Therapy for Anxiety

Do I need therapy for anxiety?

Do you feel nervous, worried, or panicked more often than not? Does your heart pound and your thoughts race? Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night as stressors run circles through your head? Are you feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and unsure how to make things better?

You might be struggling with an anxiety disorder – and you are not alone!

All of us feel anxious from time to time, and some anxiety can actually be quite healthy. For example, if you didn’t feel somewhat anxious about doing well in a job interview, you might not bother to show up on time or dress your best.

However, many of us struggle with unhealthy, unhelpful anxiety.

Some of the most common indicators of unhealthy anxiety include:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• High stress
• Frequent and uncontrollable worry
• Difficulty relaxing or being calm
• Irritability and anger
• Worrying about too many things
• Difficulty sleeping

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these anxious symptoms, don’t wait! Contact me today to get the help you need.

My name is Sarah Hart, MA, and I provide psychotherapy (also called counseling) for teens and adults from all over the Portland, Oregon area because no one should have to do this alone. If you are ready to go ahead and get started, please contact me today. To learn more about how psychotherapy can help, read on!

How will psychotherapy help treat my anxiety?

When we feel anxious about something, most of us try to avoid it. If you feel worried about going to your high school reunion, for example, you might decide to just skip it. Or, if you are nervous about going on a date with someone, you might cancel at the last minute.

These avoidance tactics are what create anxiety disorders in what mental health professionals call “the cycle of avoidance”:

People get caught in this cycle of worrying, avoiding, and feeling worse.

Over time, the feelings become reinforced, they become stronger, resulting in more powerful symptoms that are difficult to manage. This cycle creates a rut that does not change or fix the problem and, as the symptoms worsen, people find it harder and harder to escape that rut, to make changes, and that’s when the helplessness sets in.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

You can learn how to escape the cycle of avoidance, confront your fears, and let go of worry. To learn how to get help and regain a sense of peace and control, contact me today!

What does therapy for anxiety look like with Sarah Hart?

No matter how bad things might seem, you can regain a sense of control and freedom.

I believe that, with the right support, anyone can overcome life’s challenges – including you.

My sessions are entirely confidential and held in the comfort of my Portland office. I work hard to create a safe space where you can share without fear of judgment or criticism because I know how difficult it can be to ask for help.

Our first meeting is called the intake interview, during which I will ask you questions about your story to get a sense of what might be contributing to the problem. This also gives us a chance to get to know each other and answer any questions you might have before moving forward with therapy.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to treatment, which is why I use techniques from several therapeutic modalities into my practice to provide the help and healing you need. I primarily draw from Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This allows me to use a flexible, multifaceted approach to understand and address your symptoms of anxiety.

As you begin therapy, you can learn how to:

• Make sense of your unique story
• Have self-awareness and control
• Understand your thoughts and emotions
• Use self-compassion and acceptance
• Make progress towards your goals and aspirations
• Deal with thoughts of self-harm and suicide
• Think positively and be mindful
• Be active and have energy
• Cope with stress and worry
• Rediscover your sense of purpose and direction

You can learn to notice your thoughts and become aware of your inner experiences without letting them control your life. I work to boost your quality of life by bolstering inner strengths, shifting old and unhelpful patterns, and teaching useful skills that can help you achieve your goals.

You deserve a life free from the hurt and the hopelessness. You deserve a chance at wellness, a chance to pursue your goals. And I believe that, together, we can make that happen.

Interested? Let’s Work Together!

Interested in hearing more about my practice? Want to learn more about me and my story? Check out my About Me page! My hope is that you feel welcome and encouraged as you look through my site so that, when you are ready, we can begin your wellness journey.

Want to learn more about how I can help? I would love to hear from you. Click on Contact in the menu above!

In addition to therapy for anxiety, I also help teens and adults with:

• Depression
• Autism (individuals and those who love them)
• Relationship problems
• Major life transitions
• Grief and loss
• Stress management
• And much more!

Contact me today to get started!

Phone Number: 503 967 9767

Office Address: 2931 Northeast Broadway Street | Top Floor | Portland, Oregon 97212