How do you work with clients with anxiety?

When working with anxiety, I use art therapy and somatic awareness to help you externalize racing thoughts and reconnect with a sense of calm. Creative expression allows anxious energy to take shape outside of you, while body-based grounding helps regulate the nervous system. Together, we’ll develop tools to manage overwhelm and strengthen your connection to safety and self-trust.

As a trauma-informed art therapist based in Philadelphia, I believe healing begins with connection—to ourselves, our bodies, and the stories that shape us. My path to becoming a therapist has been guided by a deep curiosity about how creativity, embodiment, and compassion can help people feel more grounded and whole. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy and am both a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) and a Registered Art Therapist Provisional (ATR-P). My background includes working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and life transitions, with a particular focus on women’s issues and LGBTQ+ affirming care. In my work, I blend art therapy, somatic awareness, and person-centered approaches to support clients in finding safety within themselves and clarity in their experiences. I view therapy as a collaborative process—one that honors each person’s inherent creativity, resilience, and capacity for growth. Outside of therapy, I love thrifting and antiquing, and you can often find me curled up with a fantasy novel and my two cats, Cricket and Jerry.

The gold standard for working with clients with anxiety is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). I also incorporate Mindfulness Practices & Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills (DBT) in session. I will work with clients to help them understand their anxiety triggers and other stressors. Clients will learn skills and techniques that will help them manage their lives.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 21 years experience in an educational setting, and an additional eight years in private practice. I have a diverse portfolio of experiences. I believe that people have the natural ability to heal themselves with support. We will work together to discover new insights and perspectives in an open, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. My counseling style is genuine and practical. My empathic stance focuses on the client's needs and strengths. I am trained in the following evidence-based practices: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFBT), & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT). I hold Certifications in: Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Certified Anger Management Specialist (CAMSII), Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional (CMIP) & I am trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping). Our sessions will be informative, engaging, and individualized. You will be encouraged to grow emotionally, mentally & spiritually. You will laugh or even cry, all while learning new skills and techniques that will equip you on your journey of living the life you desire.

Anxiety can show up as overthinking, tension, or that constant sense of “what if.” Together, we slow things down—learning to notice and respond to your body and thoughts rather than be ruled by them. I blend CBT and mindfulness-based work with grounding strategies so you can build calm from the inside out. Progress often means more space to breathe, to choose, and to rest.

I’m a therapist who believes in meeting people where they are—in all the complexity that life brings. My background is in clinical social work, but my heart is in helping people feel steady and seen again. Over the years I’ve worked with anxiety, depression, trauma, and the quiet weight of everyday stress. My style is conversational, down-to-earth, and rooted in curiosity. Therapy with me isn’t about fixing who you are—it’s about finding your way back to yourself, piece by piece.

When working with clients with anxiety, we start by exploring your specific experiences and challenges. Together, we review all treatment options that may suit your situation and comfort level, including therapy, CBT techniques, and medication. The goal is to create a personalized plan that helps you manage anxiety and feel more in control.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Chanel Freeman’s journey into mental health began with a life-changing childhood experience, inspiring her commitment to mental wellbeing and helping underserved communities. She earned her BSN from D’Youville College in 2012 and spent over a decade caring for patients in mental health and substance use treatment, including on a med-surg forensic unit at a Level 1 trauma hospital. In 2020, seeking flexibility as a single mother, she earned her MSN and began practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. In January 2024, Chanel founded Chanel Freeman NP in Psychiatry PLLC, providing compassionate, accessible outpatient mental health care. Licensed in New York and Florida, she works closely with patients to offer personalized support and promote lasting mental wellbeing.

With anxiety, I work with you to understand what’s fueling it and help you build practical tools to manage it. Together, we create a supportive space where you can feel safe, calm, and more in control of your thoughts and emotions.

I’m a therapist who cares deeply about meeting you where you are. My practice is a space where you can finally slow down, feel seen, and be heard without judgment. Together, we explore what’s weighing on you and find gentle, practical ways to help you feel calmer, stronger, and more like yourself. I am in-network with Aetna, CDPHP, Cigna and Evernorth, Fidelis, and MVP Health Care.

