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165,866 people sought anxiety therapy help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a anxiety can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
Medical / Health Issues, Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +8 more

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ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +17 more
LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, Stress, Women’s Issues, +6 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +18 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Stress, ADHD, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, +5 more

As a woman of color who is part of the LBGTQIA+ community, I am no stranger to complications and emotional trauma.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +19 more
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

As a woman who has treated patients in multiple specialties from all walks of life, I understand the unique yet common goal of every person to achieve... As a woman who has treated patients in multiple specialties from all walks of life, I understand the unique yet common goal of every person to achieve a life of peace, happiness, and success; and I am excited, humbled, and privileged to help clients on their journey. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +19 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, +11 more

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my priority is to help break down the stigma around mental health and create a comfortable-safe env... As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my priority is to help break down the stigma around mental health and create a comfortable-safe environment for you to share. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +18 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, +14 more

I am curious to listen to assess factors that contribute to the diagnosis, to establish priorities, discuss treatments, and provide education and opti... I am curious to listen to assess factors that contribute to the diagnosis, to establish priorities, discuss treatments, and provide education and options in a holistic manner. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +20 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Women’s Issues, ADHD, +7 more

As a person who has suffered depression, i understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issue can be and i am here to work with you to ensu... As a person who has suffered depression, i understand how debilitating and isolating mental health issue can be and i am here to work with you to ensure your needs are met. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +19 more
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
Stress, Life Transition, Relationships, Anxiety, Grief / Loss, +2 more

As a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in psychiatric and mental health care, I engage in a partnership with individuals to provide person centered c... As a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in psychiatric and mental health care, I engage in a partnership with individuals to provide person centered care. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +19 more
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +20 more
Stress, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

I am an excellent nurse practitioner who not only evaluates, diagnoses and prescribes medication but I also have the patience to answer all of your qu... I am an excellent nurse practitioner who not only evaluates, diagnoses and prescribes medication but I also have the patience to answer all of your questions, as well. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +20 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +8 more

As a therapist, it is my hope to work alongside my clients to discover practical solutions to life's problems.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
Stress, ADHD, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, Anxiety, Depression, +1 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +21 more
Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, +9 more

As a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Family Nurse Practitioner who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from George Mason Un... As a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Family Nurse Practitioner who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from George Mason University, Virginia, I understand the need to assess and treat each individual based on evidence. Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +18 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Stress, Women’s Issues, ADHD, +7 more

“Feeling better often takes more than medicine alone. My approach is holistic, collaborative, and down-to-earth while sharing my clinical experience... “Feeling better often takes more than medicine alone. My approach is holistic, collaborative, and down-to-earth while sharing my clinical experience and knowledge to guide you towards finally feeling your best.” Read more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +20 more
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, +6 more

I believe life is not without struggles and it is important that we have the necessary support and skills to help better navigate the journey.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO, CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO, +19 more
LGBTQIA+, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, +12 more

As a queer-identified woman of color, I understand the importance of mental health in underserved and minority communities.

Dee Jacobi Edwards

Hear from Dee Jacobi Edwards, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

View Dee Jacobi Edwards's profile

What is your go-to approach for anxiety therapy?

My go-to approach for treating anxiety is educating clients on the behavior of the amygdala and vagus nerve and the role they play in warning of danger. I also instruct the client on CBT and REBT techniques, relaxation breathing, imagery, and writing activities. I prefer to educate clients on the amygdala and vagus nerve roles to help them realize there is a way to control emotions, I enjoy teaching cognitive behavioral and rational emotive behavior techniques that allow the client to separate themself from the experience in order to rationalize and imagine the problem and solutions. I find the best benefit in engaging in conversational-style therapy, as it helps the client feel more at ease in sharing their difficulties, then helping them identify problems and solutions, and challenging them via homework to address what was discussed in sessions.

What tools do you teach in anxiety therapy?

I teach the following tools in anxiety therapy:

  • Empty chair: Imagining the person the client identifies as having importance in an issue in the chair across from the client, with the client either telling the other person their feelings about them, the situation involving the person, or their anger toward the person, using a pillow to hit the chair if needed.
  • Letter writing: Writing a letter to an identified person, dead or living, that has some importance in the client's concerns and using it to express the client's emotions. The client is then directed not to give it to the person, but to burn the letter, and imagine the smoke taking their words to the deceased helping them find their way into the person's thoughts.
  • Calming breathing: All done in reps of 3 — breathe in through the nose for a slow count of 4, blow it out the mouth gently to the slow count of 6 or 8; take a deep breath and hold for as long as they safely can, then exhale.
  • Guided imagery: 3 slow breaths to start and end, closing the eyes and continuing slow breathing as I describe either a light scanning activity or a walking/word descriptive activity.
  • Thought stopping/thought challenging: I instruct the client to tell themselves “STOP!” immediately when they're having anxious thoughts, then to try to solve a multi-digit math problem, do an exercise or activity, or schedule the thoughts for an hour on a certain day at a certain time. Then, they should keep the thought from invading afterward.
  • How the mind affects the emotions that influence body language or verbal language that occurs based on the roles of the amygdala, hormones, memory center, placement of the amygdala in relation to the eyes (visual effect), frontal and pre-frontal executive functioning, and more brain functions, even including research showing how actual neurons have been identified in study participants stomach linings.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in anxiety therapy?

I know a client is making progress in anxiety therapy when they start the session telling me they did the homework activity and were surprised how much better they felt afterward! I know a client is making progress in anxiety therapy when they can maintain a level of calm, starting with short periods of time, while discussing the issues that are anxiety triggers for them.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement anxiety therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in anxiety therapy with handouts I send to them after intake, engaging in exercise, other activities discussed in sessions, or reading suggested books or books they found independently on the topic discussed.

What should someone do to prepare for starting anxiety therapy?

To prepare for your first anxiety therapy session, you can write down what you feel, when you feel it, how long it lasts, and how you address it. This way, you can let me know what you are bothered by, what happened before and after, and how you dealt with it.

Starting Anxiety therapy

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Alexandria, VA can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day anxiety or your anxiety disorder.

How does anxiety therapy work?

Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Alexandria therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.

How to deal with anxiety?

One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.

Symptoms of anxiety

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

  • Sense of impending danger
  • Nervousness/restlessness
  • Trouble focusing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shaking
  • Headaches
  • Stomach issues
  • Fatigue
  • Panic attacks
  • Increased heart rate

What is the best therapy for anxiety?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be incredibly effective in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. Other effective techniques include exposure therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR therapy.

Is anxiety therapy conducted in person or online?

Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.

How long does anxiety therapy last?

On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.

Is therapy worth it for anxiety?

Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off of Franconia Rd., just behind Oak Tree Plaza. We share a building with MRM Associates. Right next door to us is a MakeSpace, and the closest bus stop is at Franconia Rd. & Beulah St.

Phone number

(703) 454-8246

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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