Everyone experiences stress and most people experience anxiety at some point in their life. Stress usually has a clear cause and eases up once the situation passes. Anxiety tends to stick around even when nothing is going wrong, and it can feel out of proportion to what’s actually happening. It might look like constant worry, a racing mind at night, tension in your body, or avoiding things because they set off the anxious feelings. If anxiety is showing up most days, taking up a lot of your headspace, or getting in the way of work, relationships, or sleep, it’s worth talking to a therapist. You don’t have to hit a certain level of “bad enough” to get support.

Anxiety shows up in your thoughts, your body, and your behavior. You might notice constant worry or overthinking, trouble relaxing or falling asleep, restlessness, a tight chest, a racing heart, stomach trouble, or muscle tension. Some people have panic attacks, which feel like a sudden wave of intense fear with physical symptoms that can seem scary in the moment. Many people also start avoiding things, like social situations, dating, or decisions, to keep the anxiety down.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most researched and well-supported treatment for anxiety. It helps you notice the thought patterns and habits that keep anxiety going and gives you practical skills to change them, including gradually facing the things you’ve been avoiding. I also use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps you make room for anxious feelings while still moving toward the things that matter to you, and I bring in an attachment lens when anxiety shows up in relationships.

How long it takes for you depends on what you’re dealing with, how long you’ve been dealing with it, and how much you’re able to practice the skills between sessions. Some people wrap up after a few months, and others like to keep coming for ongoing support. We’ll check in regularly so you always know how it’s going and what’s next.

They can look similar, and they often show up together. Anxiety usually centers on worries about real-life things, while OCD involves intrusive thoughts and doubts that feel out of character, plus a need to do something (like checking, seeking reassurance, or replaying things in your mind) to get relief or certainty. The treatments are different, so it helps to get it right. If your anxiety feels like it comes with rituals or a need to be sure, take a look at my page on OCD therapy, or book a consult and we can sort it out together.