Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that involve intense feelings of fear or worry. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to complete daily tasks because their worries can feel overwhelming. Feelings like restlessness, tension, and fear can make it hard to focus. It's important to understand these disorders so that individuals can improve their mental health and overall quality of life. Seeking help and building skills can lead to coping better with anxiety. At ActiveMind Counseling in Evanston, we can help you improve your relationship with anxiety so you can lead a more fulfilling life.
Types of Anxiety and Panic Disorders
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and social interactions. Unlike occasional anxiety, which is a normal reaction to stress, those with GAD find it challenging to control their anxious thoughts, often feeling restless, easily fatigued, or irritable. Physical symptoms may also include muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. GAD can impact daily functioning, but with the right support and strategies, individuals can learn to manage their anxiety and lead fulfilling lives.
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Panic Disorder is a condition characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. These attacks can include physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and overwhelming feelings of impending doom. Individuals with Panic Disorder often develop a fear of experiencing additional panic attacks, leading to avoidance behaviors that can restrict daily activities and impact quality of life. At ActiveMind Counseling, we aim to help you understand and manage these feelings through practical strategies and supportive skill-building experiences.
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Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a common mental health condition characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one may be judged or scrutinized. Individuals with SAD often experience overwhelming anxiety, leading to avoidance of social interactions, performances, or settings where they feel exposed. Symptoms can include excessive worry about embarrassment, physical manifestations like sweating or trembling, and difficulty engaging in everyday activities. At ActiveMind Counseling, we understand the challenges SAD presents and offer supportive strategies to empower you in navigating and overcoming these feelings, helping you build confidence in social settings.
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Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from loved ones or primary caregivers. This condition can manifest through symptoms such as persistent worry about losing someone close, nightmares about separation, and physical complaints when separation occurs or is anticipated. While it is commonly seen in children, it can also affect adults. The anxiety can significantly interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding and addressing these feelings can help individuals develop coping strategies to manage their anxiety and lead a more fulfilling life.
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Illness Anxiety Disorder, previously known as hypochondriasis, is characterized by an intense preoccupation with having or developing a serious illness, despite having little to no medical evidence to support this fear. Individuals with this disorder often experience excessive worry about their health, leading to frequent medical consultations, unnecessary testing, and significant distress. It's important to understand that this condition is rooted in anxiety rather than actual physical illness, and effective treatment can help manage these concerns, allowing individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Anxiety Treatment Options Available at ActiveMind Counseling
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach for overcoming anxiety and panic disorders that many individuals face. This transformative therapy empowers you to deeply explore the intricate connections between your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors in a meaningful way. By identifying and actively challenging unhelpful thoughts that may be holding you back, you can pave the way toward cultivating a more positive mindset and achieving an improved mood overall, leading to a greater sense of well-being in your daily life.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a powerful way to address anxiety and panic disorders by transforming how we interact with these feelings. Through cultivating mindfulness and present-moment awareness, individuals learn to recognize their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This allows for the development of values-driven choices, empowering clients to pursue a more meaningful and satisfying life despite the presence of anxiety. By focusing on acceptance rather than avoidance, ACT helps individuals manage their symptoms and move forward with greater fulfillment.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an effective approach for managing anxiety and panic disorders as it combines mindfulness techniques with behavioral strategies. By focusing on acceptance and change, DBT helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing them to navigate their anxiety in a healthier way. The skills learned in DBT, such as distress tolerance and emotion regulation, equip clients with practical tools to reduce panic symptoms and cultivate resilience. Through active participation and skill-building, individuals gain confidence in managing their anxiety, ultimately leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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Radically-Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT)
RO-DBT (Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is an effective therapeutic approach specifically designed to treat various anxiety disorders by focusing on emotional expression, social connection, and flexibility. Unlike traditional therapies that emphasize the control of emotions, RO-DBT encourages clients to embrace their feelings while learning to adapt their responses to life's challenges. This unique, skill-building experience will empower you to effectively manage anxiety, enhance relationships, and improve overall well-being.
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Exposure and Response Preventions (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) also known a “Exposure Therapy” is an effective treatment for anxiety and panic disorders that involves gradually facing fears through various types of exposures. Imaginal exposure allows individuals to mentally confront their fears by imagining the feared situation, while in-vivo exposure involves real-life encounters with anxiety-provoking scenarios. Interoceptive exposure focuses on the physical sensations associated with anxiety, helping clients learn to tolerate and reduce their anxiety symptoms. Our unique hands-on approach ensures that clients not only learn coping strategies but also actively apply them in real-life situations, fostering lasting change and personal growth.
