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Anxiety Disorders
When Anxiety Begins to Shape Your Decisions
Anxiety is a normal human response to uncertainty, change, and perceived danger. It becomes more concerning when fear or worry begins interfering with daily activities, relationships, work, sleep, or your ability to participate in things that matter to you.
Anxiety disorders can take different forms, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia. Because the patterns and recommended treatments differ, treatment begins with understanding what you are experiencing rather than assuming that all anxiety should be treated in the same way.
Evidence-based psychological treatments for anxiety disorders may include cognitive-behavioral and exposure-based approaches. Exposure is an important component of treatment for conditions such as panic and social anxiety.
Generalized Anxiety
For some people, worry moves from one concern to another — work, family, health, finances, relationships, or future events.
You may feel as though your mind is constantly preparing for the next possible problem, even when there is nothing that needs to be solved immediately.
Treatment can help you recognize patterns that maintain chronic worry, develop a more flexible response to uncertainty, and reduce the amount of time anxiety occupies.
Patterns That Can Keep Anxiety Going
These are common patterns rather than a checklist. They can appear in anxiety disorders and in other conditions, and assessment can help clarify what is happening for you.
- Avoiding situations, activities, or places that tend to raise anxiety.
- Relying on safety behaviors that make a situation feel manageable but keep the fear intact.
- Monitoring the body for signs that something may be wrong.
- Worrying as a way of preparing for or preventing a feared outcome.
- Seeking reassurance from other people or from repeated checking.
Panic & Agoraphobia
Panic can involve sudden episodes of intense anxiety accompanied by uncomfortable physical sensations.
After one or more episodes, people sometimes begin worrying about experiencing another one and start avoiding situations where escape or help might feel difficult.
Treatment can help you gradually become less fearful of both the sensations of anxiety and the situations you have begun avoiding.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety involves persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, rejected, or negatively evaluated.
Over time, avoidance and self-monitoring can make ordinary interactions increasingly difficult.
Cognitive behavioral therapy developed specifically for social anxiety can include education, cognitive work, and exposure to feared social situations.
A Collaborative Approach
You will not simply be told to “stop worrying,” and nothing is introduced without discussing it first. We talk through what an exercise involves and why it is being recommended, and treatment goals are developed together.
We begin by understanding what anxiety is doing in your life and identifying the patterns that may be keeping it going.
Together, we develop treatment goals and practice new ways of responding to fear, uncertainty, physical sensations, and avoidance.
Learn more about exposure-based treatment →
If anxiety has begun determining what you do — or what you avoid — we can discuss your concerns during a free consultation. There is no obligation to begin treatment.
What Treatment With Me Looks Like
The first two sessions are dedicated to assessment. I take time to understand your symptoms, what you may be avoiding, how anxiety is affecting your daily life, what you have tried before, and what you would like to change.
Together, we identify the thoughts, behaviors, avoidance patterns, and physical responses that may be maintaining anxiety, and we set treatment goals based on your needs.
Treatment may include cognitive-behavioral strategies, psychoeducation, behavioral practice, and exposure to feared situations or physical sensations. When exposure is clinically appropriate, we develop the exercises collaboratively and introduce them intentionally based on your symptoms, treatment goals, and clinical needs.
I will explain what we are working on, why it may be helpful, and how it connects to your goals. We review your progress throughout treatment and adjust the plan when appropriate.
10 minutes · Free · No obligation · English or Spanish
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. It is not intended to diagnose any condition. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate assistance, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Common questions
Is all anxiety treated the same way?
No. Anxiety disorders can take different forms, and because the patterns and recommended treatments differ, treatment begins with understanding what you are experiencing.
Will I be pushed into situations without discussing them first?
No. Treatment goals are developed together, and I explain what an exercise involves and why it is being recommended before it becomes part of your plan. Exposure-based work does involve some discomfort at times, and that is discussed openly rather than avoided.
Can anxiety and OCD occur together?
Yes, and symptoms can overlap. Assessment helps clarify what you are experiencing and guides treatment recommendations.
Is treatment available in Spanish?
Yes. Assessment, treatment, clinical materials, and communication are all available in Spanish as well as English.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Coverage varies by individual plan and state, and available benefits can be reviewed before beginning treatment.
Related educational resources
Wondering Whether We May Be a Good Fit?
A free 10-minute consultation gives you an opportunity to briefly share what you are looking for, ask questions, and learn more about how I work. Together, we can determine whether moving forward with an assessment makes sense for you.
10 minutes · Free · No obligation · English or Spanish
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