Anxiety can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s hard to know when it’s time to get help. If you’re wondering whether therapy for anxiety is right for you, this guide will help you recognize the key signs that professional support is needed and explain how therapy can help you manage symptoms effectively.

As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (License #114828) I’ve gained extensive knowledge and training in treating a variety of anxiety disorders and mental health conditions. I own a group practice consisting of licensed and pre-licensed therapists where we help women overcome generalized anxiety and a variety of anxiety disorders and take back their quality of life. Commonly, individuals struggle for many years before realizing that they need support from a mental health professional. It’s also not uncommon for people to visit their doctor or local emergency room for their symptoms believing something is wrong with them (like a heart attack). As scary and overwhelming as it may be for these symptoms to show up, it is very possible to treat anxiety disorders. I hope this education will allow you to put a name to your symptoms and help you decide when to seek professional help for your anxiety. We’re mental health providers who want you to know you don’t have to go through debilitating anxious feelings alone.

7 signs to start going to therapy for anxiety

It’s always ideal to take preventive measures to prevent your anxiety from exacerbating. There are many common symptoms we believe are important to have education on to recognize when it is time to seek out professional help from a licensed mental health provider. Treating anxiety disorders requires a special approach with mental health professionals and talk therapy can help get you on a better path to long-term management of symptoms.

1. You experience frequent physical symptoms.

Anxiety consists of both a mental (our thoughts) and physical (sensations) component. Individuals who experience anxiety may commonly recognize the following physical health symptoms: fatigue, muscle tension, sweating, feeling nauseous, or experiencing digestive issues. It is believed digestive issues are correlated with anxiety due to the connection between the brain and the gastrointestinal system. Our enteric nervous system is embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal system, and information is shared between the brain and the gut, which can bring the commonly felt “butterflies in the stomach” feeling. When your physical health suffers and you are experiencing physical health issues it is a clear sign to seek effective treatment by a licensed therapist.

2. Changes to appetite or eating patterns.

The body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline during heightened anxiety which can suppress appetite and hunger. My clients commonly report that the activation of being in fight or flight mode is so overwhelming that their normal routines can be disrupted because they are swept up in what they are fearing. For many of my clients, this becomes a reinforcing cycle as eating too little or going too long between meals can make an individual more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety or a panic attack.

3. Difficulty managing overthinking and catastrophic thinking.

If your anxious thoughts are getting in the way of everyday functioning, it’s a sign that anxiety has become severe enough to require seeking professional support. Not being able to manage irrational thoughts that are prevalent during anxiety can disrupt our ability to concentrate and focus on our important roles in life, like work.

4. Your relationships are suffering.

Individuals struggling with anxiety can begin seeing a shift happen in their relationships due to the inability to control the overwhelming emotions anxiety brings. Some individuals with anxiety rely on constant reassurance and can be dependent on others due to their anxiety. Family members can vary in the degree to which they are educated on mental health and this will impact their ability to best support or understand their loved one struggling with anxiety.

5. Difficulty with functioning at work.

Anxiety can drain our energy and affect our cognitive functioning, resulting in more errors and mistakes at work or school. Poor performance at work or in school can be a sign that your worries have developed into something larger and you could benefit from professional help.

6. You’re relying on unhealthy coping tools.

Self-medicating is a serious concern for those struggling with any mental health issues. When anxiety seems unmanageable and begins affecting daily life, individuals are vulnerable to turning to substance abuse or recreational drugs to reduce anxiety and find relief from negative thoughts. While substances can temporarily alleviate negative thoughts and feelings, they will exacerbate mental health issues and can lead to abuse or dependence, creating a co-occurring mental health condition. This is a critical time to seek professional help as soon as possible.

7. You’re experiencing panic attacks.

When anxiety levels rise past a certain threshold individuals can begin experiencing panic attacks. Without the proper coping tools in place, individuals can experience frightening thoughts.

Choosing the right anxiety therapist for you

Choosing the right type of anxiety therapy can greatly depend on individual preferences, needs, and the nature of their anxiety disorder. Below I will discuss my tips on how to decide which therapy approach may be the best fit for you so you can begin your search for the right mental health provider today.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. The premise of CBT is the belief that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Search for CBT therapists if you want to learn techniques to identify negative thought patterns, challenge the validity of them, and replace them with more rational or helpful thoughts. You will also learn how to develop healthier coping mechanisms.
• Exposure Therapy is a highly effective form of CBT which involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations or objects that cause fear or anxiety, in the safety of the therapy room or environment. If you have phobias, including social phobia, or flying anxiety, this can be a highly effective treatment for you. Individuals learn coping techniques such as relaxation exercises and cognitive restructuring to help them manage their anxiety responses. Over time, repeated exposure to the feared stimuli helps to weaken the association between the stimulus and the response, leading to a reduction in symptoms.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapies incorporate mindfulness practices and principles to help individuals manage and reduce symptoms. This type of therapy is not about ‘getting rid’ of your anxiety and may be a great fit for you if you are looking to harness the power of mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga to help cultivate awareness and acceptance of your anxiety, in a nonjudgmental manner. Another is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral techniques.

