Anxiety
Maybe you toss and turn at night, struggling to clear your mind from the stress of the day, or when you do sleep you find yourself experiencing frequent nightmares.
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by the fear that you will have a panic attack and rearrange your life to avoid any potential triggers.
Maybe you feel weighed down by physical tension in your muscles, your jaw, and the constant butterflies in your stomach.
If any of these descriptions sound like you, you may be experiencing anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health challenges. Estimates say that nearly 20% of US adults have experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year.
If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms or believe that you might have an anxiety disorder, know that you’re not alone and there is help available to you. Our specialists are trained in supporting clients through anxiety treatment, reducing anxiety symptoms, and building new coping skills.
What Are Anxiety Symptoms?
Anxiety symptoms can manifest in many different ways, including physical symptoms, cognitive or mental symptoms, and emotional symptoms. Here are some of the most common anxiety symptoms that you may be experiencing:
-
Constant worry or fear
-
Feelings of panic, fear, or constant uneasiness
-
Heart palpitations
-
Sweaty hands/feet
-
Shortness of breath
-
Inability to be still or calm
-
Dry mouth
-
Numbness or tingling in hands/feet
-
Difficulty sleeping
-
Nightmares
-
Gastrointestinal distress
-
Fear of specific situations, such as large crowds or interacting with strangers
What is Anxiety Disorder?
There are a few different kinds of anxiety disorders. Broadly, anxiety disorder is a condition where someone experiences excessive worry, to the point where it negatively impacts different areas of their life, such as work, school, and relationships.
Some of the most common types of anxiety disorder include:
Panic Disorder: Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder where a person experiences panic attacks, which are brief episodes of intense anxiety symptoms. During a panic attack, you might feel extreme shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and chest pain. Many people who experience panic attacks report feeling like they are dying or having a heart attack during the panic attack. Thankfully, most panic attacks only last for a few minutes, but afterward, people with panic disorder will feel an intense fear that they will have another panic attack. Not every person who has a panic attack has panic disorder, but regardless of the reason for the panic attacks, there are treatment options available.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, also known as GAD, is a type of anxiety disorder where a person experiences excessive worry across multiple areas of life and times of day, sometimes without any clear stressor or cause. GAD is one of the more common anxiety disorders and people with GAD are also more likely to experience depression in addition to anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a type of anxiety disorder that someone might experience in response to a stressful, traumatic event. While we used to think of PTSD as something that’s only experienced by soldiers and veterans, the reality is that anyone can experience PTSD after a traumatic event or series of events. PTSD can be caused by experiencing physical or sexual violence (or the threat of violence), intimate partner abuse, childhood trauma, being in or witnessing an accident, and many other traumatic circumstances. People with PTSD tend to experience distressing, intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event, replaying it in their minds over and over again, despite their desire to stop thinking about it.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Separation anxiety is something that many children experience, and most tend to grow out of it as they reach their school-age years. However, for some children, their separation anxiety is so persistent that it becomes a separation anxiety disorder. This condition is characterized by bouts of extreme distress at being away from home or family members, to the point that it interferes with the child’s ability to attend school or other daily activities. Children with separation anxiety disorder may also experience panic attacks, similar to those with panic disorder.
How to Get Rid of Anxiety
Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders can be incredibly uncomfortable to experience. If you suffer from anxiety, you may be wondering how to get rid of anxiety.
While there isn’t a quick fix or permanent solution for anxiety, there are several different anxiety treatment options that are backed by a strong base of evidence and research.
If you’re concerned about your anxiety or if you believe that a loved one may have an anxiety disorder, the best thing you can do is reach out to a therapist or your medical provider. A trained therapist can provide evidence-based anxiety treatment and can support you in reducing your anxiety symptoms.
The number one anxiety treatment option that a therapist can provide to reduce anxiety symptoms is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT. CBT is an evidence-based anxiety treatment, which means that researchers have studied its effectiveness and found that it’s successful at helping people reduce anxiety symptoms.
CBT works because it helps people with anxiety disorders reframe their negative thoughts, build new coping skills, navigate life transitions that may be increasing anxiety, reality-check themselves, and have a safe space to process complex emotions.
You can learn more about the specifics of what’s involved in CBT therapy on our blog.
