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General Anxiety Disorder Treatment

The First Step is The Hardest, Don't Wait to Lead a Better Life

  • Meet with a compassionate general anxiety therapist near you
  • Unopinionated and confidential generalized anxiety treatment processes
  • Uncover strengths and learn skills to face general anxiety issues

Find a Therapist 855-722-4422

What is General Anxiety Disorder?

A constant state of worry, fear, and dread lead to General Anxiety Disorder. Proper generalized anxiety treatment can help you foster coping skills & recover quicker.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a condition where people experience intense and constant worry about everyday things without a clear reason. They always expect something bad to happen and can't stop worrying about their health, money, family, and more. This excessive stress can lead them to avoid work, social events, and family gatherings that might make their symptoms worse. Therapy for generalized anxiety disorder with an anxiety therapist can help you work through your concerns, understand your thoughts, and develop effective ways to cope with anxiety.

General Anxiety Disorder
GAD Therapy for Men GAD Therapy for Men

Men who struggle with anxiety may often show anger outbursts and can also have addiction issues with substances like alcohol and drugs. The appropriate general anxiety therapy can provide relief from emotional burdens and create a safe space to openly discuss these challenges.

GAD Therapy for Women GAD Therapy for Women

Women may cope with anxiety by avoiding certain situations due to agoraphobia, which can result in more frequent panic attacks. General anxiety therapy is helpful in recognizing and addressing negative thoughts, helping to cultivate a more positive perspective on life.

GAD Therapy for Children & Adolescents GAD Therapy for Children & Adolescents

Children who have General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often worry about things like the future, fitting in socially, and their abilities. General anxiety therapy can support them in expressing their concerns and developing a more positive outlook on life.

What Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder Are You Facing?

Healing begins with open and honest communication. If you are facing these symptoms, it's important to reach out and connect with a general anxiety therapist.

  • Excessive Sweating

  • Restlessness

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Irritable bowel syndrome

  • Excessive Worry

  • Difficulty Concentrating

  • Indecisiveness

What causes General Anxiety Disorder?

Similar to many mental health issues, generalized anxiety disorder is likely the result of a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors, which may include:

  • Differences in brain chemistry and function.
  • Development and personality.
  • Genetics and family history.
  • Differences in the way threats are perceived.
“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.” — Walter Anderson

Overcome Anxiety with Proven Treatment Methods

Anxiety can feel all-encompassing, but research has found many treatment modalities effective in decreasing symptoms and getting to the root of your anxiety issues, so you can live a healthier, brighter life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for treating generalized anxiety disorder. By identifying negative thought patterns, understanding how they influence feelings and behaviors, and learning effective coping skills to overcome them, CBT helps people with general anxiety disorder reclaim power from their thoughts.

CBT is a great option for people who experience overthinking, catastrophizing, looping thoughts or rumination, and black-or-white thinking patterns.

Exposure Therapy for General Anxiety

With exposure therapy, a licensed therapist will help you face your fears—either through mental visualization or in real life situations—while teaching you effective coping strategies to mitigate the fear and overcome anxiety.

As frightening as exposure therapy can seem, it is proven to be highly effective, with around 60–90% of people finishing exposure therapy with either mild or nonexistent symptoms of anxiety.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT helps you live life according to your dreams and values, not your fears and anxieties. By focusing on engaging in meaningful actions rather than your anxiety, ACT helps people reassert control in their lives.

ACT also emphasizes complete acceptance of the difficult thoughts and emotions General Anxiety Disorder can bring. It acknowledges how hard living with anxiety is while encouraging you to commit to the life you want to be living.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was originally used to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. However, it has since become a common treatment for anxiety, depression, and more. DBT addresses debilitating behaviors by replacing them with positive coping mechanisms and helping you lean on your natural support system.

DBT is a good choice for those who's life has been put on hold by their anxiety. If you struggle to go to work, maintain friendships, or leave your home, DBT can help.

Treatment and Process

Our Team of General Anxiety Therapist

Our team of licensed therapists create customized GAD treatment plans that will help you overcome anxiety so you can breathe easier.

