Anxiety Therapy
of Bergen County
Having anxiety does not have to rule your life.
It is manageable and treatable, and therapy can help you to learn techniques to empower you to overcome your anxiety struggles.
You may be feeling stressed, constantly on edge, jumpy or easily startled, or preoccupied with worries about the future.
Anxiety can also present through social anxiety, may cause intrusive thoughts, and can lead to depression or a general feeling of loss of control, but it does not have to be this way.
Sometimes, making the initial step to start therapy is the hardest part, but therapy can quickly help you to regain control, learn ways to keep yourself calm, and maximize your energy so that you can be fully present in your life and your relationships.
What is Anxiety and How Might It Affect Me?
Anxiety is an excessive, intense and recurrent feeling of worry, tension, or fear about everyday situations.
It can, for some, lead to anticipatory worries, intrusive thoughts, lack of self-confidence, a feeling of a lack of control, physical symptoms, and at times, depression.
Anxiety is to some extent a normal part of most people’s lives, but when it becomes constant, overwhelming, or too intense, it may be time to consider psychotherapy as a treatment option so that you can regain control.
If anxiety becomes emotionally distressing, starts to interfere with your ability to handle daily tasks and responsibilities, or causes a lack of motivation, interest or ability to do things that you want to do, it may also be a sign that therapy might be right for you.
Anxiety can present in many forms:
Generalized Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Fears, Dread, and/or Phobias
Panic Attacks
Anticipatory Anxiety and Worrying about the Future
High-Functioning Anxiety
Social Anxiety
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Perinatal Anxiety
Postpartum Anxiety
Anxiety over Life Transitions
Anxiety related to Relationships
Untreated Anxiety in some cases (not all) can lead to mood disorders, depression, or perinatal or postpartum depression. It is important to speak with your providers about how you are feeling to gain the support that you may need.
Treatment Goals May Include but are not limited to:
Focusing on the Body and Brain Connection
Calming our Nervous System
Learning Somatic Exercises
Learning Relaxation Techniques
Practicing Daily Self-Care
Reframing Anxious or Negative Thoughts
Challenging Irrational Thoughts
Promoting Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
Psychotherapy is an effective approach to help people manage and reduce anxiety.
Here are several ways anxiety therapy can help:
Identifying & Understanding Anxiety
Awareness and Insight: Therapy helps individuals gain insight into their anxiety, understanding the root causes, triggers, and patterns of their anxious thoughts and behaviors.
Education: Therapists provide education about anxiety, helping clients understand what anxiety is, how it affects the body and mind, and why it occurs.
Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques
Identifying Negative Thoughts: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety.
Cognitive Restructuring: This technique involves replacing irrational and negative thoughts with more realistic and positive ones.
Behavioral Activation: Encourages engagement in activities that reduce anxiety and improve mood, breaking the cycle of avoidance.
Exposure Therapy
Facing Fears Gradually: Exposure therapy involves gradually and systematically exposing individuals to feared situations or objects, helping them build tolerance and reduce avoidance behaviors.
Desensitization: Over time, repeated exposure helps desensitize individuals to their fears, reducing anxiety responses.
Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness-based therapies teach individuals to focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future or past.
Breathing Exercises: Techniques like deep breathing help calm the nervous system and reduce immediate anxiety symptoms.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to reduce physical tension and promote relaxation.
Stress Management & Coping Skills
Developing Coping Strategies: Therapy helps individuals develop and practice effective coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
Problem-Solving Skills: Enhances the ability to address and manage anxiety-provoking situations more effectively.
Emotional Regulation
Understanding Emotions: Therapy helps individuals understand and process their emotions, reducing anxiety related to unprocessed or overwhelming feelings.
Emotion Regulation Techniques: Techniques such as emotion regulation training help individuals manage intense emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
Addressing Underlying Issues
Trauma Processing: For those whose anxiety is rooted in past trauma, therapists can help process and resolve traumatic experiences.
Interpersonal Issues: Addressing and resolving interpersonal conflicts and relationship issues can reduce anxiety related to social and relational stress.
Building Resilience and Self-Efficacy
Increasing Self-Confidence: Therapy helps individuals build confidence in their ability to manage anxiety and cope with life’s challenges.
Encouraging Positive Behavior: Therapists encourage behaviors that promote well-being and reduce anxiety, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep hygiene.
Social Support and Communication
Improving Communication Skills: Therapy can improve interpersonal communication skills, reducing anxiety related to social interactions.
Building Support Networks: Encourages the development of supportive relationships and networks, reducing feelings of isolation and anxiety.
Long-Term Strategies
Maintenance Plans: Developing long-term strategies to maintain progress and prevent relapse, ensuring sustained anxiety reduction.
Relapse Prevention: Teaching skills to recognize and respond to early signs of increasing anxiety, preventing full-blown episodes.