SPECIALTY
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is more than worry. It's the racing thoughts at 3am, the knot in your stomach before a meeting, the avoidance of things you know you should do. A trained therapist helps you understand what's driving it and gives you tools that work.
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What is anxiety therapy?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. Yet fewer than 40% of people with anxiety receive treatment. The gap isn't awareness. It's access to the right therapist.
Anxiety therapy typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you identify the thought patterns that fuel anxious responses and replace them with more accurate, less distorted thinking. It's not about positive thinking. It's about accurate thinking.
Another evidence-based approach is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which focuses less on fighting anxious thoughts and more on building a meaningful life alongside them. For specific phobias or panic disorder, exposure-based techniques help your brain learn that the feared outcome doesn't happen, gradually reducing the anxiety response.
A good anxiety therapist doesn't just teach coping skills. They help you understand the function of your anxiety, what it's protecting you from, what it's costing you, and how to build a different relationship with uncertainty. Most people see meaningful improvement within 12 to 16 sessions.
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
Signs anxiety therapy could help
- Persistent worry that feels difficult to control, even about things you know aren't that important
- Difficulty sleeping because your mind won't stop racing
- Avoidance of social situations, new experiences, or everyday responsibilities
- Panic attacks with physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, or chest tightness
- Physical symptoms that don't have a medical explanation, such as headaches, muscle tension, or nausea
- Difficulty concentrating at work or in conversations because of underlying worry
CHOOSING A THERAPIST
What to look for in an anxiety therapist
- Training in CBT or ACT, the two most evidence-based approaches for anxiety disorders
- Experience with your specific type of anxiety, whether generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, or phobias
- Comfort with exposure-based techniques, which are the most effective intervention for many anxiety presentations
- A collaborative approach that gives you tools to use between sessions, not just insight during them
FAQ
Common questions
How long does anxiety therapy take?
Most people see significant improvement within 12 to 16 sessions of CBT for anxiety. Some specific phobias can resolve in as few as 5 to 8 sessions. Generalized anxiety disorder may take longer because it involves broader patterns of thinking. Your therapist should be able to give you a realistic timeline after an initial assessment.
Can anxiety be treated without medication?
Yes. CBT is as effective as medication for most anxiety disorders, and the effects are more durable. Meaning they last longer after treatment ends. That said, some people benefit from a combination of therapy and medication, especially if anxiety is severe enough to make it hard to engage in therapy. A good therapist will discuss all your options honestly.
What type of therapy is best for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has the strongest evidence base for anxiety disorders across the board. For specific phobias and OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold standard. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is also effective, especially for generalized anxiety. The best therapy is the one delivered by a skilled therapist you trust.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency call 911.
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