If your mind has ever spun through every worst-case scenario before you’ve even had your morning coffee, you know what anxiety feels like. It’s like your brain is convinced it’s preparing you for danger, except the “danger” might be sending an email, walking into a meeting, or trying to sleep at night – technically doing its job, but it’s not proportional to the threat. A little anxiety is normal and even helpful at times, but when it’s running the show, it can leave you exhausted, on edge and struggling to focus.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, tension in your body, difficulty sleeping, a sense of dread you can’t shake, or that fun trick where your heart starts pounding because you remembered something embarrassing you did in third grade. Sometimes it’s tied to specific situations but other times, it feels like it’s just… there, lurking in the background.
Causes and Triggers
Anxiety can be genetic (thanks, family), caused by stressful life events, or just your brain’s natural response to living in a world that never stops moving.
Anxiety can stem from one (or a mix) of:
- Past trauma or stressful life events
- Chronic stress at work, school, or home
- Health issues or hormonal changes
- Substance use or withdrawal
- Perfectionism and high self-expectations
- Genetics and family history
Common triggers include big life changes, conflict, uncertainty, financial pressures, or even too much caffeine. (Yes, sadly, your fourth cup of coffee might be plotting against you.)
Types of Anxiety
Anxiety can show up in different ways. Here are some of the most common types:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent, excessive worry about everyday things
Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations
Panic Disorder: Sudden, overwhelming panic attacks with physical symptoms (your body is convinced you’re dying!)
Health Anxiety: Preoccupation with illness or physical symptoms
Performance Anxiety: Fear that you won’t meet expectations in work, school, or creative pursuits
Phobias: Extreme (often irrational) fear of specific objects or situations (spiders, flying, small talk)
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy teaches you that your thoughts aren’t facts, that “what if” scenarios usually don’t happen, and that you can handle uncertainty without your brain short-circuiting.
We won’t just tell you to “calm down” (when has that ever helped?) Instead, we’ll help you:
- Identify and challenge anxious thought patterns
- Learn grounding and relaxation techniques to calm your body
- Build tolerance for uncertainty and change
- Break the cycle of avoidance that keeps anxiety in charge
- Improve sleep, focus, and emotional balance
Therapeutic Approaches
At Counseling with Compassion, we tailor treatment to your needs. This might include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To reframe unhelpful thinking patterns
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): For emotion regulation and distress tolerance
Mindfulness-based approaches: To anchor you in the present
Exposure Therapy: To reduce fear and avoidance in a safe, controlled way
Somatic techniques: To release tension stored in the body
You don’t have to live with a mind that never switches off. With the right support, you can turn the volume down on anxiety and start feeling more in control.
We’ve made it easy for you to get started right now.
Three simple steps. No waiting lists. Just real help, right when you need it.
Reach Out
Send us an email at hello@cwcrvc.com or call us on 516-476-9057 and tell us about what’s going on.
Get Matched
We’ll connect you with the therapist best suited to your needs.
Start Sessions
In person at our Rockville Centre office or online from your couch – either way, we’ll help you take that first real step toward feeling better.