Insurance We Accept

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Anxiety is a common human experience, but for those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the worry often surpasses what is rational or proportionate to the situation. It becomes pervasive, infiltrating daily life with feelings of fear and apprehension. GAD can disrupt daily functioning, making it challenging to navigate social interactions and maintain personal relationships. Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or muscle twitching may also accompany the mental distress. Fortunately, effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder can offer relief and improve overall well-being.

The exact origins of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is unknown, but several factors are believed to play a role, including genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental influences.

Genetics: Research suggests that a family history of GAD may heighten the risk of developing the disorder. While there isn't a specific anxiety gene identified, familial predispositions may be passed down through environmental or lifestyle factors.

Brain Chemistry: The intricate workings of the brain can contribute to anxiety and mood disorders. Dysfunctional neural pathways connecting regions involved in cognition and emotion have been linked to GAD. These pathways rely on neurotransmitters to transmit signals between nerve cells. Interventions targeting neurotransmitter activity, such as medications or psychotherapies, can modulate these pathways and alleviate symptoms of anxiety.

Environmental Factors: Traumatic life events, such as abuse, loss, divorce, or significant life changes, can exacerbate GAD symptoms. High levels of stress or feeling overwhelmed can also contribute to the progression of the disorder. Additionally, substance use and withdrawal, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by both physical symptoms and cognitive effects. Diagnosis of GAD typically follows a standardized set of criteria outlined by mental health professionals. These criteria require that symptoms persist for at least six months and cannot be attributed to any other medical condition. Key indicators of GAD include:

1. Experiencing excessive and persistent anxiety and tension.

2. Holding unfounded perceptions of issues or events.

3. Feeling constantly on edge or uneasy.

4. Struggling to maintain focus or concentration.

5. Feeling consistently fatigued or easily exhausted.

6. Experiencing heightened irritability or moodiness.

7. Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

8. Suffering from muscle stiffness or experiencing aches and pains throughout the body.

Generalized anxiety disorder frequently co-occurs with the following mental health conditions:
  • Phobias
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Trauma-related stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Suicide or suicidal ideation
  • Addiction to drugs

 Living with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can feel like being on a rollercoaster of worry and fear, making it challenging to navigate daily life with a sense of control and fulfillment. Physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, and difficulty communicating may further exacerbate the struggle. If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, reaching out for help is crucial. You can take the first step towards relief by searching for a "generalized anxiety disorder therapist near me" or contacting Lifebulb to schedule an appointment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool for managing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It helps address negative thought patterns and distortions that impact how you perceive the world and yourself. CBT operates on the idea that your thoughts, rather than external events, influence your emotions. Our team of general anxiety therapists can help you identify these negative thoughts and teach you coping mechanisms to shift your mindset and improve your overall quality of life.

Exposure therapy is another effective treatment for GAD, commonly used to assist individuals with phobias and anxiety disorders. It involves gradually exposing yourself to feared situations or stimuli under the guidance of a trained general anxiety therapist in a safe environment. Research shows that 60 to 90 percent of individuals experience either no symptoms or mild symptoms of their initial anxiety condition after completing exposure therapy.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on reducing the struggle to control anxious thoughts and increasing engagement in meaningful actions aligned with life goals. It emphasizes acceptance as a means of coping with distressing thoughts, emotions, symptoms, or situations, while also promoting a commitment to a path of healing and wellness.

Peer support programs offer individuals who have made significant progress in their GAD treatment the opportunity to support others on their recovery journey. Peer specialists play a vital role in fostering recovery, instilling hope, and building networks through sharing their own experiences and providing guidance and empowerment to others undergoing treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.

Here are some guidelines and preventive measures to incorporate into your self-treatment plan for generalized anxiety disorder, to help you avoid triggers and reduce GAD symptoms:

1. Don't wait to seek therapy if you're feeling stressed or anxious.

2. Try to stay active and fit.

3. Stay connected with friends and family; don't isolate yourself.

4. Stick to your treatment plan as prescribed.

5. Use techniques to reduce stress, like deep breathing or mindfulness.

6. Consider joining a support group for people dealing with anxiety.

Lifebulb general anxiety therapists and counselors specialize in providing in-person or online therapy, counseling, care, and treatment for a wide variety of mental healthcare needs and issues, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, trauma, PTSD, couples counseling, marriage counseling, life transitions, adjustment disorders, bipolar, schizophrenia, eating disorders, child counseling, teen and adolescent therapy, anger management, career coaching, life coaching, ADHD treatment, family therapy, panic attacks, phobias, substance abuse, virtual therapy, online counseling, EMDR, EFT, and many more.

