Anxiety therapy illustration

Anxiety Therapists in Canada

Anxiety affects how you think, feel, and move through everyday life. Therapy can help you understand what is driving it, reduce its hold, and build practical tools that work in real situations.

What to look for in an Anxiety therapist on Purple Lotus

  • Experience treating anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety)
  • Use of evidence-based approaches like CBT or exposure therapy
  • Ability to teach practical coping strategies you can use daily
  • A calm, structured approach that helps you feel grounded

71 therapists for Anxiety in Canada

Browse 71 therapists specializing in Anxiety. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

Wrenna Prest

Wrenna Prest

Hello and Welcome! My name is Wrenna! I genuinely enjoy getting to know people and believe that human connection can be a powerful foundation for healing and growth, one that is unique to each person. Starting therapy with someone new can be a daunting yet impactful journey. I work to create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where you feel heard and supported. I pull from evidence-based approaches to deepen self-understanding and enhance navigation through life’s challenges. Therapy is a collaborative process designed for YOU, so our time together will be guided by your context, your needs, your direction, and at your own pace. If you feel we may be a good fit, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to meeting with you!

Online
View profile
Ramona Saeedi

Ramona Saeedi

If you landed on this page, you took the first step. As humans we have the capacity to adapt and discover more meaning & joy in life as we face and overcome obstacles in life. To me, happiness is the process of solving problems and developing more adaptive ways of being. I am excited to help you overcome challenges and achieve your wellness goals. Hi, my name is Ramona and welcome to my page! As a therapist, I take you seriously. Not just what you say, but what you’re bringing with you. My clients often tell me they feel genuinely understood, because I notice the weight you’re carrying, the patterns you’ve been sitting with, and the parts of your story that actually matter. I’m curious about who you are in the context of everything that shaped you: your culture, your relationships, your upbringing. I connect those threads with what’s happening with you now. I see individuals and couples across a wide range of experiences: mood disorders like depression and anxiety, identity work, ADHD, grief, and trauma. I’m equally comfortable supporting someone navigating a single difficult season or working through patterns that have persisted for years. I have particular experience with adolescents and young adults, as well as adults in midlife transitions. Whether you’re coming in with a specific crisis or just a sense that something needs to shift, I meet you where you are. Over my 10+ years as a therapist, I’ve developed an integrative approach. I draw on CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused therapy, Narrative therapy, and EFT for couples. For trauma, I use EMDR, inner child work, and attachment-based approaches. I trained in nervous system work and trauma-informed yoga in Indonesia. I understand how trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. More than the techniques, what ties them together is that I believe you already have the answers within you. My job is to create the conditions where those answers surface. Real trust and empathy. The safety to explore. The space to discover what change actually looks like for you. I’m a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and specialize in relational therapy. I work from a multicultural, anti-oppressive perspective, which means I’m attuned to the systems and contexts that shape your experience. With me, you get access to therapy from the comfort of your space!

Hybrid
View profile
Daniel Kirzner-Priest

Daniel Kirzner-Priest

Do you have a story you feel you need to share with someone? Maybe it’s your first time opening up, or maybe you tried before, but just never quite felt heard. If there’s something inside of you that needs telling, I’m here to hear you out. I often work with clients who suffer from depression, trauma, anxiety and relationship issues. I can also be particularly helpful to clients who’ve felt they haven’t gone deep enough in therapy, who tend towards dissociation or intellectualization, or who find themselves between cultures—immigrants, children of immigrants, people from interfaith families, and "third culture kids." I practice psychodynamic psychotherapy, which is based on the premise that the more we understand about ourselves, the more freedom we have to make new choices. If you’ve ever felt stuck without knowing exactly why, or even if you understand why but can’t quite seem to change things, psychodynamic psychotherapy can be immensely helpful. Life can be deeply painful, but it can also be joyous. I aim to be witness to all of you without judgment, so that you can come to know yourself more fully, and therefore have all the more freedom to choose not only how to respond to what life throws at you, but also what life it is you want to live.

