What To Expect When You Start Therapy For Anxiety
How Do You Know When It Is Time To Start Anxiety Treatment?
Maybe you have known you have felt off for a while. Or, you can recognize that you are spending too much time and energy worrying. These worries might even tend to be around things that are completely out of your control. You know this, and you still can’t stop yourself from going over these things in your head.
Even the thought of having to be around other people makes your stomach hurt. It’s hard for you to want to leave the comfort of your home. When you do leave for work, school, or spend time with friends and family, you find yourself having a “short fuse”. Even when running errands, you find yourself getting irritated with the small stuff. These are all common signs of anxiety. Check out these more common signs and symptoms of anxiety listed below. See which ones you identify with the most.
I am a therapist in Wilmington, NC and work with anxious high achieving women. I specialize in anxiety treatment, treatment for perfectionism, therapy for imposter syndrome, and provide burnout counseling. My Wilmington, NC counseling practice offers online anxiety therapy to clients located in Maryland and North Carolina.
Click the button to schedule your free 15 minute consultation for therapy and keep reading to learn more about what to expect when you start therapy for anxiety.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most commonly occurring mental health conditions. It is also the most diagnosed. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, GAD affects around 40 million adults in the United States a year. Also, women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
Anxiety may have a different effect on each person. Some of the major signs and symptoms include:
Worrying
Fear
Restlessness
Fatigue
Irritability
Difficulty Concentrating
Muscle Tension
Feeling Nervous
Headaches
Stomach Aches
Most often these symptoms can cause major challenges in areas of your life. These may include work, relationships, school, and social interactions.
Read these blogs if you're interested in checking out some more information.
Understanding Your Anxiety
Finding the Right Anxiety Therapist for You
5 Tips for Choosing the Best Anxiety Therapist in WIlmington, NC
What To Do If You Suspect You Have an Anxiety Disorder
You have recognized what is happening with your anxiety. As a result, you may have googled things such as “relaxation tips for anxiety” or “how to cope with anxiety.” There are a ton of anxiety blogs, articles and books on anxiety, and YouTube videos for relaxation too. It can be overwhelming with all the options.
Where do you even start?
Maybe to even get here you googled “anxiety therapist near me” or “anxiety treatment near me.”
My hope when you read this is that you gain some knowledge about anxiety. Also, I hope you recognize how anxiety treatment can be very helpful. It may be a great way to start taking better care of yourself.
At Calm Waters Counseling, I provide anxiety treatment to women struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout. I am located in Wilmington, NC, and provide online therapy to anxious high achiever clients located in Maryland and North Carolina.
Continue reading below to find out how I can do this. And, if you think online therapy is an option for you.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see how we can start working together. Or, to learn how the process works.
Will Anxiety Treatment Still Work For Me if I have High Functioning Anxiety?
My answer will always be YES!
If you are reading this you may be wondering what high functioning anxiety is exactly. High functioning anxiety is not a diagnosis. Instead, it is a term used often for people who have anxiety and can still do tasks. Or, function well in different parts of their life. They can hide their struggles with anxiety well.
This may be especially true for women. This is due to expectations from the self and other roles. These roles could be caregiver caretaker, wife, mother, and daughter. Women tend to also be more responsible for carrying the mental load. As well as fulfilling other responsibilities.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET STARTED WITH ANXIETY TREATMENT
In my time working as a therapist, I know getting started with the first step is often one of the most challenging. Especially for clients that have anxiety.
There might be a lot of questions due to fear of the unknown such as:
How does it work?
How do I get started?
What does this mean?
How often do I have to go to therapy?
When does it start working?
Talk to a therapist about anxiety treatment during a free consultation call
Some of the questions you have can be answered during the free 15-minute consultation I offer. Once you request an appointment, you can view the online calendar. From here, you can book times that are available to meet your needs. Then, I will call you on the day and time of your choice. I find this to be most efficient. It helps to reduce playing phone tag and sending a bunch of emails back and forth. It is also helpful for you to know what to expect (my anxiety folks tend to like this part).
This is a time where you can briefly tell me what is going on and your reasons for seeking therapy. As well as some goals you may have in mind.
During this time I also talk with you a bit about my style of therapy and how I work with my clients. This is also a good time to figure out if we would be a good match working together.
Follow the steps below to request your free 15-minute consultation.
How to request a consultation for anxiety treatment
First, click on the button to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Then choose which office you would be attending. Please note all Maryland requests will be via online therapy so you may choose Maryland or Video Office.
Next, choose any open availability for your consultation time.
Then, enter your name, phone number, and email.
Next, you will receive an email with a client portal log-in to complete a brief questionnaire. This is where you will provide brief details about your reasons for seeking therapy. And, logistic information including your availability and desired times for therapy.
Lastly, I will contact you on the day and time of your choice for your consultation. We will briefly discuss the information in the questionnaire. If we choose to book an intake appointment, I will explain the process and paperwork.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ANXIETY TREATMENT INTAKE SESSION?
After the consultation but before the first appointment. There will also be paperwork that needs completion. This includes client history that covers symptoms you may be experiencing, relationships, employment, school, past therapy experiences, etc. . There will also be paperwork outline policies and procedures.
