Going to therapy is one of the most effective ways to manage and treat anxiety. While there are other things you can do, including taking medication and changing certain lifestyle choices, therapy helps you better understand where your anxiety is coming from while offering healthy ways of coping.
So, what happens when you’re worried therapy will make your anxiety worse?
Far too many people put off going to therapy because of that fear. The idea of opening up can create negative, worrisome scenarios in your mind that make it difficult to think of therapy as an option. Overcoming those negative thoughts can help you take the next step forward in your healing journey.
Let’s take a closer look at why you might be worried about therapy making your anxiety worse, and why it can actually be the best thing for your mental health.
Why Worry?
Anxiety can wreak havoc on your thoughts. It creates negative patterns that often make it difficult to see things for what they really are. So, when you think about therapy, you might immediately struggle with racing thoughts about what could happen.
Much of that stems from a fear of the unknown. Anxiety is often fueled by the “what ifs” of life, and you can come up with many of them on your own. What type of treatment do you need? What will your therapist be like? Will they have an approach you don’t understand? What if you have emotional responses you hadn’t expected?
All of these “what if” questions can cause the idea of therapy to be scary. On top of that, it’s not always easy to think about diving into your thoughts and emotions. One reason therapy is so effective for anxiety is that it often digs into the root cause of your anxious thoughts. The idea of that journey can feel overwhelming and scary, at least at first.
Negative Past Experiences
Maybe you’ve tried therapy before due to your anxiety and had a negative experience. The approach could have been different from what you needed at the time. Or, perhaps your negative experience was directly with the therapist.
It’s normal and understandable to be wary of trying therapy again if you’ve had a bad experience in the past. Your anxiety will make it difficult to forget what you have already gone through, and can cause you to project those feelings onto a new therapist.
What Can You Do?
So, how can you overcome the fear and worry that therapy will make your anxiety worse?
One of the best things you can do is to communicate with your therapist. Express your concerns, tell them about your worries, and ask about the process. The right therapist will help you understand what to expect and make you feel comfortable even before you start your sessions.
It’s also important to choose a modality that fits your needs. Because anxiety is so common, there are many different types of therapeutic approaches to help treat it. Again, it’s important to talk to your therapist about which option might be best for you. You should feel comfortable with the process as you move forward. That doesn’t mean there won’t be moments that are difficult as you dig into what’s causing your anxiety, but the overall method and timeline should meet your needs.
If you’ve had concerns about therapy or you’ve been putting it off out of fear, I’m happy to provide a safe space for you to express those concerns. Feel free to contact me for a consultation or to set up an appointment soon. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, so you can overcome your anxiety for good.