Therapy for Anxiety, Panic, and Phobias
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health challenges that people face, and they can show up in many different ways.
If you experience generalized anxiety, you may feel overpowered and physically drained by everyday worries. If you have health anxiety, concerns about illness or physical symptoms may be constant and difficult to manage. If you have social anxiety, your worries may center on group settings, public speaking, or others’ negative judgments about you.
In contrast to ongoing worry, some people experience panic attacks—sudden, intense episodes of fear marked by symptoms like rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or tingling sensations. These experiences are often so intense that they’re mistaken for medical emergencies, such as a heart attack.
Other forms of anxiety are more specific. Phobias—such as a fear of flying, elevators, doctors’ visits, or vomiting—can lead to significant avoidance behaviors and drastically interfere with daily life.
How Therapy Can Help with Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety-related concerns. It can help you better understand your symptoms, restructure unhelpful thought patterns, and gradually face the situations you fear.
A key component of treatment often involves exposure, which helps you relearn that feared situations are not as dangerous or unapproachable as they may seem. CBT also includes practical strategies for challenging anxious thoughts and developing healthier, more flexible ways of thinking.
Facing your fears requires you to build a tolerance to discomfort and to practice experiencing your emotions without being overcome by them. Skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which are based on principles of mindfulness, can help you “ride the wave” of anxiety with a sense of control instead of feeling like your anxiety is controlling you.
Evidence-Based Care for a Wide Range of Anxiety Concerns
CBT, DBT skills, and mindfulness can be helpful for:
- Generalized anxiety and chronic worry
- Panic attacks and panic disorder
- Health anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Specific phobias (e.g., flying, elevators, vomiting)
Schedule an appointment or learn more.
If you’re navigating any of these challenges, know that support is available. With the right approach, it’s possible to reduce anxiety, improve your quality of life, and feel more in control.