Hybrid
View profile
Natalie McMullen

Natalie McMullen

Top Specialities: trauma, anxiety, attachment issues I believe our life events shape us into who we are today. We weren’t BORN with an inner critic, perfectionism, or people-pleasing tendencies! Something happened in our lives that taught us those behaviours. Maybe we learned that it’s less painful to avoid confrontation than to risk rejection or failure. Maybe we learned that to ensure safety, we must be hypervigilant, constantly looking out for threats. Those behaviours likely helped you survive at one time, but now, they might be causing chronic anxiety, difficulties in your relationships, and low self-esteem. I will help you understand your emotions and unlearn beliefs and coping behaviours that are no longer serving you. We’ll learn how your past and present experiences are contributing to the issues you want to let go of, and carve a path forward. Therapy can help you process your experiences and develop coping skills to manage your reactions and emotions. I have experience helping with anxiety/stress/burnout, trauma, relationship/attachment issues, self-esteem, depression, emotion regulation, and borderline personality disorder. I’m especially passionate about treating developmental/attachment trauma to improve self-esteem, foster safety and security, and move towards secure attachment patterns. My Approach/Style As a therapist, I have a friendly, authentic, and warm demeanour. I believe a strong connection with your therapist is of crucial importance, so I take extra care to ensure I’m understanding your needs and perspective. (This doesn’t mean I’ll never challenge you!). I’m also happy to share appropriate information about my own life if helpful and relevant. I believe everyone has inner wisdom and resilience. I respect your autonomy, so I will always support you in coming to your own conclusions and finding your own solutions. But I also don’t shy away from sharing different insights and perspectives, or giving guidance and advice if needed. Types of Therapy After spending some time getting to know you, I’ll apply the therapy techniques that best suit your concerns. I use techniques informed by schema therapy, inner child work, IFS, ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, mindfulness, and attachment theory. I am also trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, which is an evidence-based and WHO-recommended treatment for trauma and PTSD. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out for a free consultation! *Please note, I am located in Toronto, and my working hours are as follows: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am-7pm Eastern Time Thursday: 1pm-7pm Eastern time Friday: 10am-5pm Eastern Time

Online
View profile
Jan Krynicki

Jan Krynicki

Hey there, I'm Jan! I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and unbiased space for therapy and counseling in an easy-going, relatable way. I have done my BSc in Psychology at the VU Amsterdam and finished my MSc in Clinical Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I have worked as a therapist/counselor in Cape Town, South Africa which exposed me to working with diverse groups of people. I have finished my Master's thesis on mindfulness practice and its effects on students in regards to burnout and fatigue. However, I am also trained in motivational interviewing, ACT, and CBT with a constant drive to keep learning. I believe that having a great therapeutic relationship is really important for a good outcome in therapy. I aim to be the therapist that doesn’t recite word for word what they learned in university textbooks but one that integrates therapeutic techniques into tailored sessions all while making it feel natural and comfortable for the client. The first intake session is always free! Ask me about my student rate!

