Anxiety Therapy
Bravery is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it, one step at a time.
Offering online therapy services in Ontario and across Canada.
Learn coping mechanisms
Therapy helps you make sense of your anxiety, uncovering triggers and patterns while teaching practical tools to manage it.
Feel more at ease
With the right support, you’ll build a sense of calm, learning how to relax your mind and body, so you can feel more present and at peace in your daily life.
Regain control of your life
Anxiety therapy gives you the confidence and strategies to stop feeling overwhelmed, helping you focus on what matters and get back to enjoying life.
“I feel trapped in my mind".”
You feel stuck in your head, constantly ruminating on thoughts, worrying, and preparing for worst-case scenarios in an effort to protect yourself—only to end up overwhelmed and distant from the people you care about. Every time you try to calm down, you get pulled into rituals that once felt helpful but are now taking over your life. It’s exhausting, isolating, and feels like you’re losing control.
At STC Therapy, we’re here to help you regain control of your thoughts and find peace of mind.
Does this sound like you?
"I'm always tired but can’t seem to relax, like my mind just won’t let me rest."
"My heart starts racing out of nowhere, and I end up sweating for no reason at all."
"My stomach feels like it's in knots, and I never know when nausea or cramps will hit."
"I can't stop worrying—it's like my brain is stuck on overdrive, and I can't focus on anything else."
"I try to focus, but my mind keeps wandering, making it hard to get anything done."
"It always feels like something bad is about to happen, even when things seem fine."
"I avoid places and people just to escape the anxiety, but it’s making my world smaller."
"Talking to people feels so hard, like I’m scared I’ll mess up or embarrass myself."
Feel calm and gain control of your thoughts.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress—it’s your body’s way of preparing to face a challenge or protect you from danger. In small doses, anxiety can even be helpful, keeping you alert and motivated. But when anxiety becomes constant, overwhelming, or out of proportion to the situation, it can interfere with daily life.
People struggling with anxiety often describe racing thoughts, a constant sense of worry, or feeling “on edge.” Physical symptoms can include muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, rapid heartbeat, stomach upset, or trouble concentrating. Anxiety can show up in different forms, such as generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or phobias.
If left untreated, anxiety can hold you back from work, school, relationships, and enjoying life fully. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable. Through therapy, you can learn practical tools to calm your mind and body, challenge anxious thoughts, and feel more grounded and in control.
Anxiety can affect both the mind and the body, and symptoms often show up in everyday life in ways that feel overwhelming or hard to control. While everyone experiences anxiety differently, common symptoms include:
Excessive worry or fear that feels hard to manage.
Racing thoughts or difficulty “shutting off” your mind.
Physical tension such as tight muscles, headaches, or jaw clenching.
Restlessness or feeling on edge, like you can’t relax.
Sleep problems, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
Stomach issues like nausea, upset stomach, or irritable bowels.
Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally “foggy.”
Avoidance behaviours, such as staying away from certain places, people, or situations out of fear.
When anxiety is frequent and persistent, it can interfere with work, school, relationships, and daily activities. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward finding support and learning strategies to feel calmer and more in control.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety doesn’t have just one cause—it usually develops from a mix of factors that influence both the mind and body. For some people, anxiety may be linked to genetics or family history, while for others it’s triggered by stressful life events, ongoing health conditions, or changes in the brain and nervous system.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
Genetics and family history – Anxiety can run in families, making some people more prone to experiencing it.
Stressful or traumatic experiences – Events such as loss, abuse, or major life changes can trigger anxiety.
Personality factors – Perfectionism, high sensitivity, or a tendency to worry can increase risk.
Health conditions or chronic pain – Physical health challenges can place added stress on the body and mind.
Imbalance in brain chemistry – Changes in how the brain processes stress and fear can fuel ongoing anxiety.
Lifestyle factors – Poor sleep, high stress, caffeine, or lack of exercise may make symptoms worse.
Triggers — Might include school or work, relationships, financial concerns, social situations, thinking about the future, or change.
Often, anxiety doesn’t come from a single source—it’s the result of several factors working together. The good news is that with therapy and support, anxiety can be managed, and you can learn tools to calm your mind, reduce worry, and take back control of your life.
How We Help
At STC Therapy, I work with teens, adults, and athletes to help ease the weight of anxiety using evidence-based, practical, and personalized strategies. Through psychotherapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness, we focus on calming racing thoughts, reducing worry, and retraining the mind and body to respond differently to stress. Because anxiety often shows up both mentally and physically, I provide tools that address the whole picture—whether it’s tension in your body, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, or constant “what if” thoughts. Our sessions are a safe and supportive space where you can feel understood and leave with strategies you can use right away. The goal is not only to reduce anxiety but to help you feel calmer, more confident, and able to live your life without anxiety taking the lead.
