Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

2,451 people sought anxiety therapy help at Columbia 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, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS HMO, +18 more
Behavioral Issues, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS HMO, +17 more
Stress, Sleep / Insomnia, Anxiety, Depression

Good to see you today. You must have something bothering you, and need to find the right place to go. How may I be of help?

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS HMO, +19 more
Anger, Self Esteem, Stress, Women’s Issues, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, +3 more

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS HMO, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS PPO, +17 more
Military / Veteran, LGBTQIA+, Anger, Coping Skills, Men’s Issues, +11 more

I believe sharing your deepest truth is not easy. I am honored to be both a compassionate witness and an experienced guide on your journey to wellness... I believe sharing your deepest truth is not easy. I am honored to be both a compassionate witness and an experienced guide on your journey to wellness and self discovery. Read more

Gillian McCusker

Hear from Gillian McCusker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-Certified)

View Gillian McCusker's profile

What is your go-to approach for anxiety therapy?

My general approach for treating anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I find that CBT helps people shift their perspective and not get stuck in anxiety thought spirals.

What tools do you teach in anxiety therapy?

Skills like emotional regulation, reframing thoughts, and self-care regularly are a part of anxiety therapy. I particularly enjoy teaching mindfulness tools for anxiety, as it is so beneficial to be able to calm and center yourself.

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

I know a client is making meaningful progress in anxiety therapy when they recognize their anxiety thoughts and are making different choices about how to engage with those thoughts.

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

Clients can supplement their anxiety therapy with relaxation practices like yoga, massage, playing music, or meditation.

What should someone do to prepare for starting anxiety therapy?

To prepare for your first therapy session, you can think about your goals for therapy. What are you hoping to work on, what is negatively affecting you, or what would you like to learn about? Get a notebook just for therapy; it is helpful so you can take notes for yourself and write things down to bring to your next session.

Starting Anxiety therapy

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Columbia, MD 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 Columbia 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.

Need more help deciding?

Do You Have Anxiety? A Counselor Has Solutions for You – Therapists in Columbia, MD

Though it may feel like anxiety is an embarrassing, shameful thing to go through, the reality is that many people seek counseling for anxiety. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons people get into therapy – and for good reason: it can help reduce or completely eliminate the symptoms you’re experiencing. If this sounds like something that could benefit you, reach out to Thriveworks Columbia today for help.

What Is Anxiety?

People who’ve never experienced chronic anxiety often believe that it’s just the feeling of being nervous. Those who suffer from it know that it can negatively impact a wide range of things in your life including your sleep, relationships, eating habits, and school. It can lead to feelings of powerlessness and lack of control.

What Is Causing Anxiety?

Your counselor can help you find the cause of your anxiety. There may be an obvious trauma that brought on your anxiety or perhaps it began after a relationship ended. Others may have trouble figuring out where their anxiety comes from. It can be combination of both biological and environmental factors.

Scheduling Anxiety Therapy at Thriveworks Columbia

Anxiety isn’t simple to treat. If it were, you could simply search the internet, find the treatment protocol, and treat it yourself. However, there are solutions. Your situation is unique and your treatment will be unique too. At Thriveworks Columbia, MD Counseling & Coaching in Howard County we’ll discuss your situation, your past, and your present. We’ll discuss a variety of options for treatment and you’ll be involved in finding the treatment plan.

Some possible solutions including Columbia, MD anxiety therapists and psychologists to dig deep into your past to find the cause of your trauma, re-learning how to care for yourself on a deeper level, and/or family counseling. Reach out to Thriveworks Columbia today for help. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.

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 Columbia therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Columbia
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have been in and out of therapy (with/without meds) for over 30 years. It really made me happy, something I haven't been in a while, to find people who actually listen and ask questions about your past, present, and how you're feeling. I would highly recommend Thriveworks!!
Read more I have been in and out of therapy (with/without meds) for over 30 years. It really made me happy, something I haven't been in a while, to find people who actually listen and ask questions about your past, present, and how you're feeling. I would highly recommend Thriveworks!!
Mary Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I felt a good session
Kadesha Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Columbia is located inside the The Shoppes at Wilde Lake shopping center, between Twin Rivers Road and Cross Fox Lane. Adjacent to the shopping center, you will find Vista Wilde Lake Apartments. Parking is available in front of the main entrance.

Phone number

(410) 724-1137

Languages spoken by MD providers

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

Shown in ET

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

Shown in ET

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