When Anxiety Starts Taking Over
Anxiety looks different for everyone. For some people, it feels like nonstop worrying. For others, it may show up as irritability, avoidance, physical tension, panic, or difficulty concentrating.
You may benefit from anxiety therapy if you are experiencing:
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Constant worry or racing thoughts
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Trouble concentrating
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Feeling restless or on edge
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Muscle tension & fatigue
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Panic attacks or shortness of breath
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Avoiding places or situations
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Sleep problems
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Overwhelm or irritability
You do not have to identify with every symptom for therapy to be helpful.
How Anxiety Therapy Can Help
The goal of anxiety therapy is not simply to tell you to “stop worrying.”
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Therapy helps you understand your individual patterns — what triggers anxiety, how your thoughts and body respond, what behaviors may be reinforcing the cycle, and what strategies can help you regain a greater sense of control.
Depending on your needs, therapy may help you:
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Recognize anxiety triggers and patterns
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Challenge unhelpful or fear-based thinking
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Develop healthier coping strategies
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Reduce avoidance
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Improve emotional regulation
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Learn grounding and relaxation techniques
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Build confidence in difficult situations
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Improve communication and relationships
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Develop greater tolerance for uncertainty
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Feel more present in everyday life
Our Approach to Anxiety Treatment
There is no single approach that works for everyone. Our therapists use a variety of evidence-informed approaches based on each client's age, concerns, goals, and preferences.
Your therapy may incorporate approaches such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help identify the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Therapy may focus on recognizing patterns that contribute to anxiety and developing more helpful ways of responding.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills
DBT-informed strategies can help with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and managing intense emotions.
Mindfulness and Grounding
Learning how to slow down, reconnect with the present moment, and recognize what is happening in your body can be helpful when anxiety feels overwhelming.
Client-Centered Therapy
Therapy should feel collaborative. Your therapist will work with you at a pace that feels appropriate while creating space to explore the concerns that brought you to counseling.
Anxiety Therapy for Adults
Anxiety in adulthood can show up in many areas of life — careers, relationships, parenting, health concerns, finances, major decisions, or simply the pressure of trying to manage everything at once.
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Therapy provides a private place to understand what is contributing to your anxiety and begin developing strategies that can make everyday life feel more manageable.
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Whether your anxiety is new or something you have dealt with for years, support is available.
Anxiety Therapy for Teens
Teenagers face a unique combination of academic pressure, friendships, social media, family expectations, identity development, and uncertainty about the future.
Anxiety may appear as excessive worrying, perfectionism, irritability, avoidance, changes in sleep, difficulty attending school, or withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed.
Our teen therapists help adolescents build coping skills, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop healthier ways of managing anxiety.
Anxiety Therapy for Children
Children do not always have the words to explain that they are anxious.
Anxiety may instead appear as stomachaches, difficulty separating from parents, trouble sleeping, school avoidance, frequent reassurance seeking, emotional outbursts, or fear surrounding certain situations.
Therapy can give children age-appropriate ways to understand their emotions, express what they are experiencing, and build coping skills.
Parents and caregivers may also be involved when appropriate.
Anxiety Therapy in Portsmouth & Warren, RI
Lighthouse Counseling Associates provides in-person counseling through our Portsmouth and Warren offices, allowing clients in Rhode Island's East Bay and surrounding communities to access therapy close to home.
For clients who prefer virtual appointments or cannot easily attend in person, telehealth can also provide convenient access to therapy from anywhere in Rhode Island.
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If you are looking for an anxiety therapist in Rhode Island, our team can help you explore in-person options in Portsmouth or Warren and telehealth anywhere in the state.