“Anxiety is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.”
We can help you clear your mind & reclaim your life.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
GAD involves persistent, excessive worry about everyday things, making it hard to relax or focus. People with GAD often feel restless, tense, and exhausted from constant worry. Over time, it can impact sleep, relationships, and overall well-being.
Panic Disorder
Marked by sudden and repeated panic attacks, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Panic attacks can feel overwhelming and often occur without warning.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety involves an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. It can make everyday interactions, such as meeting new people or speaking in public, feel extremely stressful and cause avoidance of social events.
Phobias
Phobias are intense fears of specific objects, situations, or experiences, such as heights, flying, or spiders. Even though the fear may feel irrational, it can lead to avoidance that impacts daily life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. These rituals can interfere with daily functioning, even though the person often knows their behaviour is irrational.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, involves excessive worry about having a serious medical condition despite little or no evidence. People with health anxiety may frequently check their symptoms causing major distress.
Positive Outcomes of Therapy for Anxiety
We are all unique individuals with unique experiences therefore everyone’s healing journey can look different.
With consistent effort and support in the therapeutic journey you can:
Reduce anxiety symptoms by developing tools to manage anxious thoughts and feelings.
Improve emotional regulation by learning how to respond calmly to overwhelming emotions.
Better stress management with practical strategies to handle everyday challenges.
Enhance problem-solving skills to approach obstacles with clarity and confidence.
Increase self-esteem and confidence as you gain control over anxious thoughts.
Improve relationships with yourself and others with healthier communication and boundaries.
Build support networks that provide connection and understanding when you need it most.
Feel more in control of your emotions and reactions, reducing feelings of helplessness.
Improve overall wellness and quality of life by integrating mental well-being into your routine.
Approaches We Use In Anxiety Therapy
We take a person-centered approach, using different interventions based on your needs with the goal of making your anxiety easier to manage while reducing symptoms over time.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. By recognizing how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviours, CBT helps you develop healthier ways to respond to stress. With the guidance of a therapist, you’ll learn practical skills to challenge anxious thoughts and shift your mindset.
ACT encourages accepting anxiety as a natural human emotion instead of fighting or avoiding it. This approach helps you let go of the struggle with anxious thoughts, focusing instead on developing coping skills and committing to meaningful actions. Through ACT, you’ll learn to live with anxiety in a way that doesn’t interfere with your goals or values.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
DBT combines cognitive and mindfulness techniques to help regulate emotions and manage anxiety effectively. It teaches acceptance and coping strategies, such as emotional regulation and distress tolerance, which are especially helpful for intense or overwhelming feelings. DBT focuses on finding balance—accepting your emotions while working towards positive change.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness involves becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment, helping you stay present rather than getting caught up in anxious thinking. Practicing mindfulness builds emotional resilience, allowing you to respond to anxiety with calm rather than reactivity. Over time, mindfulness helps reduce the intensity of anxiety and creates a sense of inner peace.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
How STC Therapy Works
GET TO KNOW US
Start by booking a free 15-minute consultation. If you feel we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your first appointment to begin your therapeutic journey.
WE GET TO KNOW YOU
We take the time to understand everything that makes you who you are—your experiences, struggles, joys, and what truly matters to you.
START YOUR HEALING JOURNEY
Together, we’ll create a personalized plan for your healing, adapting it as needed to support your growth and mental well-being.
Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.
Let’s reduce the shadow together, book an appointment with us via our contact form, direct email to info@stctherapy.com, or through our safe online booking by clicking the button below. If you have any questions please fill out the contact form or email us we are happy to help.
STC Therapy offers online therapy across Ontario specializing in mental health support for adults, teens, and children with scoliosis or spinal deformities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear. It can be a normal part of life, but persistent and excessive anxiety might indicate an anxiety disorder.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Symptoms can include restlessness, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. People might also experience a feeling of impending doom, danger, or fear. Often racing thoughts or worrying thoughts are present.
How is anxiety diagnosed?
Anxiety is diagnosed by a healthcare professional such as a Psychologist through a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a physical exam, psychological assessment, and a review of the patient's medical history.
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Common types include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Can anxiety be treated?
Yes, anxiety is treatable. Treatment options include therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), medications, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques.
What are some self-help strategies for managing anxiety?
Effective strategies include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
How does therapy help with Anxiety?
Psychotherapy helps with anxiety by identifying triggers and teaching coping strategies such as relaxation techniques and cognitive restructuring. Techniques like Exposure Therapy gradually reduce fear responses, while building emotional regulation and problem-solving skills enhances self-esteem. Therapy also provides a safe space to address underlying issues and strengthen social support networks, leading to long-term improvement in managing anxiety.