therapy for anxiety boulder

Anxiety can feel like you are stuck in a never-ending loop of avoiding constant threats and preparing for the worst. If you experience anxiety, you are not alone. Anxiety is the most common mental health concern for adults and children in the U.S. Over a quarter of the adult population struggles with this issue at some point during their life.

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that occurs as a reaction to stress and fear. Anxiety is important for survival because it encourages our natural ability to respond to threats and maintain safety. However, many folks get stuck in anxious thoughts and develop "anxiety disorders." The development of an anxiety disorder is often a result of chronic stress, trauma, and complex trauma. Sometimes our bodies and minds adapt to our environment in unhelpful ways. Anxiety is an adaptation that tries to keep you safe but often results in frequent stress, rumination, and avoidance. Therapy can help if you are caught in this cycle.

This post will cover the different types of anxiety disorders, helpful types of therapy for anxiety, when someone should seek treatment, and what to expect in counseling.

Anxiety Therapy Boulder

Takeaway: For many people, anxiety has been a lifelong companion. However, it is possible to unlearn these patterns and find a sense of safety in your mind and body. Working with an anxiety therapist in Boulder can help you get to the root of your struggles and discover greater ease, grounding, and connection. Get started today. 

Does this sound like you?

Are you worried about your mental health as a result of anxiety? You may struggle with a sense of impending doom, constantly feeling overwhelmed, and persistent worry. Panic attacks are very real and cause people to feel like they are having a heart attack or dying. Over time, anxiety symptoms can wreak havoc on our physical health and well-being. Many people cope with feeling anxious by avoiding situations that trigger anxious thoughts. While this is a normal response, it often prevents folks from engaging in healthy activities like work, school, socializing, hobbies, and being out in the community.

Anxiety can also lead to other concerns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and relationship problems. Developing a people-pleasing or perfectionism response can be our attempt to avoid anxiety related to how people think of us and how we view ourselves. Substance abuse is also a common coping mechanism that helps reduce anxiety but often leads to more challenges. Many folks with anxiety can also develop depression, hair pulling, headaches, upset stomach, and cardiac disease. Prolonged anxiety, severe anxiety, and high stress can take a toll on the nervous system, negatively impacting our physical health. If anxiety is starting to impact functioning and is stopping you from living a life you enjoy, a licensed therapist in Boulder, CO, can help.

Working with an anxiety therapist in Boulder can help.

Anxiety is treatable. Studies show that therapy can significantly reduce anxiety, lead to better health outcomes, and improve quality of life. These studies show that therapy can be more effective than medication. Anxiety therapists can help you develop skills to cope with anxiety in day-to-day life while also exploring the underlying issues related to how your anxiety developed. Exploring how your anxiety came to be is helpful in understanding that you have valid reasons for feeling this way and that there is a way to heal.

Many people with anxiety are hard on themselves. We often think self-criticism will motivate us to change, but it frequently has the opposite effect. Counseling can help a person recognize these patterns in thinking and learn techniques to make shifts in their perspective. People with anxiety need self-care. You are dealing with a nervous system that is longing to be cared for. A therapist can help you create a plan to care for your unique needs while finding the best path forward.

Lunasa Counseling and Wellness takes a non-pathologizing and trauma-informed/focused approach to anxiety treatment. Keep reading to learn if our approach and philosophy are a good fit for you.

anxiety therapy boulder

Our approach to therapy for anxiety in Boulder, CO

While diagnosing an anxiety disorder can be helpful in understanding symptoms and how they impact your life, our therapists are non-pathologizing and do not think you are broken or doomed because of your anxiety. We believe that our clients are so much more than an anxiety disorder and want to work with the whole human to find the best path out of suffering.

We believe that developing an anxiety disorder is a very reasonable response to a difficult world and life events. This is why we take a trauma-informed/focused approach. The experiences of your life accumulate in the nervous system and psyche and can result in mental health responses like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, mood disorders, substance abuse, and trouble with relationships.

We develop relationships with our clients so you can approach your challenges from a place of safety, warmth, and non-judgment. Whether you are experiencing anxiety as a long-term issue or as a result of life transitions, our mental health professionals are here to help our clients cope, feel calm, and heal. We use evidence-based practices and modalities for anxiety treatment to ensure our clients get the most effective and current counseling techniques.

Our Modalities

Self-Compassion Therapy for Anxiety, Boulder

Low self-esteem and anxiety often occur together and have a compounding effect on each other. Research consistently shows that developing self-compassion leads to better mental health outcomes for a range of concerns like depression and anxiety. Our therapists work with you to cultivate self-compassion that allows you to understand, accept, and care for your anxiety. With this foundation, you can begin taking steps to reduce symptoms.

ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy) in Boulder, CO

ACT was created to address anxiety. ACT was born out of the CBT movement and incorporates thought pattern recognition, identifying avoidance strategies, mindfulness, personal values, self-compassion, goal setting, and active change.

