Anxiety Therapist Denver

Takeaway: Anxiety can make it difficult to live your everyday life without being plagued by worry, thoughts of worst-case scenarios, and frustrating physical symptoms. Thankfully, it’s highly treatable. Working with an anxiety therapist in Denver can help you get to the root of your anxiety and experience more ease.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives, making it the most common mental illness in the United States. And research shows that women are more likely than men to have anxiety disorders. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), generalized anxiety (one of the most common forms of anxiety) consists of excessive worry and apprehensive expectations, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities, such as work or school performance.

The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six anxiety symptoms with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months:

  • Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge

  • Easily fatigued

  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

  • Irritability

  • Muscle tension

  • Sleep disturbance such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless and unsatisfying sleep

The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Beyond generalized anxiety disorder, people may also live with other anxiety conditions like panic disorder. People with this form of anxiety experience panic attacks, or intense periods of fear accompanied by physical symptoms like shaking, sweating, rapid heart rate, and more.

Social anxiety is another common form of anxiety. As the name suggests, people with social anxiety experience worry and fear related to social situations. They might worry about being judged by others or feel so much anxiety that they avoid some social situations altogether.

How anxiety can show up for you

Anxiety can take on many different forms. While learning about the different anxiety disorders can help you understand your experience and remind you that you're not alone, your symptoms might not fit neatly into a category.

At the same time, I often see common themes and patterns in my work with people who experience anxiety. You might experience anxiety through racing thoughts, feeling like you are losing control, feeling shame, struggling in relationships, and feeling overwhelmed constantly.

Perfectionism, self-sabotage, indecisiveness, people-pleasing, overthinking, not taking care of self, second-guessing yourself, low energy, and low motivation are some other ways that anxiety can show up outside of the diagnostic criteria we see in the DSM-5.

If you struggle with these physical and mental health symptoms but aren't sure whether you have a formal anxiety disorder, know that you deserve support. Anxiety counseling in Denver can help you get to the root of your anxiety and feel more at ease in your daily life. Reach out today to learn more.

My approach to anxiety therapy in Denver

If you're here, I want to commend you for getting to the point of considering anxiety treatment. It hasn't been an easy process to decide that your needs matter and that you deserve to feel better, and I know this because I've been in your shoes before.

You feel like you always need to be "on" and keep everything under control. You think you'll feel better if you do, but somehow, this leaves you feeling overwhelmed, drained, and stuck. You want something to change so you can experience more confidence and ease, but you're not sure how to get there.

That's where therapy comes in. As a Denver anxiety therapist, I help women like you (and like me) who are seeking relief from anxiety. You'll learn how to set boundaries, stop overthinking in its tracks, and learn how to let go of control. This might sound impossible and maybe even a little scary right now, but it is totally doable—and you'll feel so much better once you lean into it.

I use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness to treat anxiety. In CBT, you'll learn to identify cognitive distortions, or the thought patterns that can lead your mind to spiral or get stuck in worry thoughts.

You'll also learn techniques (including mindfulness-based strategies) to help you get grounded when these thoughts pop up. Building awareness around the mind-body connection is a key element in healing, and mindfulness can help you do just that.

During our time together, we may also explore past trauma that may contribute to your anxiety. While traditional talk therapy approaches can be helpful in processing these life events, we can also use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to help change the way your brain reacts to triggers and memories.

Having all these tools at our disposal helps us treat anxiety in a way that's most effective for you. Our therapeutic relationship will be at the core of our work together, so we'll collaborate around your treatment and make sure that the space we share together is a safe, supportive environment where you can be unapologetically you.

FAQs about anxiety treatment in Denver

  • This is something that can be discussed further with your therapist and/or doctor. If you have been thinking about this, please reach out to a doctor or psychiatrist to get more information on what the best options for you are.

  • There are therapists throughout Denver, CO that could help with treating anxiety so it is important you find someone that you feel comfortable with. I suggest looking at therapists' websites that are in your area or profiles on Psychology Today to see if you resonate with what they say.

    I also highly recommend scheduling consultation calls with therapists before booking an appointment so you can get a better idea if you would be a good fit. A consultation call also gives you space to ask any questions you would like. Beginning therapy can be a life-changing step so "interviewing" therapists is never a bad idea in my book.

  • This is something that would be discussed with your therapist and is very individualized. We would work on your treatment plan together to ensure we have an understanding of what your goals and priorities are during your treatment. These goals may change over time, which is totally okay, and something that we would be in constant communication about.

  • Ultimately, seeking therapy is your choice. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that might indicate it's time to get help, including:

    • Trouble sleeping

    • Feeling burnt out

    • Low energy

    • Coping skills no longer working

    • Wanting more support and accountability

    • Feeling stuck

    If you experience these symptoms or struggle with panic attacks, severe anxiety, or depression, speaking with a therapist can help you make positive changes toward living a life with balance and stability.

  • Each person has their own unique goals for anxiety therapy, so what you gain from your experience might be different from someone else. With that being said, there are many common benefits to anxiety treatment. Here are just a few.

    • Learn new ways of coping with anxiety symptoms

    • Work through underlying issues that contribute to anxiety

    • Learn how to express your emotions

    • Practice setting boundaries

    • Improve relationships

    • Boost your mental health

    • Ease physical symptoms of anxiety

    I've seen these outcomes firsthand being both a provider and consumer of anxiety therapy. But you don't have to take my word for it—research shows how effective treatments like CBT can be for people with anxiety.

anxiety therapy denver

Get grounded with the help of an anxiety therapist in Denver

If you're experiencing anxiety and want to feel better but don't know how, I'm here to help. Together, we can find the treatment modalities that work best for you and help you learn how to live a more fulfilling life with more hope and less suffering.

Transparency, honesty, and compassion are key components of my work. I will guide you and will also “call you out” (with compassion and humor) to make sure you are on track to finding your truth.

Right now, it might feel like your anxiety disorder is ruling your life. While those feelings are valid, know that with effort, intention, and support, you can break through the patterns that hold you back and step into a life that's aligned with your values and goals.

When you start questioning what others expect of you, you're on the path toward healing. You are getting curious about what you want for yourself v.s. fitting the mold of what you think others expect of you. Keep getting curious!

If you're ready to get started, I encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and see whether we're the right fit for each other. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you on your journey!