Seeking Treatment for an Anxiety Disorder? 3 things to look for in a Therapist to Treat your Anxiety

If you are noticing that there has been a shift in your mood, energy, sleep cycle, appetite, digestion, or overall quality of life, or maybe you have recently been diagnosed with a chronic health condition and have a more recent onset of anxious feelings, you may be wondering if you meet the criteria for the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, or one of the other major conditions which make up this category.

Sometimes too, an individual may be suffering from one of these disorders but without realizing it because the patterns of thought associated with the disorder have become so entrenched in the person’s thinking and way of being that the symptoms which perpetuate the disorder are automatic. A professional assessment and then therapy to treat your anxiety is the next step to healing.

In searching for a therapist to help you treat your anxiety you will find a variety of options and treatment styles, so many that you may ironically become anxious in the process of choosing. Below we cover how therapy actually works for anxiety, what to expect from the process, and a few things to help you choose the right therapist or counselor.

What Is the Root Cause of Chronic Anxiety?

The root cause of chronic anxiety is usually a combination of biological factors, life experiences, and learned thinking patterns. There is rarely a single cause. For most people, anxiety develops over time as these factors build on each other.

On the biological side, genetics play a role. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that anxiety disorders tend to run in families. If a close family member has struggled with anxiety, your chances of developing it are higher. Brain chemistry also matters. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine can make a person more vulnerable to anxious thinking.

Life experiences are another major factor. Childhood stress, trauma, major life transitions, and prolonged periods of pressure can all rewire the brain’s threat detection system. Over time, the brain learns to treat ordinary situations as dangerous, which keeps the anxiety response running even when nothing is actually wrong.

Thinking patterns tie it all together. If you tend to catastrophize, over-analyze, or expect the worst, those habits reinforce the anxiety loop. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million U.S. adults each year. Many of those cases involve a combination of all three root causes. A licensed therapist can help you identify which factors are driving your anxiety so treatment can target the actual root, not just the symptoms.

Can Therapy Make Anxiety Go Away?

Yes, therapy can make anxiety go away for many people, and for others, it can reduce symptoms to the point where anxiety no longer controls their daily life. The outcome depends on the type of anxiety, how long you have been dealing with it, and the approach used in treatment.

Therapy does not work like a switch that turns anxiety off. It works by changing the thought patterns, behaviors, and physical responses that keep anxiety running. Over time, the situations that used to trigger panic or dread become more manageable, and your nervous system learns to calm down faster.

The research is strong. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 60% to 80% of people who complete evidence-based therapy for anxiety experience significant improvement. Cognitive behavioral therapy in particular has decades of research showing it produces lasting results, with many patients maintaining their gains years after treatment ends.

If you have been living with anxiety for months or years, it can feel like it will never change. But the evidence says otherwise. Anxiety treatment gives you tools that work not just in the therapy room, but in the real situations where anxiety shows up in your life.

How Do Therapists Treat Anxiety?

Therapists treat anxiety by helping you understand what is driving it, teaching you practical skills to manage it, and gradually reducing the power it has over your decisions and your daily life. The specific approach depends on the type of anxiety and what works best for you as an individual.

Most anxiety treatment starts with identifying your triggers and understanding how your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations are connected. From there, the therapist introduces strategies to break the cycle. This might include learning to challenge anxious thoughts, practicing relaxation techniques, or gradually facing situations you have been avoiding.

Some therapists also work with the body directly. Anxiety lives in the nervous system, not just the mind. Approaches that address the physical side of anxiety, like breathwork, grounding exercises, and nervous system regulation, can be especially effective for people whose anxiety shows up more as physical tension, restlessness, or panic. Somatic therapy focuses specifically on this body-based approach.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. A good therapist will tailor the approach to your specific situation and adjust as you progress.

What Is Better, CBT or EMDR?

Neither CBT nor EMDR is universally better than the other. Both are evidence-based, well-researched treatments, but they work in different ways and may be more effective depending on what is driving your anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing the thought patterns that fuel your anxiety. It teaches you to recognize distorted thinking, challenge it with evidence, and replace it with more balanced perspectives. CBT is structured, skill-based, and has decades of research supporting its effectiveness for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder.

EMDR works differently. It focuses on processing traumatic or distressing memories that may be stuck in your nervous system and contributing to your anxiety. During EMDR sessions, you recall distressing events while engaging in bilateral stimulation, usually guided eye movements, which helps your brain reprocess those memories so they no longer trigger a strong emotional reaction.

For anxiety rooted in specific traumatic experiences, EMDR may be the stronger choice. For anxiety driven by ongoing thought patterns and daily worry, CBT is often the better starting point. Many therapists are trained in both and can help you decide which approach fits your situation.

How Long Does Therapy Take for Anxiety?

Therapy for anxiety typically takes between 8 and 20 sessions to see meaningful improvement, though the exact timeline depends on the type of anxiety, its severity, and how long you have been dealing with it.

According to the American Psychological Association, most people begin noticing changes in their anxiety symptoms after 8 to 10 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. For more complex or long-standing anxiety, treatment may continue for 6 months or longer. Some people find that a shorter course of therapy gives them the tools they need, while others benefit from ongoing support as they work through deeper patterns.

The important thing to understand is that therapy is not open-ended by default. Good anxiety treatment is goal-oriented. You and your therapist set clear targets, track your progress, and adjust the plan as you improve. The goal is always to get you to a place where you can manage anxiety on your own, not to keep you in therapy indefinitely.

If scheduling regular in-person sessions feels difficult, online therapy offers the same evidence-based approaches with more flexibility around your schedule.

Check Their Credentials

Choose a licensed therapist who has experience in treating your specific potential anxiety disorder. There are lots of people online who advertise as life coaches, counseling ministers, or counselors without a license. You owe it to your health and wellbeing to treat your anxiety with a well-trained and licensed therapist.

Understand Payment and Insurance

Expect to pay for services or use your insurance. If a therapist is offering free counseling or free therapy assessments, this is probably not a good sign. Most qualified and licensed therapists who treat anxiety disorders will expect to be paid for their expertise in helping you to recover from your anxiety disorder.

Pay Attention to How the First Appointment Feels

In your first appointment and all other appointments, pay attention to how the process feels and what you think about their interventions. Do you feel understood? Does the therapist offer skills and interventions that are relevant to your needs in treating your anxiety? If you can answer yes to these questions, then you are likely well on your way to a solid therapy path and recovering from your anxiety disorder.

Be Well,

Call us at 412-322-2129 to reach a therapist to help you treat your anxiety. The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh is here to help.