Anxiety Counseling: Support for Chronic Worry & Anxiety Disorders

Imagine how your life might change if worry didn’t hold you back. Do you find yourself steering clear of certain situations, places, or people because of anxiety? Are you constantly worried about making a mistake?

What if you could manage your anxiety effectively, leave worry and panic attacks behind, and approach new experiences with calm and confidence?

I understand—living with anxiety and constant worry can be really challenging. A small amount of anxiety can be useful, giving you the push to prepare and stay focused—like doing extra homework before an important meeting. But when worry becomes overwhelming, it can get in the way. It might make it hard to function at your best, and over time, you may even start avoiding certain situations just to escape the anxiety.

Counseling can help. When you’re working with an experienced therapist, anxiety can and does get better.

A Closer Look at Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions marked by ongoing, intense feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness. These feelings can be so strong that they disrupt daily routines, strain relationships, and affect overall well-being. Whether it’s a constant sense of dread or sudden waves of panic, anxiety can deeply impact how you experience life. Gaining a clear understanding of these disorders is an important first step toward learning how to manage them.

Defining Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve persistent, often overwhelming feelings of anxiety or fear that are difficult to control. These emotions may cause someone to avoid certain situations, people, or tasks. There are different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. The root causes can be a mix of genetic, environmental, and emotional influences. Recognizing the symptoms early and reaching out for professional support can greatly improve your ability to cope and find relief.

Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders come in various forms, each with distinct symptoms and triggers:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with GAD experience constant, excessive worry about everyday matters—like work, health, or relationships. This ongoing anxiety can feel difficult to manage and may interfere with day-to-day life.
Panic Disorder: This condition is marked by unexpected and repeated panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear that often come with physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, trouble breathing, or dizziness. These episodes can be frightening and feel overwhelming.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Sometimes called social phobia, this disorder involves a deep fear of social situations. It may include anxiety about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in public settings, such as speaking in front of others or meeting new people. This fear can lead to avoidance and isolation.
Specific Phobias: This type involves an intense fear of a particular object or situation—like flying, heights, or certain animals. The fear often feels disproportionate to any real danger and can lead to avoidance behavior.

Learning about the different types of anxiety disorders can make it easier to understand what you or someone close to you might be going through—and is an important step toward getting the right support and treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is a widespread issue and can show up in many different forms. Some common signs and symptoms include:

Feeling overwhelmed or like things are out of your control
Persistent worry or nervousness
Rapid, racing thoughts
Trouble sleeping, feeling constantly tired, or both
Changes in appetite or loss of interest in food
Intense feelings of fear, panic, or unease
Avoiding certain people, places, or situations
Muscle tension or tightness
Frequent headaches
Upset stomach or digestive issues
Feeling on edge or easily startled
Restlessness or an inability to relax
Difficulty focusing or staying present
Becoming easily irritated or frustrated

Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but recognizing these signs is a key step toward getting the help and support you need.

Anxiety can range from mild, nagging worries and overthinking to intense panic attacks—and in any form, it can interfere with your well-being and enjoyment of life. When anxiety begins to disrupt your everyday routine, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. I offer support and treatment for a variety of anxiety-related conditions, including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic attacks and Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Phobias

Anxiety has become so woven into our everyday lives and culture that it can be difficult to recognize when it crosses the line from typical stress into something more serious. Many people find themselves wondering: Is this just normal anxiety, or is it something more? Often, by the time someone seeks help, they’ve been living with harmful levels of anxiety for far longer than they realized.

Early support—whether it’s intervention or prevention—is crucial in improving outcomes for anxiety and other mental health concerns. When you meet with me, I will conduct a thorough evaluation to help you understand how anxiety might be showing up in your life and what can be done to address it.

My approach is both educational and hands-on. I will guide you in understanding how anxiety works, what tends to trigger it for you, and how to respond with practical strategies like coping techniques, relaxation tools, and anxiety management skills. Whether you’re dealing with generalized worry, ongoing tension, or intense panic attacks, I will create a personalized plan to help you feel more in control.

