Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in Canada, affecting approximately 3 million Canadians each year. Although, this number is believed to be increasing substantially since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anxiety can come in many forms and levels of severity, but it is almost always characterized by feelings of unease, worry and fear. The good news is, that these feelings don’t need to be permanent, and working with a qualified practitioner can be one of the most effective ways to manage anxiety and worry.
If anxiety is interfering with the life you want and deserve, know that you are not alone & we are here to help. Book with one of our experienced London therapists for anxiety therapy today.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a common and normal reaction to stress, and in fact, many people experience anxiety at some point in their lives. Anxiety is a stress response initiated by the body when we believe we are in danger. The fight-or-flight response that anxiety activates in the brain and body can be helpful when dealing with an immediate threat. However, if not managed, anxiety can become a serious and debilitating problem that interferes with everyday life. People with anxiety disorders often experience intense fear and concern about everyday situations that most people don’t find threatening at all.
Regardless of how anxiety affects your day-to-day life, we believe that each person has the potential to manage their symptoms. During anxiety therapy, we can work on bringing forward the parts of yourself that are seeking change and healing what has been getting in the way of a fulfilling life.
Symptoms Of Anxiety
Anxiety often presents differently for everyone.
There are three main parts of anxiety, and individuals may experience symptoms from some or all the three components:
Physical Anxiety Symptoms:
The physiological component of anxiety includes natural changes that take place in your body when you perceive a threat. These symptoms can look like:
- Feeling nervous, stressed or restless
- Having an ongoing sense of panic or dread
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Sweating
- Trouble concentrating
Cognitive Symptoms:
Cognitive symptoms of anxiety relate to the mental symptoms of the disorder. These symptoms tend to surface when considering, experiencing, or remembering an event or trauma. These symptoms can look like:
- Racing thoughts
- Uncontrollable over-thinking and rumination
- Anxious predictions
- Negative thoughts and beliefs
Behavioural Symptoms:
Behavioural symptoms of anxiety refer to the actions we take because of our anxious feelings. These symptoms can look like:
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Over-consuming alcohol or drugs to reduce anxious thoughts or feelings
- Safety behaviours’ or habits to minimize anxiety and feel “safer”
When To Seek Professional Counselling For Anxiety
If you’re finding that your symptoms are affecting your day-to-day life, therapy may a good choice for you. It may be time to seek counselling for anxiety if you resonate with some or all of the following:
- You tend to worry or ruminate on certain things
- You often feel stressed and nervous, but may not know exactly why
- You often experience physical symptoms of anxiety (like racing heart, sweating, tight chest)
- You feel your anxiety is getting in the way of living the life you want
- You are looking for non-judgmental and objective support
- You have been diagnosed with anxiety and are looking for ways to manage and improve your symptoms
- If you’re ready to get a handle on your anxiety, contact us today to get started.
How Can Anxiety Counselling Help?
Anxiety therapy works by helping you identify and understand your specific triggers and learn how to cope with them. This may include learning relaxation techniques, addressing the negative beliefs that cause the anxiety, or working with the experience(s) that may have triggered the anxiety to begin with. Anxiety manifests differently for different people. Our experienced therapists use a wide variety of approaches that are helpful with anxiety including EMDR, IFS, Somatic Therapy, Attachment therapy, hypnotherapy, and more.
Our therapists are experienced in working with clients experiencing all types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our therapists take an evidence-based approach to support our clients in managing their anxiety to live the life they desire.
To learn more about the education & experience of our practitioners, visit our ‘Meet Our Therapists’ page.
We Offer Virtual Anxiety Therapy Across Ontario
Our practitioners are happy to offer in-person anxiety therapy at our office located in London, Ontario. However, our experienced team also regularly supports patients across Ontario through virtual therapy.
Virtual therapy for anxiety is convenient, confidential, and effective. Our virtual anxiety counselling options are compliant with Ontario’s Privacy Health Information Protect Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
No matter where you are in Ontario, we can help. Contact us today to get started.
Book With an Anxiety Therapist Today at Gibson & Associates
Anxiety is debilitating, but we’re here to help. We offer individual therapy sessions in person and online to help you overcome your anxiety and get on with living the life you desire. If you’re ready to book your first appointment, please send us a direct message and our team will get back to you promptly with the next steps.
