Healing Through Forgiveness

4 Types of Therapy for Anxiety

5 August 2021 by Kurt Garrett

If you think you may be suffering from anxiety, you've probably been advised to seek therapy. But what this therapy entails is often unclear. Many different types of available anxiety treatment options, but here are four of the most common ones.

1. Exposure Therapy

If your anxiety is related to specific scenarios, then exposure therapy may be recommended. This is a common type of therapy for people with social anxiety, and for those whose anxiety is triggered by phobias. The therapist will guide you through various exposures to the items and situations which trigger your anxiety. You'll sit with the exposure until your symptoms dissipate, which over time, helps reduce or eliminate the anxious response to these triggers. For example, if you grow anxious around spiders, your therapist may slowly introduce you to spiders, putting you closer and closer to them over time.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment for general anxiety and phobias. Your therapist will put you in anxiety-inducing situations, but then they will focus on the thought patterns you develop during the exposure. Over time, they will work with you to change those thought patterns, which will change your response to a healthier one.

3. Dialectical Therapy

Dialectical therapy is technically a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, but it's more intensive and is commonly used for severe anxiety and panic attacks. Through this therapy, you will learn to recognize your anxiety and connect to it, which will allow you to mindfully manage it rather than allowing it to manage you. Over time, you'll learn to recognize your anxiety earlier, when it is still mild, and manage it before it builds to be out of control.

4. Interpersonal Therapy 

Is your anxiety related to certain relationships or social situations in general? If so, interpersonal therapy may be really helpful. You can learn how to better connect to people and how to thrive in your relationship roles, which can help you feel comfortable and less anxious around those people. Sometimes, bringing your partner or family members with you to interpersonal therapy can help, too. Your therapist can observe your interactions with them and make recommendations.

If you struggle with anxiety, therapy can be incredibly helpful. Talk to your therapist or doctor to learn more about each of these styles of therapy, and to better determine which may be the best fit for your needs. 

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