Hybrid
View profile
Yaroslav Grechkin

Yaroslav Grechkin

Hi there and welcome! I’m Yaroslav (or Y for short), a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the CRPO. Life can feel incredibly heavy when you're carrying the belief that you're somehow not good enough. You may find yourself constantly second-guessing your decisions, comparing yourself to others, struggling with self-criticism, or feeling overwhelmed by shame. Perhaps you've spent years trying to be what everyone else needs you to be, while quietly wondering why you still don't feel worthy, confident, or at peace. You are not alone. Many of the struggles we experience—whether it's self-doubt, shame, relationship conflict, or feeling disconnected from those we love—are deeply human responses to difficult life experiences, unmet emotional needs, and the challenges that come with navigating relationships, family life, and personal growth. These struggles do not mean there is something wrong with you. They often reflect the ways you've learned to cope, survive, and make sense of your experiences. As a therapist, I bring not only professional training but also a deep understanding of what it means to navigate life's challenges, uncertainty, and the ongoing work of self-discovery and growth. Like many people, I have experienced moments of self-doubt, vulnerability, and the complexities that come with balancing relationships, responsibilities, and personal well-being. These experiences have strengthened my belief that healing happens not through perfection, but through self-compassion, connection, and the courage to face our struggles with curiosity rather than judgment. I help individuals, youth, and couples create lasting change by addressing the deeper emotional patterns that drive distress and disconnection. I offer in-person therapy in Hawkesbury and virtual therapy across Ontario, providing a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. My work with individuals and youth focuses on overcoming feelings of inadequacy, shame, self-criticism, anxiety, and emotional pain through the evidence-based approaches of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Together, we explore the origins of painful beliefs such as "I'm not good enough," understand the emotions beneath the struggle, and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself. As therapy progresses, many clients begin to experience greater self-acceptance, emotional resilience, confidence, and freedom from the patterns that have kept them stuck. For couples, I specialize in helping partners navigate parenting challenges, communication difficulties, recurring conflicts, and emotional disconnection. Parenting can place enormous pressure on even the strongest relationships, often leaving couples feeling more like teammates managing responsibilities than partners deeply connected to one another. Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we identify the negative cycles that create distance and frustration, helping both partners better understand their own needs and each other's experiences. Through this process, couples often strengthen their emotional bond, improve communication, rebuild trust, and rediscover a sense of connection and partnership. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that every person has the capacity for growth and healing when they feel emotionally safe, understood, and supported. Therapy is not about fixing you—because you are not broken. It is about helping you better understand yourself, heal old wounds, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and the people who matter most. Whether you're struggling with shame, low self-worth, anxiety, relationship challenges, or the demands of parenting, you don't have to navigate it alone. Meaningful change is possible, and support is available. If you're ready to take the next step toward greater self-compassion, confidence, and connection, I invite you to reach out. Contact me today to book a consultation and discover how therapy can help you create the lasting changes you're looking for.

Online
View profile
Francois Perron

Francois Perron

Welcome, I'm passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and cultivate a deeper sense of well-being. Change is daunting when you are alone at the start of a journey. My approach is rooted in creating a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your inner strengths, overcome obstacles, and foster lasting change. Having a someone working with you as you go through change can make it a lot more manageable. My therapeutic style is best described as empathetic, genuine, safe and collaborative. I am trained to help you overcome your current challenges and emerge more resilient. Working together, we will develop strategies for you to meet your own personal goals. You are more than a label or a set of symptoms. You are unique and my approach is developed to be adjusted based on your personal needs. My practice draws from various therapeutic approaches. I guide clients in embracing their emotions, clarifying their core values, and taking meaningful steps toward a life rich in purpose and fulfillment. I also help individuals and couples develop secure emotional bonds, strengthen their relationships, and nurture healthier ways of connecting with themselves and others. Whether you're seeking support for trauma, anxiety, relationship struggles, or personal growth, I tailor my therapeutic approach to meet your unique needs. Together, we'll embark on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and empowerment. Your mental health matters—let's take the first step toward a brighter and more fulfilling future I used to work as an C-suite executive in the corporate world and have decided to orient my future to helping others on their journey.

Hybrid
View profile
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or struggling to balance different parts of yourself? Maybe you’ve felt misunderstood or like your needs aren’t being fully seen. You might also be dealing with relationship challenges or difficult emotions. Trying to meet the expectations of family, society, culture, work, and your own inner standards can add extra pressure. Holding multiple identities can make this even more complex. As a queer woman of colour, I can relate to how challenging this can be. I’m passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ and racialized individuals, as well as folks from all walks of life. Together, we’ll work to create a space where you can feel heard and supported as you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re seeking understanding, practical tools, or a safe space to process difficult emotions, we’ll go at your pace to find what feels most helpful for you. Life can be tough, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If this resonates with you, let's connect for a free 15-minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit.

