Anxiety Therapy in Denver

Anxiety can be complex and debilitating, both mentally and physically. Signals of too much anxiety are problems sleeping, difficulty focusing, irritability, panic attacks, overthinking, fears of the future, racing thoughts, and physical symptoms such as increased muscle tension, increased heart rate. Below is a list of common anxiety disorders and the most common symptoms. This list is not exhaustive, but a starting point to understanding anxiety. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and would like support, send us a message to schedule your free initial consultation today! Together with one of our Denver anxiety therapists, we'll discuss some of your symptoms and whether anxiety treatment is right for you.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Some symptoms include excessive worry, overthinking, worries about a wide range of topics and scenarios, inability to turn off worries.

• Panic Disorder: Some symptoms include difficulty breathing, sudden fear and dread, heart palpitations.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: Anxious thoughts and worries, preoccupation with what others think about you, inability to control or push away worries preventing you from engaging in social activities.

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Some symptoms include preoccupied or obsessive thoughts, repetitive behaviors that function to help manage anxiety related to obsessive thoughts.

• Bipolar Disorder: This disorder is categorized as a mood disorder and often has a strong anxiety component. During depressive episodes and/or hypomanic or manic episodes, anxiety symptoms similar to other anxiety disorders can become quite acute.

Our Denver anxiety therapists offer Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other therapy approaches that incorporate somatic interventions to treat anxiety. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, meaning ACT is a newer and evolved version of cognitive behavioral therapy. ACT has an expanded focus on the whole human experience, with an emphasis on the here and now. An ACT approach often involves many of the following:

• Values exploration and clarification

• Learning more about emotions and how they show up for you

• Tuning into your body and learning more about how feelings, thoughts, beliefs and/or past trauma show-up uniquely for you

• Skills in mindfulness as a way to regulate emotions and as a new way to relate anxious feelings and self-defeating thoughts and beliefs

• Development of compassion for self and others

• Development of a more meaningful connection with yourself as well as with others

• Identifying committed action steps, making a purposeful choice to live and make choices aligned with values, to help you create and cultivate a meaningful, well lived life

In the fields of mental health and clinical psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, and other behavioral therapies (e.g., exposure therapies) often have been the treatments of choice for anxiety (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, OCD). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an approach prized for being evidence-based and producing fast results, does not work for everyone. Using CBT, a therapist may work with you to locate any “faulty” parts/faulty core beliefs for replacement much like a mechanic replaces broken parts in a car. At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we do not believe individuals need fixing. We do not see folks as broken, nor do we shame folks for their thoughts, their pasts, etc. You are not your thoughts nor are you the painful experiences of your past. We believe folks need empowerment not more shame.

Our anxiety counseling focuses on helping clients to increase their capacity to notice self-defeating patterns that aren’t serving them, and shift to choices that align with their values and goals. Yes, the work here can be difficult as it requires that folks open to and make space for those anxious feelings they would prefer not ever feel or acknowledge in themselves. This isn't a request made lightly. This request is made because this space is a highly effective way for clients to better know themselves and to grow.

You may be wondering if anxiety is to be expected in life and an unavoidable part of the human experience, is therapy even worth the time, money and effort. The short answer, is yes. Even if you are managing anxiety and getting through day-by-day, prolonged and heightened anxiety is a mental health issue that over time can wear down your mental and physical health. So let’s talk about the benefits of anxiety counseling.

When folks experience anxiety it is not uncommon for their lives to shrink and become smaller. It is also harder to be present when your life is mostly lived in your head. Therapy can help folks be more present with themself and their loved ones. Anxiety can also increase feelings of depression. For example, with social anxiety, social interactions are often avoided, thus there are less opportunities for social connection, which can increase isolation and feelings of depression. Avoiding situations that bring up fear and discomfort comes at quite the cost. In therapy we will shine the light on self-defeating patterns as well as help you to get back in touch with the benefits of a life well lived. Folks learn techniques and skills to relate differently to self-defeating patterns so they can feel confident in the face of stress, worry, and anxiety.

There are several potential benefits of therapy for anxiety such as improved self esteem, increased goal-setting, reduced burnout, decrease feelings of depression, decreased worry, and improved relationships. Clients also learn to practice routines and rituals that offer relief from anxiety, stress and worry.

Most people struggling with anxiety have considered or given a try to medications to find relief. Some folks currently take an antidepressant or anxiolytic medication to help manage their anxious feelings. Each person’s journey is going to be different. At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we will offer space for you to explore what makes sense for your particular situation and needs. Your autonomy will be honored and respected. We will create a collaborative space where you can fully discuss and process, if you’d like to give medications a try. 

For people who have tried medication only to discover the side effects outweigh the benefits or for people who are only interested in therapy alone, please know that anxiety can often be effectively treated with therapy alone. Our therapists will help you to determine where to center your efforts to create lasting change. Our LGBTQIA+ therapists will help you explore the struggles that may be interconnected with anxiety. For instance, in addition to helping you develop coping strategies, our therapists will help you access deeper levels of emotions. Deeper emotions such as anger, grief, sadness, etc., hold healing wisdom, as well as help you grow and cultivate a better relationship with yourself and others. 

Another option for people who have found little relief following medication trials or who prefer other treatment options is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (also called "KAP") combines the therapeutic effects of ketamine with traditional psychotherapy to create a powerful tool for mental health treatment. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with a long history of safe use in medical operating rooms. Common mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation have demonstrated positive outcomes when using ketamine. Using KAP as part of your anxiety treatment can reduce symptoms of anxiety, such as overthinking and negative thought patterns, and deepen the overall impacts of psychotherapy. Contact us for an introductory consultation call to see if KAP is a good therapy option for you.