Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Everyone worries sometimes! Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) goes beyond everyday stress and occasional concern. It involves persistent, excessive worry that can feel difficult to control, even when there isn't an immediate problem to solve.

People with GAD often describe feeling like their minds are constantly scanning for potential problems or preparing for worst-case scenarios. The worry may shift from one topic to another (health, relationships, work, finances, family, or everyday responsibilities), but the feeling of anxiety remains.

Anxiety isn't a sign of weakness or failure. In many cases, it's your brain's attempt to keep you safe. The problem is that the alarm system can become overactive, leaving you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck.

How Anxiety Can Affect Daily Life

Living with anxiety can be mentally and physically draining. Even when things seem to be going well, it can feel difficult to relax or enjoy the present moment.

Anxiety may affect:

  • Relationships and communication

  • Work or school performance

  • Decision-making

  • Sleep and energy levels

  • Concentration and focus

  • Self-confidence

  • Physical health and stress levels

Many people with anxiety become experts at pushing through discomfort. Others may avoid situations that feel overwhelming or spend significant time seeking reassurance, planning, or trying to prevent things from going wrong. Some find they have to try and be “perfect” and control their surroundings as much as possible.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety looks different for everyone, but common experiences include:

  • Excessive or persistent worry

  • Racing thoughts or overthinking

  • Difficulty relaxing

  • Feeling on edge or restless

  • Irritability

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Muscle tension

  • Fatigue

  • Sleep difficulties

  • Perfectionism

  • Constantly preparing for worst-case scenarios

  • Seeking reassurance from others

  • Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty

Some people experience anxiety primarily in their thoughts, while others notice it more in their bodies through tension, headaches, stomach issues, or a persistent feeling of stress. It can also show up as irritibility.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy provides a space to understand anxiety rather than simply fight against it.

Together, we'll explore the patterns that keep anxiety going, identify triggers, and develop practical tools to help you respond differently when anxiety shows up. We'll also look at the underlying experiences, beliefs, and life circumstances that may be contributing to your stress.

My approach focuses on helping you build awareness, increase self-compassion, and develop strategies that fit your unique needs and lifestyle. Rather than trying to stop every anxious thought, we'll work toward helping anxiety have less control over your decisions and daily life.

What Treatment May Look Like

Therapy for anxiety is tailored to each individual, but may include:

  • Learning practical coping and grounding skills

  • Understanding how anxiety operates in your mind and body

  • Identifying patterns of overthinking and worry

  • Building tolerance for uncertainty

  • Addressing perfectionism and self-criticism

  • Exploring past experiences that may contribute to current anxiety

  • Strengthening boundaries and communication skills

  • Developing healthier ways to manage stress

  • Creating realistic, sustainable changes that support your well-being

My goal is to help you feel understood, supported, and equipped with tools you can use outside of therapy.

How Life Can Change with Healing

Healing doesn't mean never feeling anxious again. Anxiety is a normal human emotion. Instead, healing often means feeling more capable of managing anxiety when it arises., and understanding why it’s showing up.

Many people find they are able to:

  • Spend less time worrying

  • Feel more present in their daily lives

  • Sleep better

  • Make decisions with greater confidence

  • Set healthier boundaries

  • Trust themselves more

  • Feel less intense body sensations due to anxiety (racing heart, chest tightness, sweating, etc)

  • Feel calmer and more grounded

  • Enjoy relationships and experiences more fully

Over time, anxiety can shift from something that controls your life to something you understand and know how to navigate.

Ready to Get Started?

If anxiety is taking up more space in your life than you'd like, therapy can help.

You don't have to figure it all out on your own. I'd be honored to support you as you build a healthier relationship with anxiety and create a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and manageable.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation or learn more about working together!