What is Anxiety Therapy Like?
If anxiety is running the show, therapy can help you take the reins.
Anxiety isn’t just feeling nervous before a big event. It can sneak into your daily life, making even simple decisions feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re constantly overthinking, avoiding things that make you uncomfortable, or feeling like your brain just won’t shut off. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering if therapy could help.
If you’re searching for anxiety therapy, you probably have a lot of questions. What does therapy actually look like? How do you know when it’s time to get help? How do you even find a therapist? How can I get the most out of therapy for anxiety?
Let’s walk through what anxiety therapy involves, how to find the right therapist, and how I help clients take meaningful steps to reduce anxiety—not just manage it.
How Do You Know If You Need Anxiety Therapy?
Anxiety exists on a spectrum. It’s normal to feel anxious before a big presentation or while making a major decision. But when anxiety starts interfering with your daily life, relationships, work, or health, it may be time to seek support.
Some signs that anxiety therapy could help include:
Constant worrying or overthinking, even about small things.
Feeling on edge, restless, or irritable most of the time.
Avoiding situations, places, or conversations out of fear or discomfort.
Struggling with decision-making because you fear making the wrong choice.
Physical symptoms like racing heart, upset stomach, headaches, or dizziness.
Feeling mentally exhausted from always trying to control or quiet your thoughts.
Turning to unhelpful coping strategies (like procrastination, overworking, or numbing out with screens or alcohol) to escape anxious feelings.
If any of these sound familiar, therapy can help you regain control and feel more at ease in your daily life.
How to Find an Anxiety Therapist in Milwaukee & Chicago
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few steps to help:
Look for a therapist who specializes in anxiety. Some therapists take a general approach, but if anxiety is your main struggle, you’ll want someone trained in evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—both of which I use in my practice.
Check out their website or profiles. Look for details on their approach, what to expect in therapy, and whether their style feels like a good fit for you.
Consider virtual therapy. Virtual therapy offers the flexibility to get support without the stress of commuting. I offer online therapy in Chicago, Milwaukee, Hinsdale, Whitefish Bay, and anywhere in IL & WI.
Reach out with questions. Many therapists, including myself, offer a free consultation to help you decide if it feels like the right fit.
What Happens in Anxiety Therapy?
Anxiety therapy isn’t about "fixing" you. You’re not broken. It’s about helping you understand how anxiety works and making small, intentional changes to break the patterns that keep it in control.
Here’s what anxiety therapy often includes:
Understanding your anxiety triggers. We’ll identify the thoughts, situations, and behaviors that keep anxiety going.
Learning how to respond to anxious thoughts differently. Instead of trying to “turn off” anxiety (which never works), you’ll learn how to shift your relationship with it so it has less power over you.
Taking action to break avoidance patterns. Anxiety thrives when we avoid things that make us uncomfortable. Therapy helps you take small, strategic steps to rebuild confidence and reduce fear.
Developing healthier coping strategies. If overthinking, procrastination, or distraction have been your go-to responses, we’ll work on new tools that help you feel more in control.
How I Approach Anxiety Therapy
I take a behavioral, action-oriented approach to therapy. While talking about your feelings is part of the process, I believe true change happens when you start doing things differently.
I use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you challenge anxious thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you stop fighting anxiety and instead take meaningful action, even when discomfort is present.
Rather than just giving you quick coping tricks, I focus on helping you change behaviors that keep anxiety in control—so you can move through life with more confidence.
Online Anxiety Therapy in Milwaukee & Chicago
If you’re in Milwaukee, Chicago, or anywhere in WI & IL, I offer virtual therapy so you can get support from home. No driving across town, no sitting in a waiting room—just flexible, accessible therapy on your terms.
As someone who has lived in both Milwaukee and the Chicagoland area, I also understand the unique stressors that come with life here—whether it’s balancing work and family, managing seasonal mood shifts, or just dealing with the unpredictability of Midwest weather.
Therapy should fit into your life, not add more stress. Virtual sessions make that possible.
What’s Next?
If you’re tired of anxiety making decisions for you, therapy can help you get unstuck. Whether your anxiety feels like a constant hum in the background or something that takes over entirely, you don’t have to keep pushing through alone. I’d love to support you. Reach out to learn more about how we can work together.
About the author
I’m Shannon, a licensed therapist specializing in anxiety therapy for women and moms. I use CBT and ACT to help clients break free from anxious patterns and start taking meaningful action toward the life they want.
I know how exhausting anxiety can be, and I also know that change is possible. My approach is practical, supportive, and action-focused—I won’t just listen; I’ll help you make real shifts in your daily life.
I provide online anxiety therapy across Wisconsin and Illinois, including Milwaukee, Chicago, Hinsdale, and Whitefish Bay, so support is just a click away. If you’re ready to start working toward less anxiety and more ease, let’s connect.
