Anxiety COUNSELING

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Anxiety is a normal and common human reaction to stressful situations. It is characterized by nervousness, apprehension, self-doubt, and can cause physical bodily responses like increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Anxiety disorders occur when an anxious reaction is out of proportion with the stressful situation that caused the reaction. An anxiety disorder will cause a person to feel anxiety on a much larger scale or for a larger period of time that what one would expect for the situation – so much so that the anxiety will interfere with daily life. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive psychiatric disorders in the United States. There are many types of anxiety disorders. Some types of anxiety disorders are:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – The most common anxiety disorder. GAD is a chronic disorder involving long lasting, excessive anxiety about nonspecific life events, objects, or situations. People with GAD may not be able to identify the cause of their anxiety.
  • Phobia – An irrational fear and avoidance of an object or situation.
  • Panic Disorder – Panic attacks are brief and sudden attacks of intense terror. Panic attacks usually peak at about 10 minutes but can last for hours. Panic disorders usually occur after periods of prolonged stress or frightening experiences.
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Anxiety that results from a previous trauma. PTSD often leads to lasting and severe memories or flashbacks of the trauma.

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?

Anxiety is a bodily response to anticipate danger. It is important for survival and allows people to protect themselves or avoid harm, much like the “fight or flight” response.

Anxious behavior can be both inherited and learned. For example, research shows that children can both inherit anxious behavior from their parents and learn anxious behavior that their parents model.

Beyond the normal occasional anxious behavior, research proves that anxiety disorders run in families. Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and exposure to stressful life events.

TREATMENT OF ANXIETY

There are many effective treatments for anxiety and anxiety disorders:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – The basic premise of CBT is that our thoughts affect the way we feel. CBT sessions include the practice of Cognitive Restructuring, commonly known as Thought Challenging. This is a process where the counselor helps a client challenge negative thinking patterns that contribute to their anxiety and replacing those thinking patterns with more positive thoughts.
  • Exposure Therapy – A key component to anxiety is that it causes people to avoid the situations that cause them anxiety. Exposure therapy aims to expose those with anxiety to the situations or objects that cause them anxiety. Over time, they will feel like they have more control over the situation and their anxiety will diminish.
  • Exercise
  • Relaxation Techniques such as Mindfulness

WHY SEEK HELP?

If you are suffering from anxiety, know that there is no quick fix for your condition. However, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Many people with anxiety report that after seeking help from a qualified counselor, they see improvements with in the first few sessions.

Written by Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or traumatizing experiences, these can be complicated matters which take time and patience. I work with each person to develop an individual plan, considering where you come from, where you are now, and ultimately where you want to be.

Anxiety Therapists at Gibson Counseling

Whitney Briggs, LPC

Whitney Briggs, LPC

Whitney's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Whitney

Location: Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS,  Sendero, Tricare,   United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   YES   (Video Only)  ADULTS, COUPLES & CHILDREN OVER 12

Expertise: Adults

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

Nathan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Nathan

Location:   In Person  and Video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients: Yes   In Person  & Video

Expertise: Adults and kids over 15

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Ida

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Evaluations Offered: Health Assessment

Insurances Accepted:  Cigna/Evernorth, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Optum EAP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Sendero, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients: Yes (Video only)

Expertise: Adults, Couples, Kids (16 year and up)

Eleny Guerrero Pena, LPC, LCDC

Eleny Guerrero Pena, LPC, LCDC

Eleny's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Eleny

Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:    United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), , Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  NO (no children)

(Video and in person)

Expertise:  Adults , Couples

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl

Location:  Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), BCBS, Beacon, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (video only)​ Daytime availability only

Expertise: Kids (6 yr and up), Adults and Couples

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:   United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:   NO

Expertise: Kids (6 yrs and older), Adults

Kristi Long, LPC, LCDC

Kristi Long, LPC, LCDC

Kristi's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Kristi

Location: Video Only for Texas

Evaluations Offered: Addiction (e.g. porn, internet, eating ,etc), Anxiety and Panic attacks, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar, Depression, PTSD and Trauma, Schizophrenia and Psychosis

Insurances Accepted:   Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP),  United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Humana, Triwest-VA, Tricare, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients:    NO   (Video only)

Expertise: Adults and Adolescents (over 13 years), No couples

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Rebeca's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Rebeca

Location: In person in Cedar Park starting February or video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Triwest, Tricare, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   NO

Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

Kyle Dickerson, LMFT

Kyle's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Kyle

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna, (NO AETNA EAP), Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero,  Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  No    (no children)

(Video and in office)

Expertise:  Adults and Couples

Assessments
  • Anxiety and Panic attacks
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Depression
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Schizophrenia and Psychosis
  • Bipolar
  • Eating Disorders
  • Addiction (e.g. porn, internet, eating ,etc)

 

Amy Venn, LCSW-S

Amy Venn, LCSW-S

Amy's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Amy

Location: Video Only for Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Triwest, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients:   NO  (Video only)

Expertise: Adults and Children (12 and up), No Couples

Rhonda Mack, LPC

Rhonda Mack, LPC

Rhonda's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Rhonda

Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:    Blue Cross Blue Shield,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Humana, Cigna/Evernorth (no EAP), Aetna (no EAP) , Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  NO

(Video and in person)

Expertise:  Adults , Couples

Danielle Linders, NCC, LPC, LCDC

Danielle Linders, NCC, LPC, LCDC

Danielle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Danielle

Location: In person North Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,   United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers)  , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  YES

Expertise: Adults -Individuals only

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina

Location: In person North Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients: No

Expertise:Kids (8 yrs and older), Adults and Couples

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP),  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self Pay $150

Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (VIDEO ONLY)

Video only  (Children age 12 and up)

Expertise: Kids (5yr and up), Adults and Couples

Hours
Mon By Appointment
Tue By Appointment
Wed By Appointment
Thu By Appointment
Fri By Appointment
Sat By Appointment
Sun Closed
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2201 Double Creek Drive, Unit 1003, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 633-7839
1101 Satellite View, Suite 402, Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 633-7839
921 West New Hope Drive, Suite 201, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 633-7839