Although it is impossible to completely avoid feeling anxious, when your mind always feels “on,” constant anxiety will be exhausting.
Unfortunately, when this happens, your body struggles to relax, and everyday situations and responsibilities will feel overwhelming, stressful, and very difficult to manage.
Many people with anxiety become highly skilled at hiding how overwhelmed they actually feel.
However, anxiety is very treatable and our psychologists and counsellors help people every day learn practical skills to reduce anxiety, regain confidence, and feel more in control of their lives.
Unfortunately, when this happens, your body struggles to relax, and everyday situations and responsibilities will feel overwhelming, stressful, and very difficult to manage.
Many people with anxiety become highly skilled at hiding how overwhelmed they actually feel.
However, anxiety is very treatable and our psychologists and counsellors help people every day learn practical skills to reduce anxiety, regain confidence, and feel more in control of their lives.
Starting Therapy For Anxiety - We Make It Easy
At Green Leaf Psychological Services, our psychologists and counsellors:
1) Help you understand what causes and maintains anxiety
2) Help you develop practical strategies to better manage anxiety and reduce its impact on your daily life
- Our experienced psychologists specialize in evidence-based therapy for anxiety disorders, chronic stress, panic attacks, health anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, work-related stress, and related concerns.
- Our clinic has served Halifax and Nova Scotia since 2017 and has helped thousands of clients improve their mental health and well-being
- We offer in-person and virtual therapy appointments across Nova Scotia
- We have over 30 clinicians with a wide range of specialties, personalities, and appointment options
- We can direct bill most insurance policies such as Blue Cross, Sun Life, Green Shield, etc.
- We have evening and weekend appointment options to fit your schedule
- We custom-match every request and will get back to you very quickly after you contact us - almost always within 24 hours or sooner
Many people struggling with anxiety have spent months or years trying to manage it on their own.
Therapy provides an opportunity to better understand anxiety, develop practical coping strategies, and make changes that can last long after therapy ends.
What Happens After You Contact Us?
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1) We review your request. We carefully review the information you provide and consider your concerns, goals, preferences, and availability. 2) We match you with a therapist. With over 30 clinicians, we take time to identify a psychologist or counsellor who is a good fit for your needs. You do not need to choose a therapist on your own but can certainly provide preferences when you reach out. 3) We contact you with appointment options. We will reach out with available appointment times and answer any questions you may have about the process. 4) You attend your first session. During your first appointment (in-person or online), you and your therapist will discuss your concerns, goals, and what you would like to get out of therapy. |
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A brief message is completely fine when you contact us. You do not need to explain everything or have all the details figured out before reaching out.
Changes To Notice As Therapy Begins To Help
Although anxiety rarely disappears overnight, as therapy starts to help, our clients often notice improvements such as:
- Feeling less overwhelmed
- Fewer racing thoughts and less time spent worrying about worst-case scenarios
- Improved sleep and finding it easier to relax
- Feeling less tense or on edge
- Less avoidance of situations that previously were stressful
- Increased confidence in social, work, school, and relationship situations
- Reduced panic symptoms and fewer episodes overall
- Improved concentration, focus, and productivity
- Greater ability to manage everyday stress
Is Having Anxiety Normal...Or A Problem?
Anxiety is actually a normal human emotion that involves feelings of worry or fear about a situation, an event, or uncertain outcome.
It is a common (and necessary) emotional experience that can be quite helpful in certain situations. For example, it can cause us to take action when we are threatened or when we have challenges we must overcome.
In this sense, anxiety can be a fuel that energizes us to prepare for all the responsibilities and challenges that life throws at us (of which there are many).
However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can interfere with our daily activities and quality of life.
At this point, it stops being helpful and instead often holds us back.
If it is severe enough, it may even be classified as an anxiety disorder. Rather than fuelling us, it acts more like an anchor that weighs us down and causes us to retreat, avoid, or hide from our fears and stressors.
Moderate or severe anxiety can cause us to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, can impact our performance at work or school, and causes us to avoid of feared situations or activities.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping, which can further impact our daily lives.
Additionally, anxiety can negatively affect social interactions, leading to isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships.
Emotionally, prolonged and unhealthy levels of anxiety can cause feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness, sometimes leading to other mental health issues such as depression.
Quick Points:
Although having no anxiety or stress may sound wonderful, this is neither possible, nor desirable. The goal is to manage stressors in a healthy way, to keep our fears proportional to actual threats, and to convert anxiety into useful energy.
It is a common (and necessary) emotional experience that can be quite helpful in certain situations. For example, it can cause us to take action when we are threatened or when we have challenges we must overcome.
In this sense, anxiety can be a fuel that energizes us to prepare for all the responsibilities and challenges that life throws at us (of which there are many).
However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can interfere with our daily activities and quality of life.
At this point, it stops being helpful and instead often holds us back.
If it is severe enough, it may even be classified as an anxiety disorder. Rather than fuelling us, it acts more like an anchor that weighs us down and causes us to retreat, avoid, or hide from our fears and stressors.
