Anxiety Therapy in Denver

Understanding Anxiety and Its Impact

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried - it's a complex response that affects your thoughts, emotions, body, and behavior. While some anxiety is normal and even helpful, it becomes a problem when it:

• Interferes with your daily activities or relationships

• Causes you to avoid situations you want or need to engage in

• Creates physical symptoms that feel overwhelming

• Leads to constant worry about future events

• Makes it difficult to concentrate or make decisions

• Affects your sleep, appetite, or overall wellbeing

You're not weak for struggling with anxiety, and you don't have to "just get over it." Anxiety often develops for good reasons, and with the right support, you can learn to manage it effectively.

Types of Anxiety I Treat

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life that feels difficult to control.

Social Anxiety: Intense fear or discomfort in social situations, often accompanied by worry about being judged or embarrassed.

Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks accompanied by fear of having future attacks or changing behavior to avoid them.

Specific Phobias: Intense fear of specific objects, situations, or activities that leads to avoidance.

Health Anxiety: Persistent worry about having or developing serious medical conditions.

Performance Anxiety: Anxiety related to work, school, creative pursuits, or other performance-based situations.

Relationship Anxiety: Worry and fear related to romantic relationships, friendships, or family dynamics.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Physical Symptoms:

• Racing heart or chest tightness

• Shortness of breath or feeling like you can't breathe

• Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach issues

• Sweating, trembling, or feeling hot/cold

• Fatigue or restlessness

• Sleep difficulties

Emotional and Mental Symptoms:

• Constant worry or racing thoughts

• Feeling on edge or easily startled

• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

• Irritability or mood swings

• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control

• Fear of losing control or "going crazy"

Behavioral Changes:

• Avoiding certain situations or places

• Procrastination or difficulty making decisions

• Seeking excessive reassurance from others

• Checking behaviors or repetitive actions

• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

The Roots of Anxiety

Anxiety rarely develops without reason. Understanding where your anxiety comes from can be key to healing it. Common contributing factors include:

Past Experiences and Trauma:

• Childhood experiences of instability or unpredictability

• Traumatic events or ongoing stress

• Medical procedures or health scares

• Bullying, rejection, or social trauma

• Family patterns of anxiety or worry

Current Life Stressors:

• Work or financial pressures

• Relationship difficulties or major life changes

• Health concerns or chronic illness

• Caregiving responsibilities

• Social isolation or lack of support

Systemic and Cultural Factors:

• Living in marginalized communities

• Discrimination or oppression

• Social media and constant connectivity

• Perfectionism and achievement pressure

• Societal expectations and gender roles

My Approach to Anxiety Therapy

Rather than just managing symptoms, I focus on understanding your unique anxiety story and addressing both immediate concerns and underlying causes.

Trauma-Informed Perspective: Many anxiety disorders have roots in traumatic experiences or chronic stress. We'll explore these connections and use approaches like EMDR therapy when appropriate.

Body-Based Healing: Anxiety lives in your body as much as your mind. We'll work with somatic approaches to help your nervous system find calm and regulation.

Liberation Focus: We'll examine how societal pressures, systemic oppression, and cultural expectations contribute to your anxiety, helping you separate your authentic concerns from imposed fears.

Practical Tools: While we address root causes, I'll also teach you concrete skills for managing anxiety in the moment and preventing it from escalating.

Therapeutic Approaches I Use

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Learning to identify and change thought patterns that fuel anxiety while developing practical coping strategies.

Mindfulness and Acceptance: Building skills to observe anxious thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them.

Somatic Approaches: Working with your body's nervous system to build resilience and calm your anxiety response.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Understanding the parts of yourself that create anxiety and the parts that try to protect you from it.

Exposure Therapy: Gradually and safely facing feared situations to reduce avoidance and build confidence.

EMDR for Anxiety: Processing past experiences that contribute to current anxiety patterns. Learn more about EMDR therapy.

Anxiety and Related Concerns

Anxiety often intersects with other mental health challenges. I have experience treating anxiety alongside:

Depression: Anxiety and depression frequently occur together, creating cycles that can feel overwhelming. Learn more about depression therapy.

Trauma: Past traumatic experiences often contribute to anxiety disorders. Healing trauma can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. Learn more about trauma therapy.

Eating Disorders: Anxiety around food, body image, or social eating situations can contribute to disordered eating patterns. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.

Body Image Issues: Anxiety about appearance or how others perceive you can significantly impact self-esteem and daily functioning.

What Anxiety Recovery Looks Like

Recovery from anxiety isn't about never feeling anxious again - it's about developing a healthier relationship with anxiety and building resilience. You can expect to work toward:

Understanding Your Anxiety: Learning what triggers your anxiety and why it developed, helping you respond with compassion rather than frustration.

Practical Coping Skills: Developing a toolkit of strategies for managing anxiety in the moment and preventing it from escalating.

Nervous System Regulation: Building your body's capacity to return to calm after experiencing anxiety.

Facing Your Fears: Gradually confronting avoided situations with support and confidence.

Living Authentically: Making decisions based on your values rather than your fears, even when anxiety is present.

Self-Compassion: Treating yourself with kindness when anxiety arises instead of criticism or shame.

Anxiety Therapy in Denver: Creating Safety and Support

My Denver office is designed to be a calm, safe space where you can explore your anxiety without judgment. Many people worry about being anxious during therapy sessions - this is completely normal and expected.

Your pace: We'll move at a speed that feels manageable for you. Healing anxiety takes time, and there's no rush.

Collaborative approach: You're the expert on your own experience. I'm here to provide support, tools, and guidance while you lead your own healing process.

Cultural sensitivity: I understand how anxiety intersects with identity, culture, and life circumstances, and I'm committed to providing culturally responsive care.

Ready to Find Relief from Anxiety?

Living with anxiety can feel exhausting and isolating, but you don't have to struggle alone. With the right support and tools, it's possible to reduce anxiety's grip on your life and rediscover a sense of calm and confidence.

You deserve to feel peace in your own mind and body.

Schedule a consultation to discuss how anxiety therapy can help you find relief and build resilience.

Related services: Depression Therapy | Anxiety Therapy | Trauma Therapy | Body Image Therapy | EMDR Therapy | Relationship Therapy | Postpartum Therapy | Nutrition Therapy

More about my approach: My therapeutic philosophy