THERAPIST FOR ANXIETY | FORT MYERS, FL

Move beyond the chaos of anxiety and find the steady calm and control you need.

Anxiety can make life feel chaotic and unmanageable. If you’re struggling, reaching out for support can help you find relief. At Very Good Counseling, we offer a holistic approach to help you regain control and reduce anxiety. Our goal as your therapist for anxiety is to work with you to address the root cause and develop effective strategies for calming your mind and taking back control.

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THERAPY FOR ANXIETY |FORT MYERS, FL

Move beyond the chaos of anxiety and find the steady calm and control you need.

Anxiety can make life feel chaotic and unmanageable. If you’re struggling, reaching out for support is a positive step. At Very Good Counseling, we offer practical help to help you regain control and reduce anxiety. Our goal is to work with you to develop effective strategies for calming your mind and taking back control. You don’t have to handle this alone—our team is here to support you in finding stability and relief.

Let's go

Therapy for Anxiety in Florida

Many of us worry from time to time. We fuss over finances, feel anxious about job interviews, or get nervous about get-togethers. These feelings can be normal or even helpful at times. They may give us a boost of energy or help us focus on completing a task. But for people with anxiety disorders, they can be overwhelming and debilitating.

Anxiety disorders affect 19.1% of U.S. adults, or (over 40 million people), each year.

People with these disorders have feelings of fear and indecision that interfere with everyday activities and last for 6 months or more. Anxiety disorders can also raise your risk for other medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and depression. So, getting help to treat it is crucial in help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing.

The good news is that most anxiety disorders get better with therapy. The course of treatment depends on the type of anxiety disorder a person experience. Medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both can usually relieve troubling symptoms.

The most widely-used and effective therapy for anxiety is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness. Research has shown it can be effective with generalized anxiety (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and many other conditions.

With this type of therapy, you learn to challenge your thoughts, desensitize yourself to the things that are causing you anxiety, and replace them with another option. This sounds easy and it can be for some but, many people continue struggle with achieving relief from stress and worry without the help of a therapist.

Another effective treatment for anxiety is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reuptake (EMDR) therapy. Typically, this therapy is for those who have more severe symptoms, such as people with PTSD, depression, and more.

EMDR identifies and addresses traumatic experiences that have overwhelmed the brain’s natural coping capacity, and, as a result, have created traumatic symptoms, such as flashbacks or anxiety, or harmful coping strategies, such as isolating behavior and self-medication with alcohol or drugs.

At Very Good Counseling, We have Certified EMDR therapists who help you overcome these negative patterns and develop new thoughts about the traumatic events you may experience. During EMDR, individuals process the memory safely, which leads to a peaceful resolution.

The experience results in increased insight regarding both previously disturbing events and the negative thoughts about themselves that have grown out of the original traumatic event.

…Because We Believe You Matter.

At Very Good Counseling, we treat people with anxiety and other issues holistically.

This means that this holistic approach encourages the integration of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the human condition into therapy. It often allows individuals to better see the connections between these different aspects of their lives and better understand how this affects their health and wellness.

As with other types of therapy, it is essential to be willing to work with your therapist to deal with the emotional and mental conflicts you are facing. Holistic approaches require participation, and people are often asked to do homework to practice new coping strategies and restructure destructive beliefs uncovered in therapy. Your counselor will work with you to find the root of your anxiety, worries, and fears, and then the two of you will develop the right plan for you to move forward in a more desirable way.

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What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Understanding and Addressing the Full Spectrum

Anxiety, a term most of us are familiar with, is more than just feeling stressed or worried. It’s a persistent feeling that can interfere with daily activities and takes a toll on mental and physical health. Anxiety, while universal in nature, tends to present differently depending on an individual’s stage of life.

The symptoms remain relatively consistent but their manifestations and the contexts in which they arise can vary greatly. Below, we break down how the 10 most common symptoms of anxiety might appear across different age groups, shedding light on how therapies like CBT and EMDR serve as powerful tools in addressing these symptoms.

10 Symptoms of Anxiety:

1. Fear – one of the most fundamental emotions tied to anxiety. It’s an overwhelming feeling that something bad will happen, often without a clear reason.

Children: Fear of the dark, monsters, being alone, or being away from parents.
Teens: Fear of social rejection, academic pressures, or not fitting in.
Young Adults: Fear of failure, not finding a job, or fear of relationships ending.
Adults: Fear for children’s well-being, financial instability, or health concerns.
Elderly Adults: Fear of isolation, health decline, or end-of-life concerns.