Your first general anxiety therapy session with a Lifebulb general anxiety therapist or counselor won't simply be a background or demographic information-gathering session - We know deciding to get help is a big deal and a difficult step. That's why our first offline or online general anxiety therapy session with you will be about providing you with the help you're seeking and proving that the general anxiety disorder treatment process can work with the right effort and commitment from both sides.

We believe getting access to a general anxiety therapist or counselor should be quick and easy. So our process is straightforward. Simply browse our therapists' bios to find the right fit for you or search online for ‘generalized anxiety disorder therapist near me’ and schedule a virtual counseling or in-person counseling session online. Or call our office, and a team member can help make sure you're matched with the right general anxiety therapist or counselor for you and your goals. Whether online GAD therapy or offline GAD therapy, your therapist will help you with an individualized general anxiety disorder treatment plan to help you reach your specific goals.

If you are experiencing an emergency right now, please call 911 right away. While Lifebulb is not a crisis center and Lifebulb general anxiety therapist and counselors are not emergency services, we understand that urgent matters can and will pop up from time to time. You will have direct email and phone access to your therapist, who will make their best effort to be available to you when you reach out. Depending on your specific general anxiety disorder treatment plan, your general anxiety therapist may provide you with resources to use or contact when situations occur beyond the scope of your online general anxiety therapy or offline therapy work together.

When you book a session with your general anxiety therapist or counselor, our team will email you a confirmation of your appointment date and time with a link to the virtual GAD therapy room. Click the link and log in to the virtual general anxiety therapy room a few minutes before your session, and your general anxiety therapist will meet you there.

Yes. All of our therapists are able to provide best online GAD therapy and general anxiety disorder treatment services to our clients.

We use a HIPAA-compliant video counseling service integrated into our Electronic Health Records System to provide a smooth process for our clients to engage in online GAD therapy sessions.

How do I book an appointment? Booking a session with us is easy. Simply call our office or request a specific session time from our website, and a team member can book you with the best possible fit as a general anxiety therapist or confirm your online session details. We'll review insurance information and a few simple policies and email you a confirmation of your session date and time, whether in-person or virtual GAD therapy. How can I cancel my appointment? We have a flexible cancellation policy. Simply call our office or reach out to your counselor 24 hours or more before your GAD therapy session time to cancel or reschedule an in-person or virtual general anxiety therapy appointment.

Booking a GAD therapy session with us is easy and flexible, with several options. You can find us online by simply searching ‘generalized anxiety disorder therapist near me’ or call our office, and a team member can book you with the best fit-in general anxiety therapist. We'll review insurance information and a few simple policies and email you a confirmation of your session date and time, whether in-person or virtual. Or you can select your ideal general anxiety therapist from our website, select a GAD therapy session time that works for you, and we'll reach out to you to confirm your appointment details.

We have a flexible GAD therapy cancellation policy. Call our office or reach out to your counselor or general anxiety therapist 24 hours or more before your online general anxiety therapy session time to cancel or reschedule any appointment at no cost.

General anxiety disorder treatment is often a long-term process that can help in improving overall mental health. It has been demonstrated that GAD therapy can enhance feelings and behaviors and is associated with healthy adjustments to the brain and body. There is never a guaranteed "cure," but GAD therapy helps make positive lifestyle changes.

We accept many major commercial insurance plans for GAD therapy, including Aetna, Amerihealth, Cigna, Optum Health, United Healthcare, Tricare, and others. If you don't see your insurance listed, we would be happy to verify your benefits to see if we can accept them, and if not, we offer you an affordable self-pay rate.

At Lifebulb, we operate without any ongoing membership or fees. We believe that everyone deserves to receive the best therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. And we believe those benefits should come free of any ongoing out-of-pocket fees simply for engaging in GAD therapy. With us, your only general anxiety treatment session costs will be those set by your insurance provider or our low self-pay rate.

While many practices accept only self-pay clients or out-of-network benefits, at Lifebulb, we aim to keep your costs low by accepting most major insurance plans. Often the out-of-pocket expense per online general anxiety disorder treatment session is a low copay determined by your specific insurance provider and plan. We also offer a self-pay rate lower than many practices for those without insurance or simply preferring not to use their healthcare benefits for in-person or virtual GAD therapy.