Together, we can work toward less worry, stronger stress management, and a greater sense of peace and fulfillment. With the right support, you can move beyond social anxiety, fear, or panic—and reclaim your life. My goal is to help you treat anxiety before it worsens and to support you in finding lasting relief.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Identifying anxiety disorders requires a detailed and thoughtful assessment of an individual’s symptoms, medical background, and overall mental health. This in-depth process is essential for creating a personalized treatment plan that effectively addresses the individual’s specific challenges. Early identification and support from qualified mental health professionals can greatly improve outcomes and empower individuals to take back control of their lives.

How Anxiety Disorders Are Identified

Mental health providers use several tools and techniques to ensure an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of anxiety disorders:

Clinical Interviews: A one-on-one conversation where the provider explores your symptoms, personal and medical history, and overall mental health. This helps paint a full picture of what you are experiencing.
Psychological Testing: Structured questionnaires and rating scales are used to measure the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms. These assessments help gauge how anxiety is affecting your everyday life.
Medical Evaluation: A physical exam may be performed to rule out any health conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms. It is important to determine whether anxiety is linked to another medical issue.
Diagnostic Guidelines: Professionals rely on the criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5TR) to diagnose anxiety. This ensures the diagnosis is consistent, evidence-based, and accurate.

This thorough process is key to understanding your experience and guiding the path toward effective treatment and healing.

By understanding the diagnostic process, individuals can feel more informed and prepared when seeking help for anxiety disorders. Professional assessment and diagnosis are the first steps towards effective treatment and improved mental health.

Anxiety Therapy

You don’t have to keep avoiding the people, places, or situations that trigger your anxiety. And you don’t have to live in fear of when the next panic attack might strike. The good news is—anxiety is treatable, and effective help is available. I am here to support you.

With the right counseling approach, you can learn to manage your symptoms, move past the fear, and fully re-engage with your life. Left untreated, anxiety can grow more intense over time, but early support makes a big difference. If you or someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, reach out.

I provide treatment for various forms of anxiety and trauma, using a combination of therapeutic methods to create a personalized and comprehensive plan for healing.

My Approach to Treating Anxiety

When you begin anxiety counseling with me, we’ll start with a comprehensive mental health assessment so I can get to know you as a whole person. I will explore your history, understand how anxiety is affecting your life right now, and work with you to create a treatment plan that’s specifically tailored to your needs.

Now, you might be wondering—what does that actually look like in practice? Together, we’ll identify the situations, thoughts, or experiences that trigger your anxiety. I’ll help you develop tools to manage anxiety in the moment, practice mindfulness to stay grounded, and shift the way you view and respond to anxious thoughts. My approach commonly includes techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based practices.

Many treatment plans also involve a form of exposure work—this could be structured, like gradually facing the situations you fear, or more informal, like beginning to talk about the things you’ve been avoiding.

Most importantly, everything we do will be customized to what works best for you. Your comfort, progress, and healing are the focus of our work together.

Learn More About Different Therapies for Anxiety: DBT Therapy, CBT Therapy, EMDR Therapy.

Anxiety treatment helps reduce perfectionism, worry and excessive stress. Begin counseling for anxiety.

You do not have to live with your anxiety and “white knuckle” it any longer. Please CONTACT ME to set up your first appointment to get started on your healing journey.

Other Counseling Services Kathleen Provides

I am happy to offer in-person and online individual therapy services for adults. I have practiced in the mental health field for 25+ years and have developed an expertise and passion for working with clients. I specialize in providing counseling for anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain, depression, stress management, trauma and PTSD and more. I also provide support for busy professionals. I use CBT therapy, DBT therapy and EMDR therapy with great success. If you don’t see the issue you are looking for listed, please contact me to ask if I can help you with your unique situation. I look forward to helping you live your best life possible!

Contact Me Today

Kathleen Phelps, LCSW

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Have questions? Send a message

kp@kathleenphelps.com

619-743-2879

2011 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 205, Carlsbad, CA 92011