2. Worry – constantly thinking about and dreading future events, even if there’s no rational basis for these thoughts.

Children: Worry about school tests or losing a toy.
Teens: Worry about friendships, appearances, or college applications.
Young Adults: Worry about job interviews, financial independence, or starting a family.
Adults: Worry about mortgage payments, children’s futures, or career progression.
Elderly Adults: Worry about health issues or becoming a burden to their family.

3. Panic – sudden, intense bouts of fear that can include palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Children: Panic when separated from parents or at loud noises.
Teens: Panic before exams or when feeling socially outcast.
Young Adults: Panic about major life decisions or unexpected challenges.
Adults: Panic about health scares or major family crises.
Elderly Adults: Panic about health setbacks or significant changes to routine.

4. Sleeplessness – difficulty falling or staying asleep. Nightmares or night sweats can also be common.

Children: Difficulty sleeping without a nightlight or a bedtime story.
Teens: Staying up late due to academic pressures or screen time.
Young Adults: Pulling all-nighters for work or study; stress over new responsibilities.
Adults: Insomnia due to work stress, health issues, or family responsibilities.
Elderly Adults: Sleep disturbances due to medication, health issues, or age-related insomnia.

5. Digestive Issues – from a churning stomach to full-blown IBS, the gut can be a barometer for anxiety.

Children: Stomach aches before school due to nervousness.
Teens: Loss of appetite or overeating during stressful periods.
Young Adults: Stress-induced IBS or stomach issues before significant events.
Adults: Chronic digestive problems exacerbated by stress.
Elderly Adults: Digestive sensitivity to anxiety due to age-related physiological changes.

6. Sweating, Weakness, or Trembling – physical manifestations when the body goes into the ‘fight, flight, freeze, or fawn’ mode.

Children: Sweating during nightmares or trembling during thunderstorms.
Teens: Sweating before presentations or trembling when confronted with peer pressures.
Young Adults: Weakness after strenuous activities or challenges.
Adults: Trembling during stressful confrontations or crises.
Elderly Adults: Exacerbated physical reactions due to age-related vulnerabilities.

7. Social Withdrawal – avoiding social interactions due to fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated.

Children: Avoiding school or group activities.
Teens: Staying in their rooms, avoiding social events or group activities.
Young Adults: Avoiding social gatherings or workplace events.
Adults: Withdrawing from friends, family, or community activities.
Elderly Adults: Avoiding community or family gatherings due to health or mobility issues.

8. Specific Phobias – intense fears about specific things or situations, such as spiders or flying.

Children: Fear of bugs, heights, or water.
Teens: Fear of public speaking, specific animals, or places.
Young Adults: Phobias related to specific experiences or traumas.
Adults: Phobias developed from past traumas or adverse experiences.
Elderly Adults: Fear of falls, medical procedures, or being alone.

9. Irritability – a lower tolerance level leading to mood swings and frustration at minor things.

Children: Mood swings when routines are disrupted.
Teens: Irritability due to hormonal changes and external pressures.
Young Adults: Irritability stemming from work stress or relationship issues.
Adults: Irritability due to family pressures, work challenges, or health concerns.
Elderly Adults: Irritability due to health concerns, medication side effects, or environmental changes.

10. Increased Heart Rate – a pounding heart, especially when faced with a stressful situation.

Children: Racing heart during intense play or moments of fear.
Teens: Increased heart rate during physical activities or moments of acute stress.
Young Adults: Heart palpitations due to caffeine, stress, or intense situations.
Adults: Increased heart rate due to health concerns or intense moments of stress.
Elderly Adults: Elevated heart rate due to health conditions or sudden emotional stressors.

How Does Anxiety Form?

Anxiety doesn’t arise out of the blue. It’s often the result of a combination of factors including genetics, personality, significant traumatic events, and environmental factors. Brain chemistry plays a role too, as misalignments in neurotransmitters can influence feelings of anxiety. Studies show prolonged exposure to stressful environments, be it a difficult job or a challenging family situation, can escalate feelings of anxiety.

Common Questions About Anxiety

Is anxiety a mental illness?

Yes and no. Everyone feels anxious now and then. However, when feelings of anxiety persist and begin to interfere with daily life, it’s termed as an anxiety disorder, which is a mental health condition.

Can anxiety go away on its own?

Sometimes. Mild anxiety triggered by a specific event might dissipate on its own once the event has passed. However, chronic anxiety often requires intervention.

Is anxiety treatable?

Absolutely. With the right therapy and, if necessary, medication, anxiety is highly treatable.