Online
View profile
Emily Hiram

Emily Hiram

I offer therapy for adults who feel stuck in patterns with food, their bodies, or their relationships with themselves. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, yet still find themselves caught in cycles of emotional eating, body dissatisfaction, or feeling like they’re “never quite enough.” You might understand the why of your struggles, but still feel pulled back into the same patterns—and that can be frustrating and exhausting. My approach to therapy goes beyond surface-level strategies. Together, we’ll take the time to understand the underlying patterns that are shaping your experience—often rooted in earlier relationships, life transitions, or ways you’ve learned to cope. I draw from a relational, psychodynamic lens as well as Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps us gently explore the different “parts” of you—like the part that criticizes, the part that copes through food, or the part that feels overwhelmed. I work from a weight-inclusive, non-diet perspective, meaning we won’t focus on changing your body. Instead, we’ll work toward building a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food, your body, and yourself. I also support clients navigating major life transitions, including the shift into motherhood. Returning to work, changes in identity, and the emotional complexity of this stage can bring up feelings that are hard to make sense of alone. Therapy with me is collaborative and paced in a way that feels manageable. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin—we’ll make sense of things together.

Hybrid
View profile
Lia Marks

Lia Marks

Lia is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist who supports individuals facing anxiety/depression, life transitions, parenting challenges, trauma and attachment difficulties. Whether you’re having trouble managing stress, understanding your emotions and behaviours, or want to develop coping skills, it is helpful to have a sounding board to support you. She provides a non-judgemental space to explore how your past experiences have influenced your current ways of coping. Through this process, she can assist you in developing new strategies to manage complex thoughts and feelings. Lia works from a trauma-informed, collaborative perspective to help you make the changes you want to make in your life

View profile
Nathan Walton

Nathan Walton

I am currently completing my clinical residency at Yorkville University via True Self Counselling. I practice under supervision of a highly experienced therapist, and am scheduled to graduate in May 2026. I specialize in working with people who feel wired differently - highly sensitive, gifted, neurodiverse, or twice/thrice exceptional. You may see the world in ways others can’t, yet find yourself overwhelmed by sensory overload in a world that’s too loud. Therapy can help you honour your unique wiring, manage challenges, and create a life that truly fits.

View profile
Melanie Brooks

Melanie Brooks

I provide individual therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and life transitions. Those who have difficulty managing stress, understanding their emotions and behaviours, may find it helpful to work through challenges and develop coping skills to navigate life experiences during therapy sessions. My approach to therapy offers a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe space working alongside children, adolescents, and families to establish goals and a plan to achieve them in hopes of creating meaningful and sustainable change!

Online
View profile
Amelia Jones

Amelia Jones

Do you struggle with anxiety, people pleasing or feelings of overwhelm? Do you have a difficult relationship with your parents or get easily triggered? Maybe you have ADHD (or think you do) and feel like you can't do life "right"? If you experience any of these, I can help! You likely need to uncover unhelpful patterns, heal the past wounds holding you back, and develop actionable tools to help you return to a more grounded, regulated state. I'll help you process AND keep you accountable (warmly and compassionately of course). I'm trained in both Talk and Art Therapy. You can try both or choose whatever one feels best for you. Why try art therapy? Because sometimes our thoughts and feelings are hard to express with words alone. Creativity can provide another avenue of expression to dig in deeper. Heads up: No art skills are needed and we'll still use talk therapy approaches too! My style is warm, curious and collaborative. That involves both listening AND supporting you shift out of patterns no longer serving you. Together, we'll build on sessions over time with intention and direction. Let's get you thriving, not just surviving! To book a free consult, email or visit my site for the online booking link.

Online
View profile
Marc-Anthony Racco

Marc-Anthony Racco

Are you struggling to maintain relationships? Maybe you feel disconnected, unable to get through the day without negative thought patterns. As a psychotherapist, I work with both teens and adults, specializing in relational and childhood trauma. However, I also work with individuals who have faced various life challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and attachment difficulties. Holding a queer identity and a crisis counselling background, my therapeutic space is highlighted in inclusivity, incorporating anti-oppressive and strength-based frameworks to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to express your thoughts freely. My sessions often take a client-centred approach, building a collaborative process of unlearning damaging self-beliefs, practicing healthy coping skills, and reclaiming your life through newly formed self-awareness. This is your journey, and I will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan specific to your unique needs and goals. I view trauma as a relational experience. Not only is it often experienced in relationships with others, but it is also a new development of healthy relationships that can assist in healing.