The intake session is when the therapist gathers information about what you are coming to therapy for. It's discussed in much greater detail. And, you start to develop goals for your anxiety treatment. This is a collaborative approach with the therapist where you discuss what you would want from therapy. You will create a dialogue with the therapist about how to reach the goal. This may include potential interventions.
Often these appointments are about 55 minutes and it may take one or two sessions to complete.
If it is appropriate a diagnosis may be given during this time as well.
what styles of therapy are used for anxiety treatment?
At Calm Waters Counseling, I often use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Mindfulness interventions.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR ANXIETY
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most popular treatment modalities. It's used for a variety of mental health issues including anxiety treatment. CBT takes into account how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected.
An example might be:
Event: A dog approached you.
Thought: That dog looks scary and is going to bite me
Feeling: Scared and anxious
Behavior: Avoids the dog and other dogs in the future.
CBT will help to identify patterns in your thinking, emotions, and behaviors. By doing so you can start to be more aware of how they impact you. and challenge yourself to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
You can learn more about CBT anxiety treatment here.
Check out this helpful blog on CBT to learn more - What is CBT Therapy?
Using CBT online for anxiety treatment is also effective.
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY FOR ANXIETY
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a form of therapy based on a cognitive-behavioral approach. But, ACT believes in using acceptance and mindfulness as a way to deal with life and be more present. ACT encourages psychological flexibility. This includes developing an awareness of thoughts, feelings and letting your values guide you.
You can learn more about ACT here.
Check out this helpful blog on ACT to learn more - What is ACT Therapy?
Online anxiety therapy using ACT is effective anxiety treatment modality.
SOLUTION-FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY FOR ANXIETY
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy emphasizes finding solutions rather than exploring deep into the problem. But, for context purposes, it is still important to have an understanding of the problem. SFBT is mainly interested in what is happening in the present and using a client’s strengths to help solve current problems. This form of therapy focuses more on accepting anxiety and managing it rather than trying to end it.
MINDFULNESS
At Calm Waters Counseling, I do not use mindfulness as an anxiety treatment modality on its own. But, it does play an integral part in CBT, ACT, and even SFBT.
Mindfulness and anxiety treatment blend very well. So, developing a mindful practice can be very helpful and important. Mindfulness is about being in the present moment. This means accepting what is happening, and not trying to control outcomes.
Mindfulness practice can be very helpful for recognizing thoughts, feelings, and sensations that are happening in your body. In turn, this can help identify and create a better understanding of the anxiety that is present. And thus, make healthier choices to how you can respond to your anxiety.
There are short and quick mindfulness exercises and longer forms of practices.
Check out this helpful blog on mindfulness to learn more:
ONLINE THERAPY FOR ANXIETY IN NORTH CAROLINA
Online therapy has become more popular and accepting over the past few years. Online therapy occurs on a HIPAA compliant video platform. The therapist and the client can see and hear each other.
I have found online therapy to be beneficial in treating anxiety. Most of the interventions that occur in the office can occur via online therapy. In some cases, it can be even more helpful to your anxiety treatment. In fact, it allows for real-time interventions to take place.
Online therapy also provides access to therapy at more flexible times for you. And, from the comfort and convince of your home or work.
I am currently able to provide online therapy to anyone in Maryland and North Carolina.
Online Therapy in Maryland
Online Therapy in North Carolina
Check out this blog post if you have been thinking of trying online therapy. Or, wondering if online therapy is right for you.
Is Online Therapy Right For Me?
Benefits of Using Online Therapy for Anxiety Relief
Does online therapy actually work?
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation if you are ready to get started with online therapy for anxiety treatment.
what to expect when you finish anxiety treatment
I find that most often when my clients finish with their anxiety treatment they come away from their therapy with some of the following items:
Better Understanding of their Anxiety
New Skills Learned
Feel More In Control
Healthier Ways of Coping with Anxiety Symptoms
Improved Boundaries
Increased Confidence in Abilities
Healthier Relationship with Self and Others
Feeling More Present and Enjoying Life
It is important to understand that each client has their own process when it comes to the therapy process and anxiety therapy. The items listed above reflect only a few of the most common outcomes reported by my clients.
start taking back control of your life and begin anxiety treatment in Wilmington, nc
I understand the impact anxiety can have on your life and how it can disrupt many different areas of your life. The good news is you don’t have to try to figure it out on your own and exhaust all the other options you may have googled in the first place.
I am located in Wilmington, NC, and provide online therapy to anyone located in Maryland and North Carolina. To start your therapy journey, follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consult using the button below
Complete brief questionnaire sent to your email
Meet with your new caring therapist
Start calming your anxiety, and living life to the fullest
Other services offered at calm waters counseling
Anxiety treatment isn’t the only service offered at my Wilmington, NC counseling practice. Other services offered at Calm Waters Counseling include online therapy in Maryland or North Carolina, treatment for perfectionism, therapy for imposter syndrome, and burnout counseling.
Learn More about Laura
I work to provide therapy to women experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout. I can help you to understand your anxiety better and help you to reach your goals. Learn more about me and what you can expect from our time working together.
Let’s get started today!
By: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/12/23