At Lifebulb, we are extremely picky about who we hire to help you achieve your general anxiety disorder treatment goals. But we understand that every general anxiety therapist may not be the perfect match for every client. If your GAD therapy experience is less than you hoped, we will help you get set up to see someone you prefer.

While the majority of our clients opt to have their insurance benefits to get general anxiety therapy online, we offer a self-pay rate, which may vary slightly by geography and general anxiety therapist licensure.

We take the responsibility of maintaining your privacy seriously. Lifebulb is considered a covered entity under HIPAA guidelines, which means we are subject to all HIPAA rules and regulations. If you have any questions (or recommendations) about our privacy and security practices, we want to help. Contact us at privacy@lifebulb.com.

General anxiety therapists that don't enjoy their workplace are often, unfortunately, unable to provide their clients with the best possible level of counseling and therapy. That's why at Lifebulb, our general anxiety therapists are our top priority. This means that your counselor or therapist can provide you, their client, with the best online GAD therapy service because they enjoy the work they do in session with you, where they work, and who they work with.

Our online GAD therapy sessions are all conducted by our general anxiety therapists in private spaces, and our video platform is contained within our HIPAA-compliant Electronic Health Records system, so your face, voice, and data are always private and protected.

Lifebulb is considered a covered entity under HIPAA guidelines, which means we are subject to all HIPAA rules and regulations. If you have any questions (or recommendations) about our privacy and security practices, we want to help. Contact us at privacy@lifebulb.com.

At Lifebulb, our biggest difference lies in our general anxiety therapists. Many practices, large and small, often put growing businesses before growing people. It may sound simple, but at Lifebulb, we treat our general anxiety therapists like valuable people that provide a valuable service. What does that mean for our clients? While we believe therapists and counselors, regardless of where they work, do their best for their clients, we've found that general anxiety therapists who genuinely enjoy where they work are able to provide the best therapy for generalized anxiety disorder to those they help. To that end, our primary goal at Lifebulb is to provide our therapists with the best possible environment in which to operate. In doing so, we believe Lifebulb clients are best positioned to accomplish their general anxiety disorder treatment goals through in-person counseling or virtual therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.

At Lifebulb, we are extremely selective about the general anxiety therapists we hire because we know choosing the right general anxiety therapist can make all the difference in our clients reaching their goals. Our general anxiety therapists are all educated at the masters level and above and have received several years of hands-on training before becoming fully licensed clinicians. Even among the pool of highly trained therapists, we only work with those who align with our core values. That way, we know your general anxiety therapist will go the extra mile to help you and offer the best therapy for generalized anxiety disorder online or in-person counseling.

Lifebulb has several locations for providing in-person counseling and is adding more regularly. We also provide telehealth or online GAD therapy session services for those who may live distant from our offices.

All our counselors are highly educated and trained and have received their full clinical licensure from practicing counseling. We also thoroughly interview each of our general anxiety therapists, ensure that they pass a background check, and train them in-house to work with us. Additionally, we ensure that each of our counselors and general anxiety therapists participates in ongoing education to continue to provide the best in-person and online GAD therapy services possible.

It is important that our clients work with the best possible fit as a general anxiety therapist for their specific needs. This is why we provide detailed bios of our therapists for our clients to review before reaching out to us. If you have a specific general anxiety therapist in mind to work with, we would be happy to schedule you to see them. We also understand that our clients don't always match perfectly with their general anxiety therapist, and in the case of a less-than-great fit, we will help you to find the right match among our team and, if necessary, provide the best referral we can to someone more suited to help you beyond our walls.

A professional counselor is a master- or PhD-level mental health professional approved by a state licensure board to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. The exact name of a professional counselor's license can vary by state, but some of the most common are: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

We employ licensed clinical psychologists, as psychologists can offer services, such as the best online GAD therapy services and psychological testing, that many other license types cannot offer. Often, your counselor or general anxiety therapist can work with a psychologist to provide GAD therapy and psychological testing when necessary to better provide for your specific needs or goals. In this way, we can better provide for a broader range of your needs.

Resources

Read our comprehensive list of resources to learn more about general anxiety and GAD therapy.