Online
View profile
Chinwendum Onyeocha

Chinwendum Onyeocha

I help clients explore why their mind functions the way it does, especially when they feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, ADHD-related difficulties, or emotional overwhelm. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity, helping clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours while developing practical tools for change. When working with me, clients can expect a safe, non-judgmental space where we move at a pace that feels supportive. Together, we will work toward greater clarity, emotional awareness, self-compassion, and confidence in how you navigate your life.

Online
View profile
Sally Ibrahim

Sally Ibrahim

If you’re finding it hard to connect with others, feeling stuck in painful relationship patterns, or overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or sadness, you’re not alone. Many of the struggles we face are not flaws or signs of failure. They are often adaptations to past experiences where emotional needs, like being comforted, feeling safe, accepted, or truly heard, weren’t fully met. I work with adults navigating relationship challenges, low mood, overthinking, uncertainty about themselves, or difficulties with focus and restlessness. These experiences can be influenced by many factors, such as ADHD, burnout, identity-related stress, or difficult past experiences. You might notice patterns like shutting down, feeling easily overwhelmed, or being misunderstood in your closest relationships. These are often protective responses that once helped you cope, but are now getting in the way of the life and relationships you want. My approach is grounded in a trauma-informed lens and an understanding that mental health is shaped by many layers—our biology, environment, culture, and early relationships. I also pay close attention to how the nervous system responds to stress and safety, helping you make sense of your emotional reactions with more compassion and less shame. Clients often share that they feel relieved when their struggles finally start to make sense. I walk alongside you with warmth and respect as we explore your experiences with curiosity, not judgment. My hope is to help you reconnect with parts of yourself that feel lost, hurt, or misunderstood. Together, we’ll build healthier emotional responses, uncover strengths buried beneath survival patterns, and move toward a life and relationships that feel more secure, fulfilling, and aligned with who you are.

Hybrid
View profile
Kyla Lipsman

Kyla Lipsman

Taking the first step toward therapy can be challenging and overwhelming. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where you can feel comfortable sharing any challenges you may be facing. Whether its anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or managing school and career stress – we can work together to empower you to modify those thoughts and behaviours that are no longer serving you. I work from a strengths-based perspective, guided by cognitive behavioural, attachment based and mindfulness based therapeutic approaches. I also offer couples therapy for partners who want to strengthen their connection, improve communication, and navigate challenges with greater understanding and care.

View profile
Kinza Jat

Kinza Jat

Have you ever felt caught between who you are and who others expect you to be? Perhaps you’re navigating cultural pressures, identity-related challenges, or a lingering sense of never fully belonging. As a second-generation Canadian raised by immigrant parents, I understand how isolating it can feel to exist between different worlds and expectations. Drawing from my lived experiences with marginalized identities, I strive to create a warm and inviting space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself on your own terms. I am currently a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology. In my practicum, I provide queer-affirming, pay-what-you-can psychotherapy to individuals aged 14 and older, while welcoming clients of all identities, orientations, and backgrounds. My work is client-centered and trauma-informed, aimed at fostering deeper understanding by revealing unconscious patterns, emotions, and experiences that may be shaping your current challenges. Together, we move at a pace that feels grounded for you, co-creating a treatment plan that reflects your needs, intentions, and goals. Much like a flower that blooms when given the right conditions, I believe meaningful growth unfolds when we are supported in the ways we need most. My goal is to help cultivate those conditions, tailoring our work together to support your growth in a way that feels authentic to you. If this resonates, I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation. Book Here.

Online
View profile
Lisa Vanderpas

Lisa Vanderpas

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, specializing in nervous system regulation and the mind-body connection. My work focuses on understanding how chronic stress, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, trauma, and chronic pain can impact both psychological and physiological wellbeing. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities including CBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and person-centered therapy to support emotional awareness, resilience, and lasting personal growth. I am passionate about psychoeducation and helping individuals better understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and nervous system responses. I strive to create a grounded, compassionate, and collaborative therapeutic environment where healing, self-understanding, and meaningful change can take place.