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Mindfulness and Somatic Therapies
Somatic and mindfulness-based therapies are powerful approaches for treating anxiety and panic disorders by focusing on the connection between mind and body. These therapies help individuals identify and release stored tension and emotions, fostering a sense of safety and grounding in the present moment. Through practices such as breathwork, body awareness exercises, and mindfulness meditation, clients learn to manage their anxiety and cultivate resilience.
Do I Have Anxiety?
The GAD-7 Assessment below is a great self-report tool to check to see if you may have an anxiety disorder. Directions: Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
GAD-7 Anxiety Assessment
How to interpret results:
0–4: minimal anxiety
5–9: mild anxiety
10–14: moderate anxiety
15–21: severe anxiety
Example Treatment Plan Cost Estimate*:
Private Pay Rate:
$165/Individual session
$40/Group session
15 sessions x 165 = $2475
Pay Upfront Bulk Price: $2000
*Note: This example is provided for informational purposes. Each treatment plan is customized to your unique needs. Treatment time and session content may vary. Cost will vary depending on insurance coverage and client needs. We will make reasonable effort to notify you if anticipated costs will be more than the estimated cost.
Example Treatment Plan for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Exposure Therapy (ERP)
Duration: 15 Sessions
Phase 1: Psychoeducation & Foundations (Sessions 1-3)
Session 1: Assessment & Treatment Planning
Conduct diagnostic assessment (GAD-7, interview)
Identify client’s anxiety triggers and thought patterns
Introduce CBT and ACT principles
Set treatment goals and expectations
Session 2: Understanding Anxiety & Cognitive Model
Explain the cycle of worry (thoughts → emotions → behaviors)
Identify common cognitive distortions in GAD (e.g., catastrophizing, intolerance of uncertainty)
Introduce worry awareness and self-monitoring (worry log)
Session 3: Experiential Avoidance & ACT Model of Anxiety
Discuss how avoidance and control strategies maintain anxiety
Introduce ACT concepts: acceptance, defusion, values
Teach mindfulness of thoughts and emotions
Phase 2: Cognitive & Behavioral Interventions (Sessions 4-9)
Session 4: Cognitive Restructuring (Part 1)
Teach thought identification (thought records)
Differentiate helpful vs. unhelpful thoughts
Introduce Socratic questioning and alternative thinking
Session 5: Cognitive Restructuring (Part 2)
Practice restructuring anxious thoughts using real-life examples
Introduce "What’s the worst that can happen?" and "What’s the best outcome?"
Reinforce cognitive flexibility
Session 6: Behavioral Experiments & Exposure Planning
Introduce the concept of exposure as a way to test anxious predictions
Develop a fear hierarchy for real-life situations
Assign small behavioral experiments
Session 7: Exposure Therapy (Part 1 - Imaginal & In-Vivo Exposure)
Conduct imaginal exposure for difficult worries
Assign real-life exposure tasks (gradual exposure to feared situations)
Reinforce distress tolerance
Session 8: Exposure Therapy (Part 2 - Deepening Exposure & Defusion)
Conduct exposure exercises in session
Introduce ACT defusion techniques (e.g., “Leaves on a Stream”)
Reinforce mindful acceptance of discomfort
Session 9: Managing Uncertainty & Tolerating Discomfort
Address intolerance of uncertainty (IUS)
Practice willingness to experience discomfort (ACT willingness exercises)
Introduce "Acceptance vs. Problem-Solving" decision-making
Phase 3: Emotional & Behavioral Flexibility (Sessions 10-12)
Session 10: Values-Based Living & Committed Action
Identify personal values (ACT values exercise)
Link anxiety reduction to meaningful goals
Assign small values-based actions
Session 11: Self-Compassion & Responding to Setbacks
Introduce self-compassion techniques for worry and avoidance
Teach “fail forward” mindset and flexible problem-solving
Address relapse prevention for setbacks
Session 12: Strengthening Mindfulness & Present-Moment Awareness
Deepen mindfulness practice (mindful breathing, mindful movement)
Practice staying present with anxious thoughts and feelings
Assign mindful daily activities
Phase 4: Relapse Prevention & Future Planning (Sessions 13-15)
Session 13: Reviewing Progress & Skills Consolidation
Reflect on progress in worry reduction and behavioral flexibility
Review most effective tools for the client
Identify lingering challenges and reinforce coping strategies
Session 14: Creating a Long-Term Anxiety Management Plan
Develop a personalized relapse prevention plan
Identify warning signs and proactive coping strategies
Review self-monitoring techniques for the future
Session 15: Graduation & Future Growth
Reflect on journey and achievements
Encourage continued values-based action and mindfulness practice
Celebrate progress and reinforce confidence in managing anxiety