Moderate or severe anxiety can cause us to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, can impact our performance at work or school, and causes us to avoid of feared situations or activities.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping, which can further impact our daily lives.
Additionally, anxiety can negatively affect social interactions, leading to isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships.
Emotionally, prolonged and unhealthy levels of anxiety can cause feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness, sometimes leading to other mental health issues such as depression.
Quick Points:
Although having no anxiety or stress may sound wonderful, this is neither possible, nor desirable. The goal is to manage stressors in a healthy way, to keep our fears proportional to actual threats, and to convert anxiety into useful energy.
- We custom match every client with a therapist who best suited for your needs and goals in counselling. Learn how we connect clients with our therapists who have current openings.
- We offer both in-person and virtual therapy.
- For assistance with reducing anxiety and managing stress, we welcome you to book an appointment with our Halifax psychologists, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
What Are Diagnosable Anxiety Disorders?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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Social Anxiety Disorder
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Specific Phobias
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Panic Disorder
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Quick Points: Panic attacks are not dangerous, but they certainly feel like they are. The perception of danger and the fear of having a panic attack is often what keeps them active. However, panic attacks (as well as other anxiety disorders) are actually very treatable in therapy. |
What Does Clinical Level Anxiety Feel Like?
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Anxiety can express itself in both physical and emotional symptoms.
Excessive anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and feeling absolutely exhausted (not just tired). Emotionally, excessive anxiety is often experienced as a sense of constant worry or fear that can seem overwhelming, and individuals may struggle to control their anxious thoughts and feelings. Relentless, excessive anxiety can lead to a sense of impending doom, as well as difficulty concentrating, irritability, and changes in sleep or eating patterns. Living with anxiety is like being followed by a voice that knows all your fears and insecurities and uses them against you. It is often the loudest voice in the room and the only one you can hear. |
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How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are very common and affect a significant portion of the population.
Approximately 30% of people experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Research generally finds that women are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders than men.
Although anxiety-related problems respond very well to treatment, only about one third of people seek professional assistance for anxiety disorders.
Approximately 30% of people experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Research generally finds that women are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders than men.
Although anxiety-related problems respond very well to treatment, only about one third of people seek professional assistance for anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis |
Percentage (American Psychiatric Association) |
Phobias |
8% - 12% |
Social Anxiety Disorder |
7% |
Panic Disorder |
2% - 3% |
GAD |
2.9% |
Agoraphobia |
1% - 1.7% |
What Causes Anxiety-Related Problems?
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not fully understood and of course, varies from person to person,
However, multiple factors likely contribute to their development.
This includes genetics, brain chemistry, family environment, personality traits (e.g., perfectionism, a tendency to worry, and being overly self-critical), exposure to trauma or stress, certain medical conditions (such as thyroid disorders), difficult childhoods, and substance misuse / abuse.
For those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety, it can make them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder when there are other risk factors present.
However, multiple factors likely contribute to their development.
This includes genetics, brain chemistry, family environment, personality traits (e.g., perfectionism, a tendency to worry, and being overly self-critical), exposure to trauma or stress, certain medical conditions (such as thyroid disorders), difficult childhoods, and substance misuse / abuse.
For those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety, it can make them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder when there are other risk factors present.
How Often Do Anxiety Disorders Occur With Other Disorders?
It is common for anxiety disorders to coexist with other mental health conditions. For example, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety Disorders often occur together, with around half of individuals diagnosed with MDD will also meet criteria for an Anxiety Disorder.
People with Anxiety Disorders are also more likely to experience substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and personality disorders.
Left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to serious relationship difficulties, poor work or school performance, physical health issues, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation or attempts.
People with Anxiety Disorders are also more likely to experience substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and personality disorders.
Left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to serious relationship difficulties, poor work or school performance, physical health issues, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation or attempts.
How Do We Treat Anxiety At Green Leaf?
Anxiety disorders are sometimes treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication (although psychologists cannot prescribe medication).
Our psychologists may offer Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety.
Often, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices are taught to help reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Our psychologists may offer Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety.
Often, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices are taught to help reduce symptoms of anxiety.
In addition to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we may use other forms of therapy including (but not limited to) Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT that involves the gradual exposure to feared situations in order to reduce anxiety. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding them or trying to control them. DBT incorporates mindfulness techniques to improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT that involves the gradual exposure to feared situations in order to reduce anxiety. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding them or trying to control them. DBT incorporates mindfulness techniques to improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Although there may be some common elements and interventions, our treatments for anxiety are customized for each client to provide the greatest likelihood of symptom reduction or elimination.
Let's Get Started.
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Please tell us just a bit about what you are looking for below and we will do our best to be in touch within 24 hours with appointment options or to answer any questions.
Confidential Contact For Therapy
Green Leaf Psychological - Halifax, Nova Scotia
IMPORTANT
After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is often filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is often filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
Green Leaf Psychological Services, Inc.