Anxiety is a natural way that our body responds to sources of stress, pain, or danger. Everybody experiences anxiety at times! But what happens if this natural response doesn’t ever resolve, or the response is disproportionate to the situation? In cases like this, an individual may be diagnosed with an “anxiety disorder,” which is above and beyond the natural experience of anxiety in response to a difficult situation. If you have an anxiety disorder or believe that anxiety is interfering with your life, it can be extremely beneficial to work with a therapist. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of therapy for anxiety, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Cedar Counseling & Wellness to learn more.
Will Therapy Really Help with Anxiety?
Disordered anxiety can be far reaching. It may impact every part of your life. Feeling anxious can make relationships more difficult, have a negative effect on your ability to work, and leave you struggling to find joy and satisfaction. Therapy helps you to better understand the underlying sources of your anxiety, so you can develop coping skills to alleviate your worries and fears.
How Can I Tell Therapy Is Alleviating My Anxiety?
For many people, the therapy process itself is uncomfortable. In fact, it may seem to be adding to your anxieties rather than diminishing them at first, but if you stick with it, you will experience numerous benefits. Some questions to help you determine if therapy is working include:
- Are you noticing right away when your anxiety rises?
- Are you able to refocus your attention when anxious thoughts interfere with your experiences?
- Are you feeling less anxious?
- Are your relationships feeling less stressful?
- Are you learning new skills to help manage anxiety when it arises?
- Are you better able to manage fear or worries when interacting with others?
- Are you feeling more confident in once stressful and anxiety-inducing situations?
What Can I Expect During Therapy for Anxiety?
The basic therapy process is easy. You’ll sit down and talk with your therapist. When you’re getting started, your therapist will ask you a number of questions to determine what therapy approaches may be beneficial. You’ll work together to create a plan for your time working together. Then, during each session, you’ll talk through your recent experiences. You’ll discuss how you reacted during anxious moments, and work on new skills and strategies to better navigate anxiety in the future. At the end of the visit, your therapist may give you a homework assignment. This is how you’ll apply your new tools and strategies for coping with stress in your daily life. During your next session, you and your therapist may discuss how your homework went to gauge your progress toward achieving your goals. From there, you’ll continue sessions until you and your therapist determine you’ve achieved the goal set at the start of therapy.
How Do I Get Started Working with a Therapist?
The Cedar Counseling & Wellness team provides in-person therapy in Annapolis, Maryland, as well as virtual sessions to Maryland residents. We would love to hear from you. We offer a range of therapy options, including counseling for those who struggle with anxiety. If you’re ready to get started, just give our team a call at (443) 924-21401, email info@cedarcounselingandwellness.com, or use our easy online scheduling system.
