Therapy for Anxiety in Massachusetts
Anxiety treatment and therapy in Amherst, Franklin, West Springfield, Wilbraham, and Natick MA
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and existing in a never-ending state of worry? Are fear and self-doubt holding you back from moving forward with your goals? Are your efforts to fix and control your worries making you feel more anxious?
If you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety or a specific type of anxiety disorder, you are not alone.
Everyone experiences anxiety and can benefit from learning how to manage it with therapy.
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting nearly 19% of adults? Anxiety disorders are also highly treatable.
Our trained and compassionate therapists at Handel Behavioral Health (HBH) are here to help you uncover the underlying causes of your worries and fears; learn how to look at situations differently; how to relax; and develop positive coping and problem-solving skills.
By working with one of our skilled therapists online or in-person from our offices in Amherst, Franklin, West Springfield, Wilbraham, or Natick, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and appropriate treatment to find relief from your anxiety.
Contact us today at (413) 343-4357 to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists!
When to Seek Counseling for Anxiety?
From work-related stress to relationship changes to losing a loved one, there are many different causes of anxiety.
It’s time to seek counseling for anxiety when these feelings begin to persist for long periods of time or we aren’t able to function because of them.
Symptoms and Side Effects of Anxiety Can Include:
- Excessive worry
- Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
- Panic attacks
- Rapid heart rate
- Feelings of restlessness
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Upset stomach or muscle tension
Depending on the symptoms, there are several anxiety disorders that someone could have.
Common Anxiety Disorders Include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: this involves persistent symptoms of anxiety caused by daily life and events around you.
Social Anxiety Disorder: this typically means a high level of fear, worry, or anxiety in social situations or feelings of embarrassment, low self-esteem, and fear of judgment.
Panic Disorder: this involves recurrent panic attacks that cause intense but quick feelings of terror, danger, and physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate, and many others.
Specific Phobias: as opposed to Generalized Anxiety Disorder which is common in everyday life and is not always directed towards one situation, phobias are highly specific and involve panic attacks, stress, and other symptoms depending on the person.
How we treat these symptoms and disorders looks different for everyone. Our therapists believe that there is no one-size-fits all approach to therapy, and that treatment goes beyond just a diagnosis.
Anxiety Treatment in Massachusetts at HBH
We understand that it may feel overwhelming to seek counseling for anxiety in Massachusetts.
Many people are afraid that they’ll be seen as weak or flawed for seeking support.
By trying to manage and “fix” your anxiety alone you may end up feeling more isolated, flawed, and overwhelmed. Since anxiety often stems from life experiences and issues outside of your control, the healing process requires support.
Our therapists and counselors at HBH offer an individualized approach to treatment and therapy, putting you at the center of your recovery. While some of your work in therapy may feel difficult, our therapists are here to support you with compassion and assurance no matter what.
What does therapy for anxiety look like?
Our counselors offer a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities and techniques tailored to your specific needs and goals. If you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for example, your treatment plan will differ from someone who needs help for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or anxiety attacks.
While there are many therapeutic approaches used to help treat and manage anxiety, the most well-known evidence-based approach is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Our trained therapists and counselors offer CBT in the treatment of panic disorders, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, among many other conditions.
CBT helps people identify how unhelpful thoughts and feelings may contribute to negative thoughts or symptoms, like anxiety. You will learn how to identify and replace negative thoughts with beliefs, helping you to become intentional with your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present moment.
Exposure therapy for anxiety is also a common form of treatment, which exposes you to the situations or objects you fear.
If you have a fear of intimacy, you may steer clear of relationships or getting too close to people. If you have a fear of heights, you may drive hours out of the way to avoid crossing a bridge. Whatever situation you’re fearing, your avoidance is only making your fear stronger.
When you practice exposure therapy with one of our trained therapists, you will be gradually and repeatedly exposed to situations you fear: resulting in an increased sense of control over the situation that you’re afraid of and reduced anxiety. Depending on your needs, exposure therapy may be used alone, or your therapist may offer it as part of CBT.
Many of our therapists offer mindfulness-based skills like meditation and breathing exercises to help you psychologically respond to stressful situations in a healthier way. Instead of trying to change the present moment, mindfulness-based skills are long term strategies to change the situations that are in your control.
Start Working With a Therapist for Anxiety at HBH Today
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is a new chance at living your best life. By working with one of our trained therapists and counselors to recover from anxiety and anxiety disorders, you are doing exactly that.
At HBH Therapy our trained therapists and counselors are here to support you with the tools and insight you need to keep living a healthy life, even after treatment is finished.
Contact us today by calling (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online to start working with one of our experienced therapists.