How do you work with clients with anxiety?

For many of my clients, anxiety isn’t just "worrying"—it’s a sophisticated radar system they developed to keep themselves safe. You might find yourself constantly scanning for other people’s moods ("walking on eggshells") or over-preparing for every possible outcome. This is often linked to the "Fawn Response." I work with anxiety by helping you understand why your alarm system is going off, thanking it for trying to protect you, and then teaching you practical skills to dial down the volume so you can relax.

Hi, I’m Jenn. I'm a Resident in Counseling and the founder of The Mind Garden, a boutique, online-only practice in Virginia. I specialize in helping millennials who are exhausted from holding it all together. If you are the person everyone else relies on, but you feel like you have no one to lean on yourself, you are in the right place. If you struggle with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or the inability to say "no" without guilt, I can help you move from surviving your life to inhabiting it. My approach is warm, evidence-based (IFS & CBT), and entirely human-first.

I believe working with clients experiencing anxiety is one of my specialties.  I believe it’s important to teach clients what anxiety is, where it comes from and develop skills to address it.

I offer a unique style—a blend of insight-oriented, practical problem solving and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients achieve their goals.  

Working with clients who have anxiety involves a multifaceted approach that focuses on understanding their unique needs and providing tailored support. Here are some key components of how I work with clients with anxiety: 1. **Assessment and Diagnosis:** I begin by conducting a thorough assessment to understand the specific nature and severity of the client's anxiety. This may involve discussions about their symptoms, triggers, and past experiences. 2. **Establishing Rapport: Building a trusting and empathetic relationship with the client is essential. I create a safe and non-judgmental space where they can openly discuss their concerns and feelings. 3. Psychoeducation: I provide education about anxiety, its physiological and psychological aspects, and the various treatment options available. This helps clients understand their condition and the rationale behind treatment choices. 4. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is an evidence-based approach that I often incorporate. It helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, manage their anxiety, and develop coping strategies. 5. Exposure Therapy: For clients with specific phobias or social anxiety, exposure therapy can be effective. Gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations helps desensitize them. 6. Relaxation and Mindfulness Techniques: I teach clients relaxation exercises, deep breathing, and mindfulness practices to manage physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety. 7. Medication Management: In some cases, medication may be a part of the treatment plan. I discuss the potential benefits and side effects of medications and closely monitor their effects. 8. Stress Management: I help clients identify stressors in their life and develop effective stress management strategies. This can include time management, problem-solving, and lifestyle adjustments. 9. Supportive Therapy: Providing emotional support is crucial. I actively listen to clients, validate their experiences, and offer encouragement as they work through their anxiety. 10. Regular Monitoring: I schedule follow-up appointments to track progress, make adjustments to the treatment plan if necessary, and ensure that clients are achieving their therapy goals. 11. Collaboration: I often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, or primary care physicians, to provide comprehensive care and address any comorbid conditions. 12. Holistic Approach: I emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to mental health, including good nutrition, exercise, and sleep, which can significantly impact anxiety symptoms. 13. Self-Help Strategies: I empower clients to develop self-help strategies they can use between sessions to manage anxiety effectively. Overall, my approach to working with clients with anxiety is highly individualized, focusing on their unique needs and preferences while integrating evidence-based treatments to help them achieve their therapeutic goals.

Mariam Odu-Onikosi is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. She graduated from Walden University. She is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Registered Nurse and Psychiatric Nursing Professional offering an accomplished combination of education and experience with Hospital, Inpatient/Outpatient Psychiatry, Drug/Alcohol Treatment center, Rehab, home health, and clinical training. She has a strong history of success in the treatment of psychiatric illness, medical and emotional illness including environmental, sociological, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders. She focuses on developing a personalized treatment plan while utilizing evidence-based pharmacological and non pharmacological modalities to support each client. In her spare time, Mariam enjoys cooking, exploring restaurants, and planning small events for her friends and family.

Managing anxiety begins with us working together to identify the root of the anxiety and working together to develop coping skills. If and when appropriate the application of EMDR to process and place the source of that anxiety into a manageable space in your mind. 

I have 10 years of behavioral health experience, working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Specialized in Equine Assisted EMDR therapy. Offering services with and without the support of our equine partners.   This is a supervised private practice. It is owned and managed by a masters level non-independent licensed under Board-approved clinical supervision pursuant to A.A.C. R4-6-211. The board approved clinical supervisor of this practice is Jessica Anderson, MA, LPC. Phone: (623) 252-0482 Email: [email protected] 

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when worrying takes over and prevents you from fully living life, we are here to help. Replaying past situations in your head or rehearing conversations that may or may not even happen in the future becomes exhausting. Fear about everyday situations creeps in despite efforts to relax. You may experience panic attacks, waves of fear that immobilize you and leave your heart racing. Panic attacks often strike seemingly out of the blue without a clear reason and can make you feel like you’re dying. Therapy can help the person to understand and manage their emotions. This can help to reduce feelings of both anxiety, depression, and many other concerns. You’ll discover that your emotions are little messengers who help alert you when something isn’t quite right or even unfair. Managing your emotions doesn’t mean they’ll go away; in fact, you will learn to experience your emotions more deeply. Therapy can also help you develop better coping skills to manage life’s stressors. Sometimes, life can be challenging, even unfair. There may be times when you don’t really feel like life is giving you lemons so much as pelting you with them. Through various breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or even jamming out to your favorite song, you can discover new ways to deal with difficult situations in a healthier way. We all have difficulties at work, at home, and at times, even with our friends, and learning to deal with these problems is a necessary component of leading a healthy lifestyle. In addition, therapy can help you get to the root cause of anxiety and create a plan to tackle it.

