When Anxiety Starts to Run the Show

Do you feel like your mind is constantly racing with worries, what-ifs, and worst-case scenarios? Maybe you can’t seem to shut off your thoughts long enough to rest, enjoy your day, or be present in your relationships. Whether it’s a tight chest, restlessness, stomach aches, or endless overthinking, anxiety can leave you feeling drained, stuck, and overwhelmed.

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. You might notice it as difficulty sleeping, a constant need for reassurance, avoiding certain places or situations, or even physical symptoms like tension, rapid heartbeat, or nausea. Over time, anxiety can erode your confidence and steal joy from the things you once loved.

Even when you know your fears are irrational, they still feel real. That’s because anxiety isn’t just in your head—it’s a full-body response that can affect your mood, behaviors, and ability to function. And the longer it goes untreated, the more deeply it can root itself into your life.

Anxiety is normal and a part of life, but also treatable.

Let’s get something straight: feeling anxious doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. Anxiety is a normal response to stress and uncertainty, and it’s something every human experiences. But when that anxiety becomes excessive, chronic, or interferes with daily life, it may be time to seek support.

You’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults. And yet, so many people struggle in silence—either trying to manage it on their own or not realizing that what they’re feeling is actually treatable.

Maybe you’ve told yourself you just need to “relax” or “stop overthinking.” But anxiety doesn’t respond to logic alone. In fact, trying to suppress your thoughts or push through the worry can often make things worse. The good news? There are proven ways to reduce anxiety, shift your relationship with your thoughts, and regain a sense of calm.

How Therapy Helps: Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety

At Clear View Counseling, we specialize in working with adults who are ready to take control of their anxiety using evidence-based approaches that actually work. Our go-to methods include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is considered the gold standard for treating anxiety. It helps you identify and challenge the negative thought patterns that fuel anxiety, while developing practical skills to manage symptoms in real time.

With CBT, you’ll:

  • Learn how anxious thoughts are created and maintained

  • Identify distorted thinking patterns (like catastrophizing or mind-reading)

  • Develop healthier, more balanced ways of thinking

  • Practice behavioral strategies to break anxiety cycles

CBT is highly effective for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, and more.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

While CBT helps you change unhelpful thoughts, ACT helps you stop fighting them altogether. ACT teaches you to accept your internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, sensations) and take action based on your values—not your fears.

Using ACT, you’ll:

  • Learn mindfulness skills to observe your anxiety without getting stuck in it

  • Create psychological distance from distressing thoughts

  • Reconnect with what matters most to you

  • Take meaningful steps forward, even when anxiety is present

ACT is especially powerful for those who feel stuck in thought spirals or want to cultivate more resilience and flexibility in the face of stress.

Exposure Therapy (when applicable)

For certain types of anxiety—such as phobias, social anxiety, or panic disorder—we may incorporate exposure-based strategies. These involve gradually facing feared situations in a safe, supportive way to retrain your brain’s anxiety response.

Common Concerns About Anxiety Treatment

"What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?"
Not all therapy is the same. If you didn’t work with someone trained in anxiety-specific, evidence-based approaches, it’s understandable that you might not have seen lasting results. CBT, ACT, and exposure therapy are backed by decades of research and have consistently shown strong outcomes for anxiety treatment.

"What if I don’t have a big trauma or major life problem?" Anxiety doesn’t require a big event to be valid. Many people with anxiety struggle with daily pressures, perfectionism, health fears, relationship worries, or work stress. If anxiety is interfering with your quality of life, that’s reason enough to get support.

"I’m just an anxious person—can therapy really change that?"
While some people may be more prone to anxiety, that doesn’t mean it has to control your life. Therapy can help you change how you respond to anxiety, reduce its intensity, and build confidence in your ability to handle uncertainty and discomfort.

What You Can Expect from Anxiety Therapy

We offer compassionate, personalized care that meets you where you are. Our goal is to help you understand your anxiety, build effective coping strategies, and create a life where worry doesn’t hold the steering wheel.

Here’s what our anxiety therapy process typically looks like:

  • Initial Assessment: We’ll explore your symptoms, history, and goals to create a customized plan.

  • Skill Building: You’ll learn practical, evidence-based tools to manage and reduce anxiety.

  • Thought Work: We’ll help you challenge unhelpful beliefs and reframe your internal dialogue.

  • Behavioral Shifts: You’ll take gradual steps to face fears, reduce avoidance, and regain confidence.

  • Supportive Accountability: We’ll track progress, celebrate wins, and make adjustments as needed.

Whether your anxiety shows up as constant worry, physical symptoms, racing thoughts, or avoidance, we’ll help you create a path forward. Most clients find that within a few sessions, they already feel more empowered, hopeful, and in control.

Who We Help

We work with adults (18+) experiencing a wide range of anxiety-related concerns, including:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Panic Disorder and panic attacks

  • Health anxiety

  • Performance anxiety and perfectionism

  • Work-related stress and burnout

  • Phobias (fear of flying, driving, etc.)

If your anxiety has been affecting your sleep, your relationships, your job, or your peace of mind, therapy can help. And with online therapy options available, it’s easier than ever to get the support you need.

Your Life Beyond Anxiety

Imagine waking up without that tight feeling in your chest. Imagine going through your day without overthinking every decision or interaction. Imagine being able to fully enjoy the people, places, and passions that make life meaningful.

Anxiety therapy isn’t about becoming someone you’re not—it’s about becoming more you, without anxiety calling the shots. It’s about building a solid foundation of tools, awareness, and self-trust so that anxiety no longer dictates your choices.

You deserve to feel calm, confident, and connected. You don’t have to wait for your anxiety to get worse before asking for help. There is support available now.

Ready to find relief from anxiety? Let's talk.

We know that reaching out for help can be intimidating—but it’s also the first step toward lasting change. Whether you’ve been managing anxiety for years or just recently started noticing the signs, we’re here to help you feel better, think more clearly, and live more fully.

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today to learn more about how therapy for anxiety can help you create the life you want—calm, balanced, and grounded.