on by technology, there is a lot to juggle. Our basic human needs for rest, fulfillment, and connection usually take a backseat to the need to overdo, overachieve, and be productive.
Our therapists understand that the idea of even starting treatment can be anxiety-inducing, which is why we move at a pace that feels comfortable and oriented around your goals. We’ve helped many people find peace, be able to let go, and get on track with a healthy lifestyle—and we want to help you too!
At Family Perspectives, LLC, We Treat A Range Of Anxiety Symptoms And Disorders In Therapy
Anxiety exists on a spectrum and is experienced differently by individuals based on a range of factors, including history, intensity and duration of symptoms, and previous exposure to treatment. We have trained anxiety specialists on our team who are a good fit for clients with:
Generalized anxiety - chronic worry about everyday life
Social anxiety - intense fear of social situations and being embarrassed
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - a disorder that attaches beliefs and rituals to the cycle of anxiety
Panic attacks - acute physical symptoms of panic and terror that appear seemingly out of nowhere
Phobias - the fear of particular objects, events, or places
Tics and Tourette’s - uncontrollable movements or vocalizations triggered by anxiety
Tailoring the therapy process to your specific needs, we will create a treatment plan oriented around the unique cognitive, emotional, relational, and physical sensations that are triggered when anxiety strikes.
What To Expect
Our seasoned, fully licensed therapists use evidence-based modalities that are proven to be effective in reducing anxiety. Depending on what’s most appropriate, we may incorporate:
Psychoeducation: We can explain the nature of anxiety, how it affects the body and mind, and how thoughts and behaviors can contribute to the cycle of stress.
Cognitive restructuring: Identifying, challenging, and reframing negative thought patterns to replace them with more positive and realistic ones.
Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy involves gradual exposure to the things that cause anxiety in a safe and controlled environment, allowing you to build up a tolerance to these situations and learn that they are not as threatening as you initially believed.
Relaxation techniques: We will encourage relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to help manage anxiety symptoms.
Behavioral activation: This involves setting goals and engaging in activities that you enjoy and find fulfilling. This can help to increase feelings of well-being and reduce anxiety.
There is a way to feel more relaxed, more focused, and more capable of handling the stress that life throws your way. The small steps taken in anxiety therapy can translate to huge strides in your daily functioning and outlook. The more you see how capable and resilient you are in the process, the more you will be able to understand and tell yourself that you are enough.
Common Concerns About Treatment For Anxiety…
I’ve struggled with anxiety for so long that I don’t see the point in spending money on treatment that probably won’t help.
Before seeking treatment, a lot of people develop the belief that their anxiety is calling the shots, and that’s just the way it’s going to be. But that narrative alone is part of the anxiety cycle! The fact of the matter is that anxiety is treatable, particularly when counseling is involved.
Therapy is not meant to be a quick fix; it requires commitment and a willingness to put in the effort and practice skills. However, therapy is an extremely powerful tool in the process of treating anxiety, and you don’t have to commit forever. Even if you’re skeptical, we invite you to show up and see what happens after a few sessions. Our guess is that you’ll begin to see slight shifts in your thoughts and beliefs that will evolve to sustained change over time.
Needing therapy means that I am incompetent or unwell.
We like to tell our clients that it takes a strong person to try to get through life’s obstacles alone—but it takes an even stronger person to ask for and receive help when they know they need it. The fact that you’re here does not indicate weakness but rather strength and an investment in yourself and your future. Humility and vulnerability are necessary for making progress, and building those skills alongside a therapist signals self-improvement.
Mental health struggles are some of the most common health issues worldwide, and it’s normal for therapists themselves to go to counseling! Let’s work together in therapy to challenge the narrative that accepting help isn’t good or healthy.
I’m already burning the candle at both ends, which is why I’m experiencing anxiety in the first place; there’s no way I’ll be able to make time for therapy.
We get it—the idea of adding one more thing to your to-do list right now sounds overwhelming and unmanageable. But remember: you are at the center of this process, meaning we schedule sessions when it works for you and create an individualized, actionable treatment plan that recognizes your unique goals and experience of anxiety.
Learning to manage anxiety now will set you up for benefits that you can continue to reap into the future, including enhanced stress management skills, increased productivity, and stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Once you create more room in your life, you’re likely to see that anxiety was taking up more space than counseling ever could!
This Too Shall Pass
At Family Perspectives, LLC, we use effective, evidence-based methods to help teens and adults struggling with a range of anxiety symptoms, including those associated with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, phobias, panic attacks, and tics/Tourette’s. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our anxiety specialists.