Now scheduling in person and telehealth sessions. Help is available for symptoms of anxiety and depression, working through past trauma, managing perfectionism, improving communication with others, relationship concerns, navigating workplace dynamics and more. We specialize in complex trauma/CPTSD.

Starting off by Psycho education of the variety of anxiety symptoms there are, discussion of possible triggers or patterns the client has experienced and discussion and rehearsal of coping skills to reduce overall stress and symptoms. 

Lizette is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been helping individuals, children and families for 19 years. She earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree of Science in Counseling. She has clinical experience with individual and family sessions, conducting groups, and working as a Clinical Director. Her philosophy is helping teach families and children ways to enrich their abilities and help them thrive. Lizette’s first step is to help de-mystify psychological terms in order for everyone to gain a better understanding of what is going on. The work begins when skills are introduced in order to increase the use of positive emotional management. Let’s face it – change is hard, when trying to stop or start something new everything takes time, but it can be done with clinical help and support. She utilizes a variety of tools that can help in decreasing problematic symptoms to include Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoeducation, Grounding Techniques and the list goes on. Everything will be openly communicated and tailored to your individual needs in order to make sure the treatment plan is a good fit.

When working with clients who experience anxiety, it's important to create a safe, supportive environment and build trust by going at their pace. Calming techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, or mindfulness can help manage symptoms in the moment. Normalizing anxiety and explaining how it works in the brain can reduce shame and increase understanding. Exploring triggers and thought patterns allows for greater self-awareness, and cognitive techniques—like challenging negative thoughts—can help shift unhelpful thinking. Approaches should be tailored to the individual, and gradual exposure to fears may be helpful when appropriate. It's also essential to recognize when a client may need referral to a licensed mental health professional for further support.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexities of life and wonder where to turn for guidance? I offer a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can safely explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. My approach is rooted in the belief that every individual is unique, and healing is a collaborative journey tailored to your specific needs. I work with clients of all ages, helping you navigate challenges and build the life you envision. In our sessions, uncover the patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You’ll learn how your past influences the present and to embrace change. Whether you are dealing with mental health issues, cultural differences, challenges with motherhood, or conflicts within your family, I provide practical tools and empathetic support to strengthen connections and foster mutual understanding. Overall, my holistic and integrative approach transforms challenges into opportunities for personal growth. With each session, we cultivate a comprehensive understanding of your personal narrative, enabling you to unlock your potential and live a more authentic life. I am committed to provide guidance as you transform challenges into growth and fulfillment. We will work together to gain insight, overcome obstacles, and move forward with confidence and empowerment.

Anxiety can be very scary and unsettling.  I will work with you to learn different techniques that will help you reframe your thoughts and bring them back to present which will allow you to look at things more calmly, objectively and take back control over the situation. 

My name is Val Warne.  I live in Northern Michigan, am married and have 2 grown daughters.  I love the outdoors, nature and the slower pace of life this area offers. I have been a therapist for over 30 years and have worked in both the public and private sector.  I spent 10 years working with teens transitioning from high school to college, trade school or the work force and 18 years with the VA where I worked with disabled veterans transitioning back to civilian life and employment.  I also worked for several years in a private, out patient, rehabilitation facility that focused on closed head injury. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of populations over the years and have developed a broad and diverse range of skill sets as a result.  I am vested and committed to helping you in your journey to healing.

I have worked with a diverse group of clients that struggle with anxiety and panic. These scary and anxiety-producing experiences can be approached from a mindfulness perspective. I teach clients strategies that help bring them into the present moment and out of their head. These strategies should be practiced at a time when the client is not experiencing panic so that they can be more prepared to use the techniques when they are feeling panic. The time to get to know your tools and equipment is not in the moment that you NEED them... get to know them before you are in need.

My goal is to empower clients to make positive changes. It can be difficult to envision positive changes and growth when you don't see the way. I have worked with so many diverse people over the years that have experienced events that left them with difficulty coping. I have experience working with people who have experienced traumatic events in their lives. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, ODD, and many other difficulties people face. I've worked with parents to understand how to help their child. I'm a HeartMath Certified Practitioner, which brings some incredible strategies to the table. My eclectic approach allows me to collaborate with clients and tailor services to their specific needs. Mindfulness is an incredible way to become grounded, and it offers the space to respond to stressful situations rather than reacting to them. I use CBT and other mindfulness techniques to focus on exactly what clients can do in the moment to focus. Through my experience I understand how difficult it may be to reach out for help. I have found that the energy of another person often acts as a buffer during counseling sessions. A counselor often provides that space for open communication between family members. I welcome you to call or email today. I am an LPC intern working under the supervision of Dr. Angela Waggoner, LPC | VA license number 0701007809.

When I work with anxiety, I see it as your body’s way of trying to keep you safe—even when it overdoes it. Together, we slow things down enough to understand what’s underneath the tension and racing thoughts. I teach tools for calming the nervous system and gently reconnecting with your own sense of steadiness. We’ll explore both the surface triggers and the deeper stories that fuel the worry, so you can respond to stress from a calmer, more centered place. My style is warm, straightforward, and rooted in helping you build trust in yourself again.

As a licensed therapist, I bring over two decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through life's most challenging transitions. My practice centers on helping clients navigate complex emotional landscapes, with specialized expertise in depression, anxiety, grief, and mood disorders. I offer a deeply empathetic approach to addressing personal challenges such as social anxiety, isolation, workplace stress, and life transitions. My therapeutic work focuses on empowering individuals to cultivate self-love, develop resilient coping strategies, and heal from traumatic experiences. My professional background includes extensive work supporting women's mental health, caregivers, and individuals confronting significant life changes—from divorce and midlife transitions to serious health diagnoses. I am committed to creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, build inner strength, and develop meaningful pathways toward personal growth and emotional wellness.