Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Anxiety, Panic, Worry

Anxiety involves an overestimate of the potential for severe consequences. This "catastrophic thinking" feeds anxious worry, for many to the point of panic.

Avoidance Blocks Recovery

Treatment for Specific Anxiety Disorders

Panic Attacks

Social Anxiety (includes Public Speaking Anxiety)

Phobias (flying, subway, driving, animal, medical, etc.)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Agoraphobia

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People who struggle with anxiety come to avoid experiences associated with fear. Because avoidance blocks natural fear reducing processes relief is only short-term. At the next encounter the fear returns, often at a heightened level. The result is a recurring cycle of fear and avoidance leading to frustration and despair.

Reversing the Cycle

To treat anxiety, panic and worry, several strategies are used. Cognitive Restructuring and Mindfulness help reduce catastrophic thinking and worry. Natural Relaxation works to reduce body responses, like racing heart beat, dizziness, smothering, sweating. Graded Exposure, the practice of gradually approaching areas of fear, promotes desensitization (habituation), a natural fear-reducing process in the brain. Intensive CBT helps to speed recovery for phobias, panic, agoraphobia and OCD.

Building Emotional Muscle

To dispel misunderstandings that fuel catastrophic thinking, the patient is educated about the role of anxiety, worry and panic in the brain. "Grounding" statements and relaxation skills are taught, and feared areas are then approached in a gradual, step-by-step manner. The therapist provides a great deal of coaching and support, often accompanying the patient into real-world settings where fear is greatest. With practice, the patient gradually gains confidence and is no longer overwhelmed by fear.