Where to Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Where to Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety

Living with anxiety is complicated, and navigating the emotions and physical side effects may interfere with daily life. If you’re unsure what causes your anxiety or how to deal with it, therapy may help. Learn where to find a therapist who specializes in anxiety and takes insurance by checking out leading databases. Once you learn about therapy approaches and compare your options, you can discover the best mental health provider for your needs.

Modalities Commonly Used to Treat Anxiety

Therapy modalities are each therapist’s unique approach to helping clients heal. There are numerous options for licensed mental health providers, so learn about the modalities they prefer for anxiety to consider which might be a good fit for you.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Anxious thoughts don’t have to affect your life forever. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targets these feelings directly. Therapists help clients identify and replace unhealthy habits with healthier alternatives. The modality only has a 14% relapse rate for anxiety patients, so it’s an effective way to train your mind to restructure thought patterns.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Some therapists merge traditional CBT with mindfulness techniques you can practice at home. Both modalities are equally effective at treating anxiety, so your preference depends on how open you feel toward mindfulness activities.

A licensed mental health provider who uses mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may guide you through sessions that incorporate meditation or breathing exercises. You can use the same skills to resolve your heightened emotions between sessions if you enjoy this technique.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

As you explore where to find a therapist who specializes in anxiety and takes insurance, try keeping an open mind to modalities you might not have heard about before. For example, many people don’t know about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

The modality reduces pathological worry symptoms by merging old memories with new experiences and storing them differently in the brain. You may have less anxiety if the condition stems from unprocessed past events. Speaking with potential therapists about this option during your consultation appointments will clarify if it’s a potentially effective choice for you.

Criteria to Find a Good Therapist

Directories will list numerous therapists with varying levels of experience. Given how one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness annually, a range of expertise fields is important for offering diverse options to find the exact support you need. You can identify which therapists to contact by taking these steps:

• Ensure the directory includes specific specializations to easily identify the health service provider’s areas of expertise for your needs.
• Browse accepted insurance provider lists to double-check that your plan can cover part or all of your session fees.
• See if the directory includes therapists in your state so you have multiple options covered by your in-network health insurance.

Take your time as you explore potential mental health therapists. Many licensed experts could help you heal, but you deserve the best for your personal history. Once you compare the fine details of each provider’s background and practice, you’ll know exactly who you should speak with first.

Questions to Ask Before Starting Anxiety Therapy

Consultation appointments help people understand whether they are meeting the best licensed professional for their concerns. Be sure to have questions in mind to clarify next steps.

What Is Your Experience in Treating Anxiety?

Many mental health experts provide anxiety therapy covered by insurance, but how they treat the condition differs. Discuss each therapist’s preferred modalities. Some may specialize in EMDR, while others rely on CBT approaches. You may choose one over the other, depending on which treatment style interests you the most.

What Is Your Therapy Style?

Licensed therapists can use the same modalities but approach them in different ways. Once you’ve chosen a treatment method, ask potential therapists how they practice it. Some may use a self-esteem lens, teach their clients to sit with emotions or suggest long-term lifestyle changes to address physical anxiety symptoms. Their answers could reveal new ways of managing anxiety that you hadn’t considered before.

What Is Your Policy for Handling Crises?

Anxiety intensifies at some of the most unexpected moments. If you’re struggling with seemingly random panic attacks that leave you debilitated, you may prefer a therapist who’s accessible between sessions.

Discuss each mental health provider’s policy for handling crises between appointments. Some therapists are strict about having no contact between sessions because they have an extensive client roster. Others are accessible by text or email at any time. Consider your ongoing anxiety experiences to see which type of policy would best serve you.

Best Places to Find Therapists Online

The internet quickly connects people with global therapists all the time, and you should have ease in finding one who addresses anxiety concerns. Use leading databases to locate a licensed provider who has the experience and treatment approach you prefer.

1. Zencare

Zencare is a leading database for anyone seeking anxiety therapy. The easy-to-use website features an interactive map that allows you to find local therapists and schedule free consultation appointments. Once you discuss how you want to address your anxiety, you’ll understand if the mental health therapist is a good match for your needs. Zencare has helped millions of people get the care they need, so explore the database to see which providers are near you.

2. GoodTherapy

People nationwide use GoodTherapy to find counselors and mental health services when they need them most. Website visitors can use search filters to connect with the best licensed therapists who best suit their specific personal backgrounds. Narrow your options by identifying the causes of your internal tension, such as social anxiety or general stress. Even if you’re not sure what triggers your symptoms, GoodTherapy will help you find counselors who can schedule consultation appointments and suggest potential paths forward.

3. Theravive

Theravive has an extensive directory of in-person and online therapists. Each licensed mental health provider has experience treating a range of specialties, including anxiety. Connect with a local expert through the database to discuss how their preferred modalities could address your anxiety. They may also accept your insurance because they work close to where you live.

4. Choosing Therapy

Supporting your mental health is much easier when you have a therapist and accessible resources. Choosing Therapy provides both. The website features an extensive database of therapists in all 50 U.S. states who work with various insurance providers. When you’re between sessions and want to analyze things that came up during your last conversation, you can browse Choosing Therapy articles on all things mental health.

Find the Best Therapist for Anxiety

Find a therapist who specializes in anxiety and accepts insurance by checking popular databases, exploring filter options and scheduling consultation appointments to advance your healing journey. It’s OK to take your time while comparing your options. You’ll give yourself the best chance of success by understanding each therapist’s background before committing to long-term sessions.