Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety can affect everyday life
Anxiety may show up as persistent worry, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, or avoiding situations that matter to you. Work, school, relationships, and everyday responsibilities can begin to feel harder to manage.
At The Clarity Clinic in Bingham Farms, near Southfield, we work with teens and adults to understand these patterns and develop practical ways to respond. In-person and virtual appointments are available. Your therapist will discuss your concerns, goals, and treatment options with you, helping you find an approach that fits your needs and pace.
You are Normal
The good news is that you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 20 percent of all Americans are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. And that’s just what is officially diagnosed. (The real number is likely far higher.) What most people don’t realize about anxiety, is that at its root, anxiety is a fundamental part and benefit of being human. Imagine you were standing in the African Wilderness, and a lion suddenly came charging toward you. In that scenario, being anxious (or on alert) is actually functional. If we didn't have that alarm bell go off, we would not fare well.
When we face a real or perceived threat, (from a lion attack to scoring well on an exam), our bodies go into “Fight or Flight”. This mode can help us survive a dangerous event. Think of it as a smoke alarm. The smoke alarm only becomes problematic when it goes off at the slightest hint of smoke or even from no smoke at all.
How therapy can help with anxiety
Therapy can help you understand your anxiety and develop ways to respond when it affects your life. One evidence-based approach in the anxiety therapy world is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral therapy focuses on the relationship between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT explores how patterns of thinking and behavior can contribute to anxiety. These thoughts are called automatic, because if we don’t pay attention to them, they will zoom in and out of our head leaving a trail of anxiety in their wake. During therapy, you can practice recognizing these patterns, evaluating your thoughts, and finding more helpful responses.
You may be thinking “great, but where do these negative automatic thoughts come from.”
Some automatic thoughts reflect beliefs shaped by earlier experiences, although anxiety can have many contributing factors. Let’s take Johnny for example. At the age of 6, Johnny was told by parents, friends and teachers that he was doing everything wrong. The sheer amount of negative talk caused Johnny to develop a negative belief about himself that he is always wrong and can never do anything right. This belief flows down into everyday life regardless of success or failure. If Johnny does well on a test, his mind tells him that “it was a fluke” or “not a real exam.” If Johnny fails an exam, then he reminds himself that he can’t do anything right.
This is where the deeper work of therapy comes in. When you meet with a therapist for a significant period of time, these core negative beliefs can shift into neutral or positive beliefs, positively affecting what you think, feel and do.
CBT is just one of the interventions used for anxiety therapy. An effective therapist will weave various other interventions such as mindfulness, DBT-informed skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into treatment in order to tailor therapy to your individual need.
How do other approaches support anxiety treatment?
There is a saying that goes, "Depression is in the past, Anxiety is in the future and the present is just the present." What mindfulness teaches us how to do is to contact the present moment. Through breathing, grounding and other ancient, yet effective techniques, an individual can be truly present. These practices may help you relate differently to anxious thoughts and feelings. They do not require you to eliminate anxiety or feel calm all the time.
Common questions about starting therapy
How much does anxiety therapy cost?
The Clarity Clinic accepts several insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare (UMR). Participation varies by therapist. Your costs depend on your plan’s benefits, deductible, and copay; confirm coverage before your appointment.
Private-pay individual therapy is $175 for a 55-minute session. Our Insurance & Fees page lists accepted plans and private-pay rates. You can contact us with questions about therapist availability and payment before requesting an appointment.
What if therapy makes my anxiety worse?
It is understandable to worry that talking about difficult experiences might feel overwhelming. You can discuss that concern with your therapist and ask how sessions will be paced.
Some conversations or exercises may feel uncomfortable. Let your therapist know if your anxiety increases or an approach does not feel helpful, so you can review your goals and treatment together. Progress varies, and therapy does not promise a particular outcome or timeline.
Still Skeptical? That's OK!
It’s completely normal to feel some hesitance before reaching and seeking therapy. Therapy requires opening yourself and becoming vulnerable. Vulnerability is hard. You don’t have to do it all at once though as therapy is an overall gentle and gradual process.
Feel free to reach out!
Request an appointment for anxiety therapy at our Bingham Farms office, conveniently located for Southfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township, or ask about virtual appointments. You can review our therapist profiles and insurance information before choosing your next step.
Check out our blog below for some practical tips on managing anxiety!
