Anxiety

Anxiety is a common experience, felt by many. Anxiety symptoms can range from mild to severe. People seek treatment either because their existing coping tools are no longer working or they are in need of new strategies and techniques to reduce their anxiety and worry. Sometimes people have struggled with anxiety since childhood, while others experience anxiety episodes as a result of a situation in their life (such as: workplace stress, separation, divorce, bullying, peer relationship difficulties, academic and school stress, job loss, life transitions, motherhood, relationship break-ups).

Woman Overwhelmed by Surroundings - Anxiety Therapy is available in Toronto, Oakville and Hamilton with The Therapy Centre

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (aka excessive worry)

Worry is a normal and common experience for most people. Individuals with generalized anxiety have significant worry about a number of things in their life. For example, they may worry about money or finances, relationships, health, safety of self or others, making mistakes, the future, and/or negative life events. These worries are frequent and difficult to control. This excessive worry impacts their daily functioning and can negatively impact their mood in a number of ways (i.e. irritability, relationships, sleep, appetite, concentration etc…).

We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This is the most widely researched and effective treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Panic Disorder

Panic is a flight or fight response in the body that comes out of the blue where one develops a number of physical symptoms, such as:

  • Rapid heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shaking
  • Chest pain
  • Dizzy
  • Feeling of choking
  • Light headedness
  • Depersonalization or derealization

Common thoughts that occur during a panic episode can include:

  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of going crazy
  • Fear of dying
  • Fear of heart attack

It is common for people with these symptoms to seek medical attention as this can be a very scary experience. Although these symptoms are commonly a part of panic disorder, it is important to rule out a medical condition.

We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of Panic Disorder. This is the most widely researched and effective treatment for Panic Disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder (aka Social Phobia) is an anxiety disorder whereby people experience intense anxiety and nervousness when they face certain social situations. Individuals with social anxiety fear being judged or criticized by others and worry about making mistakes, looking bad or being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. The fear may be made worse by a lack of experience in social situations or a perceived lack of social skills. Often individuals suffer anticipatory anxiety (i.e. the fear of a situation before it happens). The anxiety is often managed by avoiding certain activities, such as:

  • Eating or drinking in front of others
  • Talking on the phone
  • Asking questions in groups
  • Writing or working in front of others
  • Being the centre of attention
  • Interacting with people (i.e. dating or going to parties).

We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder. This is the most widely researched and effective treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (aka OCD) involves people having obsessive thoughts which include unwanted thoughts or images or urges that make them feel anxious or distressed. These individuals have significant difficulties ignoring or pushing away these thoughts. Individuals with OCD also have compulsive behaviours which are an attempt to try and reverse the obsessive thoughts or images or urges by performing some kind of action. For example, someone with a fear of becoming ill will repeatedly wash their hands to avoid germs. Often the individual is aware that these thoughts and behaviours are irrational but does not feel they can stop.

We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is the most widely researched and effective treatment for OCD.

Phobias

People experience irrational fears that sometimes develop as a result of unpleasant or distressing experiences. These fears can develop into a phobia. A phobia is a fear of a specific object or situation such as, flying, heights, animals etc… When encountering these objects or situations, people experience immediate fear and anxiety and will take steps to avoid it.

We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of Specific Phobias. This is the most widely researched and effective treatment for Specific Phobias.