Forms Policies

If you are struggling with anxiety, it is critical to find a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety. A great deal of research has been done on anxiety treatment and based on study findings, we have a good idea of what usually works for most people: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Many therapists at PPA have extensive training and experience in CBT, and use this approach with patients who struggle with anxiety for one simple reason: it helps most people feel better. We tailor the treatment to meet each person’s specific needs, and as needed will incorporate other approaches, such as mindfulness, family systems, and acceptance-based techniques. Psychologists refer to this process of facing your fears as “exposures” because you are exposing yourself to situations that tend to make you feel anxious, and then using the tools learned in therapy to cope with this anxiety. Exposures are done in a gradual manner, such that you start by facing low level-fears, and then move on to more challenging situations. With the help of your therapist, patients first design an exposure hierarchy, which is a list of various situations that make one feel very nervous (e.g., social gatherings). This list also includes factors that either worsen or alleviate feelings of anxiety (e.g., small vs. large groups, public vs. private settings). Some exposures are done in session with the assistance of your therapist, while other exposures are assigned for practice to be done outside of the therapy sessi