Anxiety

Therapy and Counselling Services in Kingston, Ontario

Feel like yourself again — one honest conversation at a time

Psychotherapy for Anxiety

Feeling anxious doesn’t always look like panic — sometimes it’s overthinking everything, trouble sleeping, feeling tense in your body, or never being able to relax. Whether your anxiety feels loud and overwhelming or quiet but constant, you don’t have to manage it alone.

I offer psychotherapy for anxiety to individuals, couples, teens, and children. These sessions are offered in-person at my Kingston office (corner of Princess Street and Sydenham Road), virtually anywhere in Ontario or walk-and-talk is available on the K&P trail for ongoing clients.

For those experiencing anxiety and worry symptoms, I also run a group program grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) called Anxiety & Worry: Reclaiming Your Calm. Designed as an affordable alternative to individual psychotherapy, this group provides consistent weekly support with sessions that build week by week using structured, evidence-based strategies.

Learn more about my Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Groups

How Anxiety Might Show Up

  • Racing thoughts or constant worry
  • Trouble concentrating or feeling “foggy”
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Feeling tense, restless, or on edge
  • Muscle tightness, jaw clenching, or headaches
  • Fast heartbeat, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
  • Upset stomach, nausea, or digestive issues
  • Avoiding certain situations, places or people
  • Overthinking or replaying conversations
  • Feeling easily overwhelmed or overstimulated
  • Irritability or sudden mood changes
  • Needing excessive reassurance or control
  • A sense that something bad is going to happen
Peaceful sunset view over a lake with a wooden pier and reeds, capturing tranquility and nature's beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, uncertainty, or perceived danger — it’s part of your body’s way of protecting you. Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when those feelings become overwhelming, constant, or begin to interfere with everyday life, they can become harder to manage on your own.

Anxiety can affect your thoughts (like constant worry or overthinking), your body (like a racing heart or tight chest), and your behaviour (like avoiding things or people). Therapy can help you better understand what’s happening and learn strategies to reduce its impact.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, over 1 in 10 Canadians met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder in the past year — and rates have nearly doubled over the last decade. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, 1 in 4 report experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety is not a personal failure — it’s a deeply human response to stress, uncertainty, and sometimes trauma. The good news? Support is available, and therapy can help.

Source: Statistics Canada

Yes. Anxiety can show up in many different forms, and each person experiences it in their own way. Some people feel a general sense of unease most of the time, while others have intense spikes of fear in specific situations. Understanding the type of anxiety you’re experiencing can help guide how we approach it in therapy.

Here are a few common forms of anxiety:

  • Generalized Anxiety: Persistent worry about a wide range of things — even when there’s no obvious cause. It can feel like your mind is always busy or preparing for the worst.
  • Social Anxiety: Intense fear of judgment or embarrassment in social or performance situations.
  • Panic Disorder: Recurring panic attacks — sudden surges of fear or discomfort, often with physical symptoms like chest tightness or dizziness.
  • Phobias: Strong, irrational fears about specific things (like flying, heights, or needles) that can lead to avoidance.
  • Health Anxiety: Excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, even after medical reassurance.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Traits: Repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions) that feel difficult to control.
  • Stress-Related or Trauma-Linked Anxiety: Anxiety connected to past events, transitions, or high-pressure environments.

Whether or not any of these labels feel like a fit, what matters most is how anxiety shows up in your life — and how we can work together to help you feel more calm, clear, and in control.

Anxiety can show up in many different ways — and not all of them look like panic. You might notice racing thoughts, tension in your body, difficulty sleeping, overthinking everything, or a constant sense of unease. Some people feel anxious in social situations, others struggle with decision-making or a fear that something bad is about to happen — even when there’s no clear reason why. If you often feel stuck in your head, on edge, or like you can’t fully relax, you may be experiencing anxiety.

You might feel pressure to be “fine,” but inside, you’re exhausted from managing everything, second-guessing yourself, or feeling like your body is always in alert mode. Whether your anxiety feels like a constant background hum or like a wave crashing over you, therapy can help you understand what you’re feeling and where it’s coming from.

No. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to begin counselling. Many people come to therapy because they’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge, or stuck in patterns of worry — even if they’re not sure whether it “counts” as anxiety.

Therapy can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing, and sometimes that clarity alone is healing. Whether or not you meet the criteria for a clinical diagnosis, your feelings are valid. If anxiety is interfering with your well-being, relationships, or daily life, that’s reason enough to reach out.

If you’re interested in pursuing a formal diagnosis, I recommend speaking with your primary care provider. They can assess your symptoms, refer you to a psychiatrist if needed, and discuss whether medication or additional supports might be appropriate.

Absolutely. Therapy offers a supportive space to slow down, untangle anxious thoughts, and develop practical tools for calming your nervous system. You’ll also explore deeper patterns that may be contributing to your anxiety, like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-doubt.

Together, we’ll focus on building inner safety, confidence, and emotional regulation — not just coping, but growing through the process. You don’t need to be at your worst to benefit; therapy can help you gain clarity and calm at any stage.

I use a personalized, integrative approach based on what feels most helpful for you. There’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to anxiety, because everyone experiences it differently — whether it shows up as constant worry, panic attacks, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or physical tension.

Depending on your needs and preferences, we might draw from:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
    Helps you recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. It’s practical, structured, and often includes exercises to use between sessions.
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT):
    Particularly helpful for clients who experience anxiety alongside self-criticism or shame. CFT supports you in developing a more kind and supportive relationship with yourself — which can soften the inner tension that fuels anxiety.
  • Mindfulness-Based Strategies:
    You’ll learn how to notice anxious thoughts without getting swept away by them. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded in the present moment, especially when your mind feels like it’s racing ahead.
  • Person-Centered Talk Therapy:
    The therapeutic relationship itself can be healing. You’ll have space to talk openly, without judgment, and be met with empathy and curiosity. Often, this alone helps ease the sense of isolation that anxiety can bring.
  • Nervous System Regulation Tools:
    Anxiety is often rooted in how the body responds to stress. We may explore somatic tools like breathwork, grounding exercises, or visualizations to help calm the body and restore a sense of safety.

My role is to collaborate with you — to listen carefully, adjust the approach as we go, and offer both insight and practical tools. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning with more clarity, we’ll move at a pace that honours where you are.

Yes — although it may take time and consistency. Many clients find that therapy helps reduce the intensity of their anxiety, gives them tools to manage it when it shows up, and helps them feel more in control of their lives.

You might not stop feeling anxious overnight, but you can learn how to respond to anxiety with more calm, clarity, and self-trust. Feeling better often starts with being seen and supported in what you’re going through.

For many people, yes. Medication can help ease symptoms so you can function more comfortably and engage more fully in therapy and everyday life. Some people use medication short-term during high-stress periods, while others benefit from longer-term use.

It’s not a “cure,” but it can be one helpful part of your overall support system.

No. Medication is never required to benefit from therapy. Many people find relief through talk therapy, self-awareness, and lifestyle changes alone. Others choose to combine therapy with medication — both paths are valid.

If you’re unsure what’s right for you, therapy can be a space to explore your options without pressure. Whether or not you take medication, your preferences will always be respected, and we’ll focus on what feels most supportive for you.

If you’re considering therapy for anxiety, you might want to explore the following pages first:

Or, if you’re feeling ready, you can check my current availability and choose an appointment time that works best for you:

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Group Therapy

Anxiety & Worry

Reclaiming Your Calm

This is a 10-week group therapy program designed to help individuals better understand and manage chronic worry and generalized anxiety. Drawing from evidence-based cognitive behavioural strategies, each session explores key themes like the nature of worry, unhelpful thinking patterns, attention training, problem-solving, and accepting uncertainty. The group offers a supportive space to explore your experiences and develop more helpful ways of responding to anxiety—both now and in the future.

Learn more about this CBT Group on Anxiety & Worry

Ready to Book?

Booking a psychotherapy appointment is simple and straightforward through my secure Jane platform. Just choose a time that fits your schedule—no back-and-forth emails needed. Evening and weekend appointments are available. I’m here when you’re ready to begin.

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