Anxiety is a natural human response of protection that can happen to anyone and be understood as a signal for us to pay attention to our internal world. For some, anxiety can reach such a distressing level that it can be overwhelming, frightening, and cause interruptions to our daily life.
Anxiety in children & adolescents
When children and adolescents experience anxiety, it can be overwhelming — not only for them but for their families. For children, it may be a challenge to understand and communicate their fears and concerns because anxiety manifests in a myriad of ways in children. It is important to remember that these behaviors serve a purpose and meet a need for an anxious child. Symptoms of anxiety in children may include:
- Big feelings: anger, frustration, or sadness
- Withdrawal
- Restlessness
- Changes in sleep and/or eating patterns
- Clinginess
- Controlling, demanding, or rigid behavior
- Heightened sensitivity
- Changes in peer and personal relationships
- Upset stomach, headaches, or other physical complaints
- Difficulties concentrating
- Changes in grades
- Self-injury
Anxiety in adults
Symptoms of anxiety in adults may include:
- Nervousness or persistent worry
- Difficulty sleeping
- Racing heart
- Dissociation or feeling disconnected from your body
- Upset stomach, headaches, or other physical ailments
- Intrusive thoughts
- Panic attacks
- Ruminating on worries or fears
- Avoidance of certain settings or activities
How therapy can help
Therapy is an opportunity for clients, children, and adults alike, to develop insight and perspective, build skills, courage and resilience, and to take risks to build tolerance, flexibility and acceptance of emotions, thoughts and identity.
Each person comes to therapy with their own experience and perspective. We take great care to partner with you and/or your child to develop an approach to treatment that meets your unique needs.
Therapy creates an opportunity for clients, in the context of a therapeutic relationship, to develop insight, take risks and shift the parts of them that may be getting in the way of the life they want. We integrate evidence-based practices into our work to help alleviate distress and build resiliency.
Why us?
Our therapists are committed to building a genuine and sincere connection with our clients and believe therapeutic work can only be done in the context of a safe therapeutic alliance. Our team has extensive training and experience in working with both children and adults who are living with anxiety. Alexandria Place Therapy is made up of clinicians with diverse clinical backgrounds and expertise to promote finding an ideal therapeutic fit for each client.