Poly-Vagal Theory in Boulder, CO

This theory is a nervous system-based approach that helps us cope with feelings of threat, danger, and worry. Our therapists will help you learn your unique anxiety triggers and help you understand how they function in your body. We work with your system to help you learn new skills that signal safety and a sense of calm to your brain.

Who our anxiety therapy services are for

We offer anxiety treatment to adults and older adolescents in Boulder, CO, and along the front range. If you can't make it into the clinic, we offer telehealth therapy to Colorado residents and people living in the state. We are open and affirming to all identities, lifestyles, and bodies. Whether you are dealing with anxiety as a long-term experience or as a result of challenging life transitions, we are here to support you. While our doors are open to all folks, here are some populations we specialize in.

  • Folks with Complex Trauma

    Complex trauma is an experience of trauma that doesn't fit neatly into the U.S.'s diagnosing criteria. Complex trauma is the accumulation of difficult experiences over a lifetime. These experiences can include sexual abuse, physical/emotional abuse, physical/emotional neglect, oppression, poverty, and not having our basic needs met. Over time these experiences cultivate the development of unhelpful dynamics and traits. Complex trauma can result in difficulty regulating emotions, hyper-arousal, disassociation, sleep issues, low self-worth, relationship difficulty, physical health concerns, substance use, process addiction, excessive perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Folks with complex trauma often experience anxiety as an adaptation to difficult life experiences.

  • LGBTQIA+

    Folks that fall under the queer umbrella can have experiences of discrimination and oppression that amplify or create anxiety symptoms. Our mental health professionals are either queer-identified or affirming. We work with your anxiety through the lens of your experience and identity.

  • Non-Monogamous

    We see clients in many different relationship configurations. We also recognize that practicing consensual and ethical non-monogamy comes with its own unique challenges that can trigger anxious thoughts. Wherever you are in your relationship journey, we are here to support you.

  • Fat-Identified

    Our practice holds HAES (health at every size) values. This means we believe that health and wellness can be achieved at every size, and we don't think you need to change your body size to experience healing. We recognize that experiences of discrimination and anti-fat bias impact mental health, and we hold this in our awareness when providing treatment.

  • Substance Use and Addiction

    We recognize that developing a substance or process addiction is an honest attempt at coping with mental health concerns. We often take a harm reduction approach and have trained addiction counselors to help you work with co-occurring concerns.

FAQs about anxiety treatment in Boulder, CO

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about anxiety treatment. If you have more questions about counseling and anxiety treatment contact us. We are happy to talk with you!

  • There are many different types of anxiety disorders. Here are some explanations of some of the most common:

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

    Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by persistent and excessive worry about daily life. GAD can interfere with functioning because people experience difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, headaches, restlessness, tension, and feeling on edge. Because rumination and worry are often related to everyday experiences, some people avoid these experiences and find it difficult to engage in common activities.

    Panic Disorder

    Panic disorder is marked by the experience of panic attacks. A panic attack can start as an intense sense of impending doom, sometimes for no identifiable reason. Panic attacks are accompanied by intense physical health symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, numbness, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, and fear of dying or losing control. People that experience panic attacks may isolate and avoid situations out of fear of having a panic attack.

    Social Anxiety Disorder

    Social anxiety disorder is marked by fear of social situations. Usually, anxiety is related to fear of being humiliated, embarrassed, or rejected. Folks with this disorder often avoid social situations and become isolated, sometimes leading to depression.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are well-researched and common approaches to treatment. Exposure therapy is also common. Recently, other modalities have gained status as evidenced-based treatments, such as ACT, IFS, poly-vagal theory, somatic interventions, and mindfulness-based approaches. Our clinicians are informed by all of these modalities and will tailor their approach to your unique needs and preferences. Since we take a trauma-informed/focused approach, we include a range of therapeutic techniques to help treat anxiety and any underlying trauma.

  • Yes! Although outcomes cannot be guaranteed, research shows that anxiety therapy can result in more improvement than medication. Most people that participate in anxiety treatment report a reduction in symptoms and an increase in quality of life. Many clients see some improvement in just a few sessions. Mild anxiety could be dealt with in 8-12 sessions, while moderate to severe anxiety may need 15-20 sessions. A therapist can help you learn tools and skills to cope with anxiety while untangling the source of your symptoms. Deciding to seek support from a therapist is a personal choice. It is often best to be collaborative with your therapist and let them know what is working and what isn't. Our practitioners build genuine relationships with clients to provide the best support possible.

anxiety therapist boulder

Anxiety therapy in Boulder can help you find peace.

Lunasa Counseling and Wellness is here to provide a compassionate, non-pathologizing, and trauma-informed approach to anxiety treatment. We use evidence-based practices and stay up to date on the most current research and effective techniques. We don't think you are broken. Being human is hard, and we adapt to challenges in many ways that can become unhelpful.

We are accepting new clients! If you are considering therapy for anxiety and possible underlying trauma, reach out for a free consultation to start the process.