Anxiety Therapy in Michigan

Table of Contents:

• What is Anxiety Therapy?
• Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Therapy
• Our Approach to Anxiety Therapy
• Cognitive Techniques for Managing Anxiety
• Practical Anxiety-Reduction Exercises
• What to Expect in Anxiety Therapy Sessions
• Anxiety Therapy in Michigan
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anxiety Therapy?

Anxiety therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy focused on helping individuals manage and reduce anxiety symptoms. It targets the thoughts, behaviors, and physiological responses that maintain anxiety, empowering you with tools to live a calmer, more balanced life.

Anxiety vs. Stress

While stress is a natural response to challenges, anxiety is a persistent feeling of fear or worry that can interfere with daily functioning. Anxiety therapy helps differentiate normal stress from anxiety disorders and provides tailored interventions.

The Impact of Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million adults in the U.S. each year. Untreated anxiety can lead to:

• Avoidance of social or professional situations
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Reduced quality of life and increased risk of depression

Our evidence-based anxiety therapy approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, have been shown to reduce symptoms by over 60% in clinical studies.

Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Therapy

You may benefit from anxiety therapy if you experience:

• Excessive worry or fear that feels uncontrollable
• Panic attacks or sudden intense fear episodes
• Avoidance of places or situations due to anxiety
• Physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, or dizziness
• Restlessness, irritability, or feeling “on edge”
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks
• Persistent negative thoughts or catastrophic thinking
• Social anxiety or fear of judgment
• Impact on work, school, or relationships

If these symptoms resonate with you, anxiety therapy can help you regain control and improve your wellbeing.

Our Approach to Anxiety Therapy

At Truth and Wellbeing, we use a holistic, personalized approach to anxiety therapy that addresses mind, body, and behavior. Our methodology includes:

Cognitive Restructuring

We help you identify and challenge anxious thoughts that fuel worry and fear, replacing them with balanced, realistic perspectives.

Exposure Therapy

Gradual, supported exposure to feared situations helps reduce avoidance behaviors and build resilience.

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques teach you to observe anxiety without judgment and calm your nervous system.

Skills Training and Goal Setting

We work with you to develop coping skills and set achievable goals that promote confidence and independence.

"You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you." – Dan Millman

Cognitive Techniques for Managing Anxiety

How you think affects how you feel. Our therapists specialize in cognitive techniques that help you:

Recognize Common Anxiety-Related Thought Patterns

• Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst-case scenario
• Overgeneralization: Believing one negative event defines everything
• Fortune-telling: Predicting negative outcomes without evidence
• Mind reading: Assuming others are judging you negatively
• “Should” statements: Holding unrealistic expectations for yourself

Thought-Challenging Process

1. Identify anxious thoughts (“I’m going to fail this presentation”)
2. Examine evidence supporting and contradicting the thought
3. Consider alternative, more balanced thoughts (“I’ve prepared and can handle questions”)
4. Practice reinforcing the new thought pattern

Practical Anxiety-Reduction Exercises

Building resilience to anxiety requires practice. Here are some exercises we teach:

1. Deep Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Learn to calm your body’s stress response through controlled breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

2. Mindfulness Meditation

Practice present-moment awareness to reduce rumination and increase emotional regulation.

3. Exposure Hierarchy

Create a list of anxiety-provoking situations ranked by difficulty and gradually face them with support.

4. Journaling for Anxiety

Use structured journaling prompts to explore triggers, challenge anxious thoughts, and track progress.

5. Self-Compassion Practices

Develop kindness toward yourself to reduce self-criticism and build emotional resilience.

What to Expect in Anxiety Therapy Sessions

Timeline and Process

Initial Phase (Sessions 1-3)
Assessment of anxiety symptoms and triggers, goal setting, and introduction to therapy techniques.

Skills Development Phase (Sessions 4-10)
Learning and practicing cognitive restructuring, exposure, and mindfulness techniques.

Integration Phase (Sessions 11-15)
Applying skills in real-life situations, refining strategies, and planning for maintenance.

Maintenance Phase (As needed)
Periodic check-ins to reinforce skills and address new challenges.

Many clients notice symptom reduction within 8-12 sessions, though timelines vary.

Session Structure

Each 53-minute session includes:

• Review of progress and challenges
• Skill-building exercises
• Discussion of real-life applications
• Homework assignments
• Planning next steps

Expected Outcomes

• Reduced anxiety symptoms and panic attacks
• Improved coping with stress and uncertainty
• Increased participation in social and professional activities
• Enhanced emotional regulation and resilience
• Greater overall wellbeing and life satisfaction

Anxiety Therapy Throughout Michigan

We offer anxiety therapy services throughout Michigan, with therapists specializing in anxiety management in the following regions:

Southeast Michigan

Serving Oakland County, Macomb County, Wayne County, and surrounding areas. We help clients manage workplace stress, social anxiety, and performance fears.

West Michigan

Providing therapy in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland, and nearby communities. Our therapists specialize in anxiety related to perfectionism and life transitions.

Northern Michigan

Offering services in Traverse City, Petoskey, Marquette, and surrounding northern Michigan communities. Telehealth options available for social anxiety and generalized anxiety.

Mid-Michigan

Serving Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and throughout mid-Michigan. We support clients coping with anxiety after trauma, health challenges, and life changes.