What is anxiety therapy?
How does anxiety therapy work?
Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Huntington Beach therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.
How to deal with anxiety?
One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
Symptoms of anxiety
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Sense of impending danger
- Nervousness/restlessness
- Trouble focusing
- Excessive sweating
- Shaking
- Headaches
- Stomach issues
- Fatigue
- Panic attacks
- Increased heart rate
What is the best therapy for anxiety?
Is anxiety therapy conducted in person or online?
Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.
How long does anxiety therapy last?
On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.
Is therapy worth it for anxiety?
Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.
Need more help deciding?
Anxiety can be overwhelming and interfere with daily life, but it is highly treatable with the right support. The licensed anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA, are dedicated to diagnosing and treating anxiety with compassion and expertise.
They can help you understand the origins of your anxiety and teach you effective coping skills to manage and prevent future episodes. Call our office today at (562) 330-4185.
Guide to Providers Who Help with Anxiety
Anxiety therapists can belong to various mental health specialties. At Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA, you can find the following types of mental health providers to help develop treatment plans:
- Psychiatrists (MDs): Can treat anxiety with psychotherapy and/or prescription medication.
- Psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs): Use psychotherapy approaches like CBT to treat anxiety.
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): Help clients develop coping skills to reduce anxiety.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): Address the impact of anxiety on interpersonal relationships.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): Provide guidance and counseling for individuals affected by anxiety.
How Do I Know If My Anxiety Is a Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), anxiety becomes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) when a person experiences the following symptoms:
- Extreme, uncontrollable anxiety and worry
- Three or more of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up
- Being easily fatigued
- Attention difficulties
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Symptoms not better explained by another type of anxiety disorder, such as:
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Separation anxiety
- Anorexia nervosa
- Hypochondriasis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in one’s life
- Symptoms aren’t caused by a substance or another medical condition
Is There a Cure for Anxiety?
While mental health providers don’t typically speak of “cures,” anxiety is highly treatable. Millions of people with anxiety lead successful, fulfilling lives.
The top-rated providers at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA, use various evidence-based treatments to help manage anxiety, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy (systematic desensitization)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Psychotropic medication (prescribed by a psychiatrist)
- Meditation and deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation techniques
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Applied relaxation training (ART)
- Supportive-expressive therapy
- Biofeedback
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle modifications (nutrition and exercise)
- Family therapy or couples counseling
- Substance abuse counseling
- Depression counseling
Manage Your Anxiety Symptoms with a Therapist at Thriveworks in Huntington Beach, CA
Clients can choose to meet their counselors in person at the modern office in Huntington Beach or opt for online counseling, which offers the same quality and length as traditional counseling, but with added comfort and convenience. Thriveworks providers are also available by phone and email between appointments.
Don’t delay getting the care you need for your anxiety. Contact Thriveworks today to start living your life to the fullest with the help of our exceptional team.