Therapy for Anxiety in Denver, CO
Anxiety can be described as a response to stress, uncertainty, or perceived threat. It’s part of our body’s protective system, meant to keep us alert, aware, and safe. But when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or disconnected from immediate danger, it can start to interfere with daily life.
At its core, anxiety is the nervous system’s way of signaling “something isn’t right,” even when there may not be an actual threat present. The brain becomes conditioned to certain neural pathways, and when there is consistent anticipation and worry, the nervous system tries to protect you from those thoughts, typically trying to help calm the worry by thinking through worst case scenarios in order to be “prepared for anything.” The constant anxiety, however, interferes with daily functioning in stress response, nervous system overload, and the ability to stay present.
Types of Anxiety
-
Generalized anxiety is characterized by excessive and persistent worry that feels difficult to control. Generalized anxiety typically involves a constant sense of apprehension that impacts many areas of life, such as health, work, relationships, or everyday responsibilities.
You might feel like your brain can’t “shut off,” or that you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, even when things are going well.
-
Panic attacks can be described as sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. They often come on unexpectedly and can feel physically and emotionally overwhelming. Common symptoms include a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and a loss of control.
-
Specific phobias involve an intense fear of a particular object, situation, or activity. Like generalized anxiety, the fear is typically disproportionate to the actual threat and can lead to immediate anxiety or panic when faced with the trigger. It can also impact daily functioning, such as being consumed with anxious thoughts, and doing what you can to avoid the object or situation.
-
OCD is an anxiety disorder marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) performed in attempt to reduce distress. While the rituals may bring temporary relief, the cycle tends to repeat, thus reinforcing the obsessive thoughts. OCD is typically incredibly time consuming, which can lead to heightened distress and impact the ability to stay present.
With the right support, anxiety is highly treatable. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety and are looking for an approach that goes beyond talk therapy, you’re in the right place! In my practice, I use a blend of evidence-based tools and compassionate, mind-body approaches to help individuals find lasting relief from anxiety. More specifically, I utilize Internal Family Systems and EMDR therapy, two modalities that go beyond just managing symptoms, to address the deeper roots of anxiety. Together, we’ll work to calm your nervous system, shift unhelpful patterns, and build tools for grounding and self-trust.