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How CBT and EMDR Help

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most commonly prescribed therapies for anxiety. It’s based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, and by changing negative thought patterns, we can alter feelings and behaviors.

In the context of anxiety, CBT helps individuals identify and challenge their harmful beliefs, replacing them with positive, constructive thoughts.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is particularly beneficial for those whose anxiety stems from traumatic events.

It involves recalling traumatic experiences in brief doses while the therapist directs the patient’s eye movements. This helps in processing trauma and changing how one reacts to memories of it.

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Virtual Therapy for Anxiety in Florida

and In-Person Therapy in Our Fort Myers Office

Welcome to a space where healing knows no boundaries! At our practice, we bring therapy to you, offering virtual sessions for anxiety across the entire state of Florida. Whether you’re soaking up the sun in Miami or enjoying the Gulf breeze in Pensacola, our virtual doors are wide open for you.

For those who crave in-person connection, our Fort Myers office stands as a therapeutic haven. We believe in client autonomy, recognizing that your journey is uniquely yours.

Why? Because you matter. Your well-being is a priority, and the time to find relief is now. Let us be your guides to ease, whether through the pixels on your screen or across the table in Fort Myers. Distance shouldn’t be a barrier to healing, and at our practice, it never is.

We’re Very Good.

Begin Anxiety Therapy

Not to brag but…

    
 
 
        
   Michael M 
 03/04/2024
 
 
  Robert is an expert at his craft and truly cares… I have been working with him for about a year now and my life has transformed. Things I never thought I’d be able to do because of trauma have simply gone away in the most healthy way. I cannot thank him enough and he is an expert on dealing with traumatic events and talks to you as a human with a sense of humor.
  
 
       
   Andrew Dobo 
 12/02/2024
 
 
  Elena and Robert and highly skilled therapist including experts in EMDR Therapy. They are also personable, friendly and have a great sense of humor. You will feel comfortable, safe and cared for in their practice. You will not regret working with them. Don't delay call today.
  
 
       
   Andrea Livingston 
 19/07/2023
 
 
  The care, expertise and professionalism goes above a 5 star.  I am accomplishing goals, addressing and overcoming some things in my life. What only seemed like a dream is  now beginning to be reality. Thank you Robert
  
 
       
   Joseph Sozio 
 07/07/2023
 
 
  Experts in EMDR therapy that I would recommend highly. Look no further for genuine and effective counseling!
  
 
       
   Johanna Sozio 
 06/07/2023
 
 
  I continue to refer clients to the Engle’s due to their high level of expertise in treating trauma. They are proficient, compassionate counselors who go above and beyond. It is wonderful being able to refer clients for EMDR services.
  
 
       
   Jean Carlos 
 05/07/2023
 
 
  Looking for counselor who I liked took forever it seemed but once I met the counselors here I knew I was in the right place. They are very caring but easy to get along with. I was looking for anxiety therapy and depression therapy and they help me overcome these issues. I have been going for about 6 months now and I have couldn’t imagine what my life would be if I didn’t get the help I needed.

Once we met a few times in the office I decided to do therapy online. It was quick and painless to set up and since we met in person it’s like we never missed a beat.

I would recommend this place for anyone who is looking for quality counseling by real people. They have changed my life for the better. No hesitation to recommend them, the best therapy in Fort, Myers.
  
 
       
   Angelica Nunez 
 03/06/2023
 
 
  I am so grateful to have found Rob at Very Good Counseling. His expertise and compassionate approach were instrumental in helping me navigate and overcome my personal struggles. With his guidance, I was able to develop coping strategies and gain a deeper understanding of myself. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking effective and supportive therapy!
  
 
       
   Santiago Ceballos 
 20/06/2022
 
 
  Highly recommend this location, very flexibles schedules and amazing and comprehensive service. (:
  
 
       
   Erika Serrano 
 18/12/2021
 
 
  My daughter has been seeing Elena for two years after suffering from emotional and physical trauma. My daughter has made great strides in her self-worth, critical thinking, confidence and emotional processing throughout this time. Elena and her EMDR treatments are a complete game-changer and I will forever be grateful to her for helping get my daughter on a path for true healing. Elena is an absolute professional! We’ve had parental sessions with me and also accommodated mother/daughter sessions with us that have given us the gift of in-depth understanding for positive changes in our relationship. If you’re on the fence of treatment or are looking for someone with a better connection, your future will thank you for seeking Elena’s services today. I’ll be forever grateful to her for her help.

we’re Very Good.

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