Anxiety Therapy in Mashpee, MA

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. Some of the most common types include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is the constant background worry that never fully turns off. Social anxiety, which is the fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations. Panic disorder, which involves recurring panic attacks that can feel overwhelming and even frightening; a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sudden sense that something is terribly wrong. Many people who experience panic attacks describe feeling like they are losing control or even having a medical emergency. Health anxiety, which is persistent worry about your physical health. And high-functioning anxiety, which does not have an official diagnosis but describes someone who appears to have it all together on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside. This is one of the most common types I see in my practice.

If anxiety is getting in the way of your life, that is reason enough to reach out. You do not need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed anxiety disorder to benefit from therapy. Some signs that therapy might help include constantly worrying even when things are going well, difficulty relaxing or enjoying downtime, replaying conversations or second guessing yourself regularly, physical symptoms like a racing heart, tight chest or trouble sleeping, avoiding situations because of fear or worry, or feeling like you are always waiting for something to go wrong. If any of this sounds familiar, therapy can help you understand where the anxiety is coming from and find ways to move through life without constantly being on high alert. You deserve support before things get to a breaking point.

Anxiety therapy is a collaborative, goal-oriented process where we work together to understand what is driving your anxiety and find practical ways to manage it. In our sessions we might explore the thoughts and patterns that keep you stuck, work on calming your nervous system, identify triggers, and practice tools you can use in your everyday life. I use a combination of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion, and mindfulness based work depending on what feels most helpful for you. Sessions are 50 minutes and take place online so you can access support from the comfort of your own space. Most people find that after a few sessions they start to feel more grounded, more clear, and more like themselves again simply because they finally have the support they deserve.

Yes, anxiety therapy can absolutely help with panic attacks. Panic attacks can feel terrifying in the moment; a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sudden overwhelming sense that something is terribly wrong. One of the most important things to understand is that panic attacks, while incredibly uncomfortable, are not dangerous. Therapy can help you understand what triggers your panic attacks, recognize the early warning signs, and learn tools to calm your nervous system before a panic attack escalates. Over time many people find that their panic attacks become less frequent, less intense, and feel much less frightening because they finally understand what is happening and know what to do.

Anxiety, panic and stress are closely related but they are not the same thing. Stress is usually tied to something specific. A deadline, a difficult conversation, a big life change. It tends to ease up once the situation resolves. Anxiety is more persistent. It lingers even when there is nothing specific to worry about, and it can color the way you see everything. That constant hum of worry, the replaying of conversations, the bracing for something to go wrong even when life looks fine from the outside. Panic is more acute and intense. A panic attack comes on suddenly and can feel completely overwhelming; a racing heart, shortness of breath, a sense of losing control or feeling detached from reality. Many people who struggle with anxiety may also experience panic attacks, and many people who are chronically stressed may eventually develop anxiety. If you are not sure which one you are dealing with, that is exactly the kind of thing we can explore together in therapy.

Honestly, the goal of anxiety therapy is not necessarily to make anxiety disappear completely. I know, I know, stay with me here, it's not as scary as it sounds! Some anxiety is actually helpful as it keeps us alert, motivated and safe. The goal is to help you get to a place where anxiety is no longer running the show. Where you can have a worry without it spiraling. Where you can rest without guilt. Where you can move through hard moments without feeling like you are falling apart. 

Most people find that therapy significantly reduces the intensity and frequency of their anxiety and gives them real tools to manage it when and if it does show up. The version of you that exists on the other side of this work is not necessarily anxiety free forever, they are just no longer afraid of it when it comes around.