How We Can Help
You don’t have to tackle anxiety on your own. Our therapists have a vast wealth of experience using CBT, and when necessary, we are comfortable working with you and your doctor to coordinate care if medication is something that may be also helpful.
We’re here to support you in overcoming anxiety. Contact us today to get started.
Our Anxiety Specialists
Counselor, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Ken Vehec
My passion working with people feeling disconnected from themselves and/or others. Helping a client to connect the dots of their personal story to why one thinks, feels and behaves the way they do.
Anxiety, Grief Counseling, Family Therapy, Depression, Chronic Illness & Mood, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Trauma and PTSD, LGBTQ+, Self Esteem, Couples Therapy, Sport and Entertainment Psychology, Certified in Hypnotherapy
Specialties
LPC, NCC
Maureen Bourke
We all experience struggles in life which are unique and often leave us feeling overwhelmed and weighed down. I feel a strong therapeutic relationship is essential when working to bring you relief.
Anxiety, Teens, Family Therapy, Depression, Trauma and PTSD, Self Esteem
Specialties
LSW
Eliana Jorgensen
I am a Licensed Social Worker who has experience working with kids, teens, and families through a strength-based approach. I seek to create an environment in which my clients feel safe and supported.
Anxiety, Teens, Family Therapy, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Trauma and PTSD, LGBTQ+, Self Esteem
Specialties
LPC, MSIMH, EMDR trained
Maren Herman
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a graduate education specialized in Infant Mental Health and trained in EMDR.
Anxiety, Teens, Family Therapy, Depression, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Trauma and PTSD, Self Esteem, Anger Management, prenatal, attachment, early childhood 0-6 yr and new parent/co parenting skills
Specialties
Therapist, Ed.D, MSW, LSW
Michael Barfield
I am a mental health professional with 30+ years. I have experience working with children, adolescents and families who struggle managing anxiety, depression, stress, family challenges and trauma.
I strive to create a safe and nurturing atmosphere in which individuals can express themselves.
Adolescents, Children, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, LGBTQ, Family
Specialties
MSSA, LSW
Mary Lynn Hammond
As a Licensed Social Worker with 27+ years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. I have specialized training In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions Focused Therapy and Family Systems Therapy.
ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, High Functioning Autism, Self Esteem, Anger Management, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Teens
Specialties
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Jessica Murray
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience working with individuals, couples, and families, especially those who have a history of traumatic experiences. I ground my work in a strengths-based framework as I believe that my role is to assist my clients in identifying, refining, and highlighting the strengths they already have within themselves.
Anxiety, Grief Counseling, Family Therapy, Depression, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Trauma
Specialties
Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR Therapist
Ethan Tuxill
As a licensed professional counselor and EMDR therapist, I’ve trained specifically to help individuals struggling with PTSD, complex PTSD, and the lasting effects of trauma. I primarily work with adults and young adults (ages 17+) who have PTSD, depression and anxiety. I pull from a diverse set of therapy models to meet each individual's unique needs, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Shame and Vulnerability, Family of Origin Concerns, Stress Management, Life Transitions
Specialties
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, BCD
Jennifer Strohm
We all have times when we feel like we’re on repeat, stuck, overwhelmed or stressed. I offer a safe and supportive environment to help you make positive changes in your life.
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Chronic Illness & Mood, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Children & Teens
Specialties
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC, BC-TMH, ACS
Michelle Colarusso
My goal as a therapist is to create an environment in which my clients can safely work though the complexities of their thoughts, feelings, and personal experience.
Anxiety, LGBTQ+, Relationship Issues, Depression, Trauma, Stress Management, Life Transitions
Specialties
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Jena Skelton
Struggle is something that I believe every single living thing experiences. It is a concept that can bring us into some of our hardest moments in life, but it also presents the opportunity to connect, grow, and learn. I believe that confronting our struggles and working through them is one of the most valuable journeys that life brings.
Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Grief Counseling, Trauma, Chronic Illness & Mood, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Teens
Specialties
PhD, PMHCNS-BC, RN Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist/Therapist
Kathleen Spadaro
As a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, I offer a holistic approach to clients. You bring into therapy your physical self, feelings, thoughts and spirituality needs, all of which are accepted and supported in my practice.
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Chronic Illness & Mood, Stress Management, Life Transitions