What Is Anxiety? How Does It Show Up?
Anxiety isn’t just “overthinking” or “being stressed.”
It’s the constant feeling that something is about to go wrong, even when everything looks fine on the outside.
It can show up as:
A racing mind that won’t shut off
Tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach
Irritability, snapping at people you care about, or feeling on edge
Trouble sleeping, relaxing, or enjoying the present moment
Avoiding situations, conversations, or decisions because they feel overwhelming
Feeling stuck in a cycle of “Why am I like this?”
Many people with anxiety are high-functioning. You show up, you get things done, and others may not even notice, yet inside, it feels exhausting. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
How Therapy Helps with Anxiety
Therapy doesn’t just help you “calm down.” It helps you understand why your anxiety exists, and how to work with it rather than fight it.
In therapy, we focus on:
Reducing the intensity and frequency of anxious thoughts and physical symptoms
Learning how to interrupt spirals before they take over
Building a sense of safety in your body and nervous system
Gaining clarity, confidence, and emotional regulation
Developing long-term tools instead of short-term fixes
Anxiety thrives in silence and self-blame. Therapy gives you a space where your experiences are understood, normalized, and gently challenged, so anxiety no longer runs the show.
What Interventions Might Be Used?
Anxiety treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Your therapy is tailored to you, your experiences, and your goals.
Depending on your needs, therapy may include:
Cognitive strategies to identify and reframe anxious thought patterns
Nervous system regulation tools to calm the body’s stress response
Mindfulness and grounding techniques to bring you back into the present
Emotion regulation skills to manage overwhelm and reactivity
Boundary-setting and communication work
Gradual exposure or confidence-building strategies (when appropriate)
The goal is not to eliminate anxiety entirely, but to reduce its power and help you feel more in control.
Anxiety May be a Sign of Something Deeper
Anxiety doesn’t come out of nowhere.
Often, it’s connected to something you learned, experienced, or endured, such as:
Growing up in unpredictable or high-pressure environments
Feeling responsible for others’ emotions
Past trauma, loss, or chronic stress
Learning early on that it wasn’t safe to rest, speak up, or make mistakes
In therapy, we gently explore these deeper roots while also giving you practical tools to cope in the present. You don’t have to relive the past to heal from it, but understanding where your anxiety comes from can be incredibly freeing.
Therapy helps you move from “What’s wrong with me?” to
“This makes sense, and I can learn a new way forward.”
How can I book a session?
1
Book online
Schedule your first appointment through our online booking system by selecting a day and time that works for you.
2
Get in touch directly
If you’d rather speak with someone directly, reach out by phone or email, and we’ll help you book your initial session.
Let us contact you
Short on time? Complete the contact form, and we will connect with you at a time that’s convenient for you.