Does Therapy Really Help with Anxiety?
I’m Halle Thomas, an anxiety therapist for millennial professionals in Boulder, Denver, and Portland. In my practice, I work with millennial professionals who are experiencing anxiety and are seeking holistic support.
Anxiety isn't just a buzzword – it's a very real, often overwhelming experience that can make even the most basic tasks feel impossible. If you've ever found yourself consumed by worst-case-scenarios, frustrated by racing thoughts, or trapped by fear, you're not alone.
You want relief, like yesterday, and at the same time you might be asking, does therapy really help with anxiety? And the answer to that is yes: therapy really can help with anxiety.
What Anxiety Looks Like Before Therapy
Before we get into how therapy helps, let’s paint a “before” picture. While I’m guessing you might be familiar with what anxiety looks like, it’s also pretty common for folks to mistake signs of anxiety for something else..
Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous before a work meeting or worrying about a first date. Anxiety is like an uninvited houseguest who whispers (or let’s be real, shouts) worst-case scenarios in your ear, makes your heart race for no apparent reason, and turns everyday decisions into panic-attack inducing events.
Put another way, anxiety is like that one app on your phone that’s constantly draining your battery and reducing the performance of all the other apps on your phone. Which means that therapist is like emotional tech support specialist who helps you close unnecessary apps, fix any bugs in the code, and optimize your mental performance.
Why Therapy Helps with Anxiety
Anxiety thrives in isolation. In other words, the more you keep quiet about how anxiety is affecting you, the more power anxiety is able to build up. Therapy provides a compassionate, judgment-free zone where you can unpack those thoughts and feelings with a professional who’s invested in your wellbeing.
How a Therapist Can Help You with Your Anxiety
While it’s true that you might spend at least a little bit of time talking about your past (depending on their style of therapy), your therapist really wants to help you navigate day-to-day life with more ease.
Develop practical coping strategies
This can range from strategies for minimizing panic attacks before work meetings, to prepping for social anxiety before a meet up with friends for happy hour.
What a therapist can’t do, is magically fix you (though that would be pretty convenient). Instead, a therapist teaches you new tools that you can experiment with. They also show you tools you already have and teach you how to recalibrate them.
Recognize thought patterns that fuel your anxiety
Your anxious thoughts might be on autopilot, but your therapist can help translate the mechanics behind those thoughts. With their help, they’ll show you how to detect thought patterns that fuel your anxiety so you can begin practicing new responses to those thoughts.
Build resilience and emotional strength
Chances are, you’re probably pretty well versed in surviving hardship. What you might have a tougher time with, is growing your capacity to experience positive change. A therapist can help you learn how to rebuild your relationship to hope that life can actually get better.
It's Okay to Ask for Help with Your Anxiety
While it’s gotten a bit better over the years, there's this persistent myth that seeking out therapy means you’re weak. Spoiler alert: it's not! Seeking therapy is a sign that you’re curious about your own mind. It’s also a sign that you’re interested in learning how to navigate life with more ease.
Your Timeline to Reduced Anxiety Might Vary
It would be so nice to know that you can get rid of your anxiety in a single 50 minute session. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic. What I can tell you though, is that there are different options that can influence how soon you notice a difference in your anxiety.
Option 1: Weekly Therapy
Weekly therapy is a wonderful option for people who like to work at a consistent and steady pace. Weekly sessions allow you to get to know your therapist while also giving them feedback on how their suggestions are working in your own life.
That being said, it’s important to note that weekly therapy works best when you have a good relationship with your therapist (i.e. you trust them and feel that they really care about you) and when you’re implementing changes in between sessions. Being an active participant in changing your relationship to anxiety means that you’ll need to be tying new things in your day-to-day life.
Option 2: Therapy Intensive
Another option is to attend a therapy intensive. In this format, you work with a therapist over a brief period, for an extended amount of time. This can be a great option for someone who knows exactly what they want to address and is ready to get to work.
In my own practice, I offer 2 day therapy intensives for anxiety and trauma. On the first day, we meet for an intake session where I gather your history and learn about what you’d like to address. On the second day, we do a three hour therapy session. I also offer a follow up session that’s usually held 1-2 weeks afterward.
Get Started with Therapy
Therapy is a lot more versatile than it used to be. There are in-person options and video sessions, with many therapists providing a combination of options. Some therapists will assign you homework, while others will collaborate with you to decide what makes sense for your specific needs and interests.
In my own practice, I operate 100% online and meet with clients who live in either Colorado or Oregon over video. I’m also collaborative, and while I present clients with options to explore in between sessions, I also value getting their opinion so I can tailor my suggestions.
If you live in either Colorado or Oregon you’re ready to start therapy, I invite you to reach out for your free 15-minute consultation call. If you want a better sense of my personality before getting on a call, you can also check out my content over on Instagram. I’ve helped hundreds of clients develop their own personal anxiety toolkits and I feel confident about being able to help you too.
Your Anxiety Doesn't Have to Define You
Anxiety is just one part of your experience, but that’s not all there is. Therapy helps you become the author of your own narrative, giving you the power to write chapters of hope, resilience, personal growth, pleasure, and joy.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your mental health is important, and you deserve support, understanding, and the opportunity to live a life not controlled by constant fear and anxiety.
Take that first step. Your future self will thank you.
Hi! I’m Halle, an Anxiety Therapist in Boulder, Colorado.
I work with millennials who want to trade in self-doubt for self-trust. You can work with me in either 1:1 weekly therapy, or in a therapy intensive.
If you live in either Colorado or Oregon, I’d love to work with you. Book your free intro call to get started!