View profile
Roberta McClelland

Roberta McClelland

You are thinking about facing an issue that you are carrying (big or small), and changing things for the better. I'd like to be a part of that change. I'm Roberta McClelland. I'm a registered social worker with over 10 years of experience in the field. I work with female teens, post-secondary students, and adults who are coping with grief, caregiver fatigue, major and minor life transitions, relational stress, depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, trauma, and abuse via in-person, virtual, and phone appointments I will create a safe, collaborative space for you that is focused on your strengths, that respects your needs and your voice, and that will flex with you as you move through your change journey. And I will support you in this journey by using a variety of treatment techniques based on what fits best and feels best for you. As a counsellor I'm committed to providing a non-judgmental place where you can bring what is heavy, look at what hurts, say what you need to say, and plan for a better tomorrow. If this sounds like a good fit for what you're looking for right now, please get in touch and consider meeting with with me for a free 15 minute consult to see if we're a good match Call or Email Roberta McClelland now for a free 15 minute consultation - (226) 242-3641 Let's Connect(226) 242-3641

Hybrid
View profile

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety isn't always loud or visible. It can feel like a steady undercurrent in your day, a mind that won't quite switch off, a body that stays on edge even when nothing is happening. You might overthink small decisions, replay conversations, or feel a constant sense of urgency without a clear reason. Over time, this can affect sleep, focus, relationships, and how present you feel in your own life. If you're looking for help with anxiety or exploring therapy, it often begins with recognizing how much of your energy is going into managing these patterns.

Working with a therapist can help you understand what's driving your anxiety and give you tools to manage it. Some people come to therapy with a specific diagnosis like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder. Others simply know that worry and tension are getting in the way, even if they've never had a formal assessment. Both are valid starting points.

Therapy for anxiety often involves identifying what triggers your anxious patterns, building practical regulation skills, and gradually reducing the avoidance behaviors that keep anxiety going. The pace and approach depend on the therapist and what is most relevant to your situation.

Who this approach may help

Persistent worry across many areas

People who find themselves anxious about work, health, relationships, or finances all at once, often feeling unable to turn off the worry even when circumstances are stable.

Social anxiety and fear of judgment

People who feel intense self-consciousness in social situations, avoid speaking up, or spend significant time after interactions replaying what was said.

Panic attacks or physical anxiety symptoms

People who experience sudden surges of intense fear accompanied by physical sensations like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a feeling of unreality.

Anxiety connected to health or the body

People who frequently worry about their physical health, catastrophize symptoms, or feel preoccupied with the possibility of becoming seriously ill.

Anxiety linked to transitions, burnout, or sustained stress

People whose anxiety has increased during a major life change such as a career shift, relationship ending, loss, or a prolonged period of pressure at work or home.

What happens in a session?

  1. 1

    Map your anxiety patterns

    The therapist asks about what triggers your anxiety, how it shows up in your thoughts, body, and behavior, and what situations tend to make it better or worse.

  2. 2

    Understand the cycle

    Together you identify the patterns that maintain anxiety, including avoidance, reassurance-seeking, and overestimating threat, and begin to see how those patterns keep it going.

  3. 3

    Build regulation tools

    You learn practical techniques to manage anxiety symptoms in real situations, such as grounding exercises, breathing approaches, or ways to interrupt anxious thought spirals.

  4. 4

    Work through avoidance

    The therapist helps you gradually approach situations or thoughts that anxiety has pushed you to avoid, in a structured and manageable way that builds confidence over time.

  5. 5

    Consolidate and maintain progress

    As anxiety decreases, sessions shift toward recognizing triggers early, applying skills independently, and building resilience for future stressors.

How it compares to other approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely used approaches for anxiety. It focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and changing behaviors that maintain anxiety. Most structured anxiety therapy draws on CBT principles.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Rather than challenging anxious thoughts directly, ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with your values. Some people find this more useful when anxiety is tied to identity or meaning.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores how early relationships and past experiences contribute to current anxiety. It tends to be less structured and longer-term than CBT, and may suit people whose anxiety has deep roots in personal history.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was developed for emotional dysregulation, but its distress tolerance and mindfulness skills are sometimes used for anxiety. It may be a good fit when anxiety is part of a broader pattern of intense, difficult-to-manage emotions.