FAQs about talking to a therapist about anxiety

Is it worth seeing a therapist for anxiety?

If by now you’re asking yourself, “Should I see a therapist for anxiety?”, just know that there is not a perfect time to enter treatment and it’s common for individuals to wait until their symptoms have exacerbated to begin treatment. Anxiety disorders are different than the occasional worry or temporary fear. Although we can’t rid ourselves of anxiety completely, as it is our built-in survival system, if your anxiety is interfering with your daily living or causing significant distress, it’s worthwhile to schedule an initial therapy session to see how you feel. According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders do not tend to go away on it’s own. Finding the right therapist will provide you with tools and strategies to manage your anxiety, help you understand its root causes, and offer support as you navigate challenging periods of life. Our therapists will collaborate on a treatment plan for you and help you build confidence in managing your symptoms outside of therapy. Therapy can also provide a safe space for you to talk openly without fear of judgment or biased responses, as we often receive from friends or family who know us.

Can I beat anxiety without medication?

Medication is only one treatment option and it is possible to manage your anxiety disorder through lifestyle changes and developing effective coping tools. As a licensed therapist I like to think of medication as a tool for management when needed, but not the ultimate treatment option. This is because anti-anxiety medication is usually a sedative, which will mask your symptoms and one grows a dependence to it quickly.

In order to achieve long-term management of your symptoms it is necessary to face it head on. What those who have an anxiety disorder have in common is they fear the feeling of anxiety itself. In order to overcome your anxiety you need to grow your tolerance for the sensations that come along with your anxiety and be able to no longer resist them or make attempts to get rid of them. By learning to sit with your anxiety through deep breathing exercises you will come to find your anxiety will dissipate on its own. Resistance or any attempts to get rid of them only amplifies it’s power over us, creating a reinforcing cycle.

What type of therapy is best for anxiety?

Let’s discuss the types of therapy that research shows are effective for treating anxiety disorders and that our therapists use with clients.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder to name a few. In therapy you will learn how your thoughts and feelings influence your behaviors. Treatment may include behavior modification and developing new coping tools such as relaxation techniques. Exposure therapy is an effective form of therapy that is a process for reducing irrational fear and anxiety responses. In session a person is gradually exposed to a feared situation or object, learning to become less sensitive to it over time.

In addition to individual therapy, support groups are also an effective way to manage. A support group can be process oriented or skills based and can help individuals relate to others who are struggling with the same thing.

Should I see a therapist or psychologist for anxiety?

Both therapists and psychologists can diagnose and treat a variety of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder. There are some distinctions between these providers and so may serve a different role in your healing journey.

A therapist (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker) can hold either a master’s or doctoral degree and is trained to provide counseling and therapy. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology and has a stronger focus on research. Like therapists, psychologists can provide therapy using the same approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Psychologists can also conduct psychological assessments. A therapist may be the suitable choice if you’re seeking counseling and therapy. However, if you’re interested in a comprehensive evaluation, including psychological testing or assessment, you may benefit from seeing a psychologist. Above all, we believe finding the right fit therapist who has experience and training treating what you are coming to therapy for is the right choice.

In my experience 

As a licensed therapist and group practice owner, I understand the nuances of anxiety disorders. The the variety of ways anxiety can present in one’s life, which of my client’s behaviors reinforces the cycle of anxiety, and how to help clients identify what needs to change in their life in order to better manage their anxiety. When clients work with me they commonly report that they feel like they’ve truly taken back living. Additionally, after working on their anxiety symptoms they are now able to do things that they were once avoidant of or too fearful of doing because of their fears. It’s common that their self esteem, relationships, and career outlook changes for the better.

Get the support you need to address your anxiety head-on. 

Treating anxiety disorders requires a special approach with mental health professionals. As scary and overwhelming as it may be for these symptoms to show up, it is very possible to treat anxiety disorders. I hope this education will allow you to put a name to your symptoms and help you decide when to seek professional help for your anxiety symptoms. We are a team of licensed therapists who want you to know you don’t have to go through debilitating anxious feelings alone. We offer a 15-minute complimentary consultation to determine if we may be the right fit for you.