ANXIETY THERAPY · OTTAWA & WESTBORO · VIRTUAL ACROSS ONTARIO
Anxiety Therapy Ottawa
Quiet Your Racing Thoughts.
Do you lie in bed at night replaying things you said five hours ago? Does your chest feel tight even when you are just sitting on the couch?
You are not alone. So many people who reach out to our Ottawa team feel the exact same way.
Your mind won’t slow down and you can’t relax.
You finally sit down to watch a movie, but your brain won’t let you. You’re thinking about work, money, your family, tomorrow, and everything else you need to deal with.
You feel on edge, even though nothing is actually wrong. Your shoulders are tense. Your jaw is tight. Your chest feels heavy. You try to take a deep breath and relax, but your body just won’t settle down.
You know you’re safe. You know you’re probably overthinking. But you still can’t seem to switch it off.
Anxiety therapy helps you see why you feel stuck. It teaches you how to feel calm, stay in control, and feel like yourself again.
SOUNDS FAMILIAR?
How Anxiety Shows Up In Daily Life
You can’t stop thinking
about “what if…”
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about “what if…”
You solve one problem, and your brain finds another one.
You think, “I know I’m overthinking this, but I can’t stop.”
Even when things are okay, you still feel tense. You still feel like something could go wrong.
Anxiety Therapy can help you break this cycle. You can learn to slow down your worry so your brain does not have to be “on” all the time.
You’re always worried about
what people think.
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what people think.
“Did I make a bad impression?”
You avoid speaking up, making phone calls, or going to events. You stay away from things where you might feel embarrassed.
Even when the talk went fine, your brain finds ways to pick it apart.
Anxiety Therapy can help you feel more at ease around other people. You can learn to be yourself without always worrying about what people think.
Your body suddenly goes
into panic mode.
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into panic mode.
You feel dizzy or like you can't catch your breath.
For a moment, you think, “Something is very wrong with me.”
Even after the panic stops, you worry that it will happen again. You avoid the place where it happened and change what you do, just in case.
Anxiety Therapy can help you understand what is happening in your body. You can learn what to do when panic hits.
You notice one symptom and
Google it right away.
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Google it right away.
You Google your symptoms. You check your body. You ask someone if they think you're okay.
You feel better for a little while.
Then the worry comes back.
Anxiety Therapy can help you break this cycle so you do not have to keep checking or looking for answers.
You avoid things because
they scare you.
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they scare you.
The fear feels so strong that avoiding it seems easier.
You plan your day around things you want to avoid. You spend a lot of time thinking about what could go wrong.
With the right support, you can face these fears one step at a time. You can learn that you can handle the fear when it shows up.
You’re always wondering if
someone is upset with you.
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someone is upset with you.
A friend seems quiet and you think, “Did I do something?”
You ask for reassurance. You read texts again. You study someone’s tone. You assume that a little distance means something is wrong.
The hard part is that even when someone tells you everything is fine, you don't feel better for long.
Anxiety Therapy can help you understand where this fear comes from. You can feel more secure without needing to ask for reassurance all the time.
Recognize yourself in any of these? That's worth a conversation.
Meet Our Ottawa Anxiety Therapists
You’ll be matched with someone who understands how ADHD actually shows up in adult life.
Caitlin Kemmett
Adults juggling ADHD alongside anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout.
Book with Caitlin
Jessica Muziramakenga
Teens and adults navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and life transitions.
Book with JessicaWhat Feels Different When Anxiety Is Not In Charge
Getting help for anxiety does not mean changing who you are. It means learning how to handle the thoughts and feelings that have been taking over. You may start to notice things like:
You can fall asleep more easily
You get into bed without going over your day again and again. Your mind slows down, and you can rest.
Your body feels more relaxed
Your shoulders feel less tight. Your jaw can relax. Your chest feels lighter. You can take a deep breath.
You feel better about your choices
You make a choice and move on. You do not need to ask other people if you made the right choice.
You can enjoy time with people
You go to a party or meeting without worrying the whole time. Later, you do not spend hours thinking about what you said.
You can relax after work
Your workday ends, and you leave work behind. You can eat dinner, watch a show, or spend time with your family without checking your email all night.
You can handle the things you did not expect
Something goes wrong, but you do not feel like everything is falling apart. You take a breath, figure out what to do, and keep going.
Questions About Anxiety Therapy
How do I know if I have anxiety?
Anxiety can look different for everyone. You may worry a lot. Your mind may not slow down. You may feel tense, have trouble sleeping, or feel like something bad will happen. If anxiety is getting in the way of your life, it may be time to get help.
Why do I feel anxious when nothing is wrong?
You can feel anxious even when life is going well. Your mind and body may stay on high alert, even when you are safe. You may know that things are okay, but still feel worried or on edge. Therapy can help you understand why this happens and learn ways to feel calmer.
Why can’t I stop overthinking?
You may know you are thinking too much, but you still cannot stop. Your mind keeps going over the same problem. You may keep asking, “What if?” or looking for what could go wrong. Therapy can help you slow these thoughts down.
Why does anxiety make my heart race?
When you feel anxious, your body gets ready for danger. Your heart may beat fast. Your chest may feel tight. You may breathe faster, sweat, or shake. It can feel scary. Therapy can help you understand these body changes and learn what to do when they happen.
Can anxiety cause body symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can affect your body in many ways. You may have a tight chest, fast heartbeat, upset stomach, shaky hands, dizziness, tight muscles, or trouble sleeping. If you have new or severe symptoms, talk to your doctor to make sure there is not another cause.
What happens in anxiety therapy?
Anxiety therapy is more than just talking. You will learn ways to handle worry, calm your body, and deal with things you may be avoiding. Your therapist will work with you to find tools that fit your needs.
Do I have to talk about my past?
No. Your past may be part of your story, but therapy does not have to focus on it. You can also focus on what is happening now and what you can do to feel better each day.
Do I have to take medication?
No. Some people use therapy on its own. Others use therapy and medication together. Your therapist can talk with you about your choices. If needed, they can suggest that you speak with a doctor about medication.
How long does anxiety therapy take?
There is no set number of sessions. Some people start to feel better after a few sessions. Others need more time. It depends on what you are going through and what you want to work on.
Can therapy help with panic attacks?
Yes. Therapy can help you understand what happens during a panic attack. You can also learn what to do when one starts. You can work on the fear of having another panic attack, too.
What if I know I’m overthinking but can’t stop?
You are not alone. Knowing you are overthinking does not always make it stop. Therapy can help you learn new ways to deal with these thoughts so they do not take over your day.
How do I start anxiety therapy?
You do not need to have all the answers before you reach out. Send us a message or book a call. We can talk about what is going on and help you figure out what kind of support you need.
We see you and we're here to help!
At our practice, we understand how hard it can be to live with worry that never seems to stop. Your mind keeps going. Your body feels on edge. And even when you know things are okay, you still cannot seem to relax. We want to hear what you are going through and help you feel more in control.
- Understand what is happening: Learn why your mind and body feel on edge.
- Learn simple tools: Find ways to slow down worry, overthinking, and panic.
- Feel more like yourself again: Get back to the things you enjoy without anxiety running your day.
You do not have to deal with all of this on your own. Things can get better, and you do not have to wait until things feel worse to ask for help.