EMDR

EMDR is primarily a trauma-focused therapy but is sometimes used for anxiety when panic, phobias, or anxious responses are linked to specific distressing experiences. It is more specialized and not a first-line treatment for general anxiety.

How to choose an Anxiety therapist

Questions to ask before booking:

  1. 1

    Ask about their experience with your specific type of anxiety. General anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and health anxiety can all be addressed through therapy, but an experienced therapist will explain how their approach applies to your particular pattern.

  2. 2

    Ask what approach or modality they use and how it typically works for anxiety. If they use CBT, ask what that looks like in practice. If they use something different, ask how it addresses the patterns you are describing.

  3. 3

    Ask how long therapy tends to take for someone in a similar situation. Some anxiety concerns respond well to shorter-term work of eight to sixteen sessions, while others benefit from longer support.

  4. 4

    Ask what progress looks like and how you will know it is working. A good therapist can describe what changes tend to happen over the course of treatment, even if timelines vary.

  5. 5

    Ask whether they assign work between sessions. Many anxiety approaches include exercises, tracking, or gradual exposure tasks you practice outside of sessions. Knowing this in advance helps set expectations.

  6. 6

    If your anxiety is accompanied by other concerns like depression, trauma, or substance use, ask how they work with multiple presenting issues at once or whether they recommend addressing one area first.

When this may not be the right fit

If your anxiety is accompanied by significant depression, thoughts of self-harm, or difficulty functioning day to day, a higher level of support may be appropriate before or alongside outpatient therapy. Speak with your physician or a mental health professional about the right level of care.

Some physical conditions can produce symptoms that resemble anxiety, including thyroid issues, heart conditions, and hormonal changes. If your physical symptoms are prominent and you have not had a recent medical check-up, it is worth discussing them with a doctor.

When anxiety is closely tied to past trauma, a trauma-focused approach like EMDR or trauma-informed therapy may be more effective than general anxiety treatment. A good therapist will be able to identify this and adjust accordingly.

If substance use has become a way of managing anxiety, it can be difficult to address the anxiety directly until that is also being supported. Many therapists can work with both, but some prefer to address one before the other.

Related specialties

Frequently asked questions

What type of therapist is best for anxiety?

Many licensed counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers support anxiety. The best fit is usually someone with experience treating your specific anxiety concerns and an approach that matches how you like to work.

How long does anxiety therapy take?

Some people notice useful changes within a few sessions, especially when therapy is skills-focused. Others work longer term when anxiety is connected to trauma, relationships, burnout, or longstanding patterns.

Can online therapy help with anxiety?

Yes. Online therapy can be effective for many anxiety concerns, especially when sessions include practical tools, reflection, and exercises you can use in daily situations.

What is the difference between generalized anxiety and panic disorder?

Generalized anxiety involves persistent worry across many areas of life. Panic disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of fear often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath. Both are treatable with therapy.

Do I need a diagnosis before starting anxiety therapy?

No. You do not need a formal diagnosis to start therapy. Many people seek support for anxiety symptoms without ever receiving a clinical label, and a good therapist will work with your experience rather than requiring a diagnosis first.

What is exposure therapy and is it used for anxiety?

Exposure therapy is a structured technique where you gradually face feared situations or thoughts in a controlled, manageable way. It is commonly used within CBT for anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. A therapist guides the pace to keep it manageable.

Can anxiety be treated without medication?

Many people manage anxiety effectively through therapy alone, particularly with structured approaches like CBT or ACT. Others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. Whether medication is right for you is a conversation to have with your physician or psychiatrist based on the severity and type of anxiety you are experiencing.

Looking for an Anxiety therapist?

Browse therapists in Canada who specialize in anxiety. Filter by location, fee, and session format to find the right fit.

Anxiety Therapists in Canada — Find an Anxiety Therapist | Purple Lotus