I help clients with anxiety by teaching calming techniques, exploring underlying thoughts and triggers, and using approaches like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to reduce worry, manage stress, and build long-term coping skills.

My path to becoming a therapist is deeply personal. Over the years, I have experienced grief, loss, divorce, trauma, abuse, and major life transitions in my own journey. These experiences not only shaped my understanding of suffering but also deepened my heart for walking with others who find themselves in painful or uncertain seasons. I know firsthand how overwhelming life can feel, and I also see the hope and restoration that can come through faith, healing, and connection. In addition to my personal journey, I have spent many years as a social worker in the hospice field, supporting individuals and families through end-of-life care, loss, and the grieving process. These experiences deepened my calling to create a safe and compassionate space for people in their most vulnerable moments. They also strengthened my belief that healing is possible even in seasons of sorrow, especially when we lean on faith and community. Today, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in supporting individuals through grief, loss, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and faith-centered—grounded in the belief that every person is created in God’s image and deeply loved by Him. At Connect & Restore Therapy, I blend evidence-based practices with Christian values, offering a safe space where you can process your story, rediscover your strength, and move forward with clarity and peace. It is my privilege to walk alongside you, not only as a therapist but also as someone who has walked through valleys and experienced God’s grace and renewal firsthand. Together, we can lean into hope and pursue the healing and restoration God desires for your life. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

We start by talking about how and when the client experiences anxiety. Our goal is to identify triggers (events in our past or present, specific fears, etc.) and consider ways to minimize or avoid these triggers. I use an eclectic counseling approach to teach grounding techniques and tools to help the client decrease the severity of anxiety attacks. Together we work on positive self-talk to change the narrative so that anxiety is no longer in control of their lives.

I have over 25 years of experience helping teens and adults through anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and loss. Most clients already have everything that they need to overcome the obstacles that they encounter; they just need a little help developing and implementing a plan. I use an eclectic and trauma informed approach to meet clients where they are and guide them on their journey to becoming happier, healthier, and more satisfied with their lives.

When working with clients with anxiety, I create a supportive and structured environment where they can safely explore their thoughts, emotions, and triggers. I use evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and relaxation strategies, to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical coping skills. The goal is to reduce distress, improve emotional regulation, and empower clients to manage anxiety effectively in their daily lives while building confidence and resilience.

Bridget is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), EMDR-trained, and a Certified Grief Therapist (CGT). She brings extensive experience in mental health care, having worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as residential programs and intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs for adolescents and young adults. She approaches therapy as a collaborative, supportive journey rooted in trust, respect, and authentic connection. She believes that meaningful and lasting change begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood—not only by others, but by oneself. Dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic space, Bridget invites clients to explore their inner world with curiosity, courage, and compassion. With her warm and grounded presence, she helps individuals cultivate self-awareness, foster emotional healing, and support sustained psychological growth. Bridget works with clients across the lifespan, including children as young as three, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, offering individualized, developmentally appropriate care. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and is currently pursuing Certifications in Neuropsychotherapy, Neural Desensitization and Integration, and ADHD Assessment & Treatment. She integrates a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s unique needs, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Mindfulness-Based Interventions Psychodynamic Therapy Bridget is particularly attuned to how shame, guilt, and inner conflict contribute to emotional distress and disconnection from self and others. She helps clients strengthen emotional regulation, cultivate self-compassion, and develop insight into their internal experiences. Her approach combines relational and neuropsychological perspectives, recognizing the brain’s remarkable capacity for growth, adaptation, and healing. Areas of Clinical Expertise: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Anxiety and Panic Disorders Depressive and Mood Disorders Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions Outside of work, Bridget nurtures her own growth and balance through time with family and friends, connecting with nature, journaling, reading, traveling, drawing, biking, practicing yoga and mindfulness, kayaking, playing soccer and lacrosse, running, and enjoying games—especially chess! Bridget resonates deeply with the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald: “For what it’s worth … it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be … there’s no time limit — start whenever you want … you can change or stay the same — there are no rules to this thing … we can make the best or the worst of it … I hope you make the best of it … I hope you see things that startle you … I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before … I hope you meet people with a different point of view … I hope you live a life you’re proud of … and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again.” 970-400-7319 [email protected] Psychiatric Services of the Rockies Fort Collins, CO