Therapy for Anxiety
online // texas
Hi, my name is Stephanie.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and anxiety therapist in Houston, Texas.
Do you find yourself feeling worried and spend your time constantly replaying the events of the day? Feeling restless to the point that you’re unable to sit still or relax?
When you wake up in the morning, you notice a feeling of dread as you review your endless “to do” list. Or you struggle to get to sleep at night as you’re filled with fear that you made the wrong decisions throughout the day.
You might even be having headaches, stomachaches or panic attacks.
The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable, and I’m here to help.
I help adults drop the struggle with anxiety so they can live with more ease and perform at their best.
If you’re ready to get started with anxiety therapy, contact me today to schedule an appointment.
My approach to therapy for anxiety.
Anxiety is a normal response to stress and one of the most common reasons individuals seek therapy in Houston, TX. I am passionate about helping people navigate anxiety as this is something I have experienced myself. I have found ways to cope with anxiety that enable me to feel capable and confident on my path, and I love helping others do the same.
I work with busy adults who appear like they have it together on the outside but are feeling overwhelmed on the inside. My clients are usually very successful in their academic and career endeavors but experience things like negative thinking, perfectionism, rumination, and excessive worrying.
Anxiety demands our attention and oftentimes pulls us towards solutions that work well in the short term like numbing, avoiding, and procrastinating. My approach to anxiety treatment focuses on teaching you to accept what is out of your control and commit to taking action to improve the things you can. Therapy for anxiety can help you establish routines and habits that have more long-term benefits.
We may or may not eliminate anxiety completely, but my hope is that you feel encouraged to make the changes that you can. My goal as an anxiety therapist is to help you live now and live fully despite feeling anxious.
Therapy for anxiety can help you get out of your head and into your life.
How anxiety therapy works:
step one
Get started here. During our first meeting, we’ll chat about what brings you into therapy and what you’d like to get out of the process.
step two
During the first month of therapy, we’ll get to know each other and work together to create a plan that will help you reach your goals.
step three
We’ll continue to meet weekly or biweekly to learn strategies for improving your relationship with anxiety.
Greater Heights starts here.
Frequently asked questions+ What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal emotion. It’s your body’s natural response to stress and a way of alerting you of potential danger ahead. Anxiety activates our “fight or flight” response and can be essential for survival in certain circumstances.
Healthy anxiety comes and goes and does not hinder your ability to function in your daily life. However, anxiety can linger and become unhealthy when it interferes with eating, sleeping, working, or engaging with the world. That’s when working with an anxiety therapist in Houston can be helpful.
+ Are there different types of anxiety?
It is a normal part of life to experience anxiety. If it becomes persistent and uncontrollable it might reach classification of an “anxiety disorder” such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobias, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety or Separation Anxiety (per the American Psychiatric Association APA).
+ What are common symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety looks different from person to person and each individual has a unique presentation of anxiety symptoms.
Some common symptoms of anxiety include:
- increased heart rate
- rapid breathing
- sweating
- restlessness
- trembling
- difficulty sleeping
- gastrointestinal problems
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- nausea
- muscle tenseness
- feeling nervous
- feeling fearful
- inability to concentrate
- ruminating
- irritability
- excessive worrying.
+ What are some common treatments or coping skills for managing anxiety?
Therapy is a great tool for anxiety treatment. Different types of therapy can be effective for treating anxiety, such as CBT
I use an approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which includes learning mindfulness and self-compassion, as well as identifying values and setting goals. ACT proposes that by increasing your acceptance of anxiety you develop psychological flexibility which leads to greater quality of life and wellbeing.
Lifestyle changes for managing anxiety include: eating well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and limiting caffeine.
Coping skills for managing anxiety include: mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, laughter, listening to music, and other relaxation practices.
+ Can medication help reduce the symptoms of anxiety?
Yes. Not all individuals with anxiety will require medication but there are certainly some that will benefit.
As an anxiety therapist, I do not prescribe medication. The first step would be getting a medication evaluation by a psychiatrist. I can assist in this process by providing you with a referral to a trusted psychiatrist.
The most common medication used to treat anxiety disorders is an antidepressant. In limited circumstances, you might be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken on an as needed basis for short-term relief.
+ What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Anxiety and stress both affect the mind and body.
The origin of stress is external, like work pressure, relationship issues, or life events. Stress usually dissipates once the external issue has been resolved.
The origin of anxiety is internal, and it usually persists after the concern has been resolved.