Social Anxiety
Worries about being judged or rejected by others can feel overwhelming and even paralyzing. Sometimes, these worries become so intense that it can be hard to make friends, complete school or work presentations, go to social events, or even spend time in public. With exposure therapy, you’ll learn to build confidence, gradually face your fears, and become more comfortable in social situations.
Panic Attacks
If you experience panic attacks, you might feel like the only way to stay safe is to avoid triggering situations. Unfortunately, continued avoidance can make your world smaller and, over time, make panic symptoms worse. CBT with exposure can help you learn that panic symptoms aren’t dangerous, discover new ways to manage your anxiety, and get back to living the life you want.
Specific Phobia
Fears of animals, vomit, heights, airplanes, elevators, needles, dental work, pill swallowing and more can make it challenging to go places, spend time with loved ones, and/or get necessary medical treatment. While avoiding what scares you (or letting your child avoid what scares them) might seem like the easiest approach, avoidance can make the fear stronger in the long run. Exposure therapy offers a structured, gradual way to confront fears at a pace that feels doable for you. With exposure practice, you will develop skills for tolerating discomfort and learn that these situations are more approachable than they seem.
Health Anxiety
Do you find yourself worried about your health all the time? Do you notice yourself monitoring your physical sensations, checking your body for signs of illness, or asking others for reassurance about your health? Does feeling “off” send you into a spiral of worries about life-threatening illnesses? Health anxiety can make even the smallest body changes feel dangerous, making it hard to relax and even harder to tolerate any uncertainty about your wellbeing. CBT with exposure offers concrete steps to break the cycle of worry and help you tolerate uncertainty around your health, so that you can find peace and be present to the things that matter most to you.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
If you experience daily worries about a variety of topics and notice that what-if thoughts quickly spiral into worst case scenarios, you may be struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Some people find that these worries leave them stuck and struggling to act, while others might find themselves trying to over-plan and control every detail in order to prevent every possible negative outcome. With CBT, you’ll learn how to recognize unhelpful thoughts and develop a more balanced way of thinking. With exposure therapy, you’ll also learn skills to help you tolerate uncomfortable emotions and move forward in spite of uncertainty.