Anxiety & Panic Disorder Treatment

Reclaim your calm and control through effective therapy

Anxiety can manifest as persistent worry, social fears, panic attacks, or specific phobias that interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life. These feelings can be overwhelming, making it difficult to engage fully in work, relationships, and activities you once enjoyed.

At Deborah Mestas, I offer effective, compassionate approaches to help you understand and manage anxiety, develop coping strategies, and reclaim your sense of calm and control.

Types of Anxiety I Treat

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive worry about various things that feels difficult to control.

Panic Disorder

Recurring panic attacks and fear of future attacks, often leading to avoidance behaviors.

Social Anxiety

Intense fear of social situations and being judged or scrutinized by others.

Health Anxiety

Excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness despite medical reassurance.

I also work with individuals experiencing anxiety related to specific life circumstances, such as work stress, relationship challenges, major life transitions, or past traumatic experiences.

Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Treatment

Mental/Emotional Signs

  • Excessive worry that's difficult to control
  • Racing thoughts or mind going blank
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability or restlessness
  • Feeling on edge or keyed up
  • Fear of losing control or "going crazy"

Physical Signs

  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Shortness of breath or feeling smothered
  • Muscle tension or pain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Trembling, sweating, or hot flashes
  • Digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea)

Behavioral Signs

  • Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
  • Seeking excessive reassurance
  • Procrastination or difficulty making decisions
  • Using substances to manage anxiety
  • Withdrawing from social activities
  • Compulsive behaviors to reduce anxiety

If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, relationships, work, or overall well-being, therapy can help. You don't need to be experiencing a crisis to benefit from anxiety treatment. Addressing the problem sooner rather than later leads to better outcomes.

My Approach to Anxiety Treatment

I take an integrative approach to anxiety treatment, drawing from therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and exposure techniques. My approach is tailored to your specific needs and may include:

Cognitive Restructuring

Identifying and challenging anxious thought patterns and developing more balanced perspectives.

Somatic Awareness & Regulation

Learning to recognize physical symptoms of anxiety and developing techniques to calm your nervous system.

Exposure Therapy

Gradually and safely facing feared situations to reduce avoidance and build confidence.

Mindfulness Practices

Developing present-moment awareness to reduce worry about the future and rumination about the past.

Root Cause Exploration

Understanding how past experiences, relationship patterns, or unresolved issues may be influencing your anxiety.

Lifestyle and Self-Care Planning

Developing practical strategies for sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management to support your mental health.

Throughout our work together, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your anxiety without fear of criticism. My goal is to help you not only manage anxiety symptoms but also develop a deeper understanding of yourself and build lasting resilience.

What to Expect in Anxiety Treatment

1

Assessment

We'll begin with a thorough assessment to understand your specific anxiety symptoms, triggers, and goals for therapy. This helps me develop a treatment approach tailored to your needs.

2

Skill Building

Early sessions often focus on developing immediate coping strategies to help manage anxiety symptoms and improve functioning.

3

Gradual Exposure

As you build skills, we'll work on gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled, supportive way to reduce avoidance and build confidence.

4

Integration and Prevention

Later sessions focus on integrating new skills into your daily life, addressing underlying issues, and developing strategies to prevent future anxiety problems.

The length of therapy varies depending on your specific situation and goals and is different for every client. Some clients benefit from short-term therapy focused on specific anxiety symptoms, while others find value in longer-term work addressing deeper patterns. We'll regularly review your progress and adjust our approach as needed.

Begin Your Journey Toward Freedom from Anxiety

Living with anxiety can be exhausting, but effective help is available. With the right support and tools, you can learn to manage anxiety and reclaim a sense of calm, confidence, and joy in your life.

Schedule an Appointment

Or call (708) 945-1928  to speak with me directly.