Best Therapist for Anxiety in Charlotte: What to Look for When Choosing the Right Therapist for You

Anxiety can make your life feel overwhelming. Constant worry, somatic symptoms, racing thoughts, difficulty breathing, and the inability to relax all play into the very real toll anxiety plays on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  There are plenty of anxiety treatment options available, which can also make starting therapy feel like its own hurdle to cross. To help with the process of choosing the best anxiety therapist for you, consider the following:

The “Best” is Really About What is Best for You

There is no such thing as a one size fits all approach to therapy.  Every person is unique carrying their own stories and perspectives on the life they have lived.  This means no matter which therapist you choose, your therapy treatment should be tailored to fit you based off your unique experiences, values, and needs for treatment.  What works for one person, doesn’t always work for someone else.  The best therapist for you is going to be someone who understands this nuance, is trained in anxiety disorders, and is someone you feel safe and comfortable working with.

Feeling Safe with Your Therapist

One of the most important aspects of therapy is to feel safe and secure with your therapist.  If you are going to openly share and be vulnerable with your therapist, you need to feel safe, listened to, and accepted.  If you are feeling rushed, judged, or pressured to share when you are not ready, it is a good indication that the therapeutic relationship may not be a good fit for you.  Progress in therapy relies heavily on the therapeutic relationship.  Here are some therapist green flags:

• Active listening

• Validation

• Collaboration

• Competency

• Accountability

• Strong boundaries

• Professional

Anxiety Disorder Training

It can feel confusing wondering if you are choosing the therapist with the right credentials. To start off, in North Carolina a licensed therapist is required to hold a master’s degree in a qualifying field of study from an accredited institution. These fields include Clinical Psychology, Counselor Education, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to a master’s degree, the best therapist for you will also be licensed in their field of study, which includes Clinical Mental Health Counseling (LCMHC, LCMHCA, LCMHCS), Social Work (LCSW, LCSWA), Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT, LMFTA), Psychology (PsyD, PhD), and Addiction Counseling (LCAS, LCASA). To treat anxiety disorders, your therapist will also have additional training in treating anxiety disorders and common co-occurring disorders such as:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Panic Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Phobias

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• PTSD

• Separation Anxiety Disorder

Where to Find a Therapist

Therapists work in a variety of settings. Depending on the level of care needed therapists can be in in-patient or out-patient settings. In-patient settings include hospitals, residential treatment centers, acute care facilities, and specialized care units. Out-patient settings include solo private practice, group private practice, community mental health centers, hospital outpatient departments, and rehab centers. Ways to find these various settings include search engines like Google; therapist directories such as: Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Good Therapy, and Open Path; word of mouth; or referral.

Evidence-Based Approaches That Work for Anxiety

Different types of anxiety disorders respond best to different types of treatment.  However, different approaches can be used for a variety of anxiety disorders.  Here is a list of some effective evidence based approaches:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Exposure-Therapy

• Somatic Therapy

• EMDR

• Mindfulness based approaches

Your Specific Practical Needs

Practical needs for therapy matter too.  Think about which questions you are flexible on and which have a more concrete answer.  Consider the following:

• Does location matter to me? 

• Do I prefer in-person or virtual?

• In which setting do I want to see my therapist?

• What time of day and day of the week do I want to see my therapist?

• Is there a specific modality I am interested in trying?

• Is there a specific personality style that meshes well with my needs?

Finding the best therapist for anxiety in North Carolina isn’t about the perfect clinician, it’s about finding someone who understands what you are going through and makes you feel supported on your journey towards healing. 

If you are considering therapy, most therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation call.  To setup a consultation call with Blooming Minds Counseling, PLLC please visit our contact page to fill out an intake form.