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Anxiety Therapy

Anxiety Therapy in Florida

If worry, racing thoughts, or panic have started running your days, anxiety therapy can help you understand what is driving it and build skills to respond differently. Andrea Baskin, LMHC, offers secure telehealth anxiety therapy to adults throughout Florida.

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people reach out for therapy, and also one of the most treatable. Whether you are dealing with constant worry, sudden panic attacks, social anxiety, or a nagging fear about your health, effective treatment exists and it does not require years on a couch to see change.

This page explains what anxiety therapy actually involves, what to expect in session, and how to know when it is time to get support.

Book a free 15-minute consultation (954) 866-8846

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy is a structured, talk-based treatment that helps you identify the thought patterns and avoidance habits that keep anxiety going, then teaches practical skills to interrupt them. Most approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are active and collaborative rather than open-ended exploration.

In practice, this means sessions are not just about venting. You and your therapist will look at specific situations that trigger anxiety, examine the thoughts that show up automatically, and test out new ways of responding. Over time this builds a kind of mental muscle memory: you start to notice anxious thinking earlier and have real tools to work with it instead of getting swept up in it.

What types of anxiety does therapy address?

Anxiety shows up differently from person to person, and treatment is tailored to the pattern you are actually dealing with:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): chronic, hard-to-control worry about everyday things like work, health, or finances
  • Panic disorder: sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness
  • Social anxiety: fear of judgment or embarrassment in social or performance situations
  • Health anxiety: persistent fear of having or developing a serious illness, often with frequent checking or reassurance-seeking
  • High-functioning anxiety: anxiety that hides behind overachievement, perfectionism, and a packed schedule
  • Situational anxiety: anxiety tied to a specific stressor such as a major life transition, a relationship, or work pressure

What does CBT and exposure-based work look like in session?

CBT sessions typically involve identifying a recent anxious moment, mapping out the thought and behavior pattern behind it, and practicing a different response, sometimes with a small homework exercise between sessions. For panic, phobias, or avoidance, this can include gradual, planned exposure to feared situations in a way that feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

Exposure work is often misunderstood as something scary or forced. In reality, it is done gradually and collaboratively. You and your therapist build a list of situations ranked from least to most anxiety-provoking, and you move through them at a pace you help set. The goal is to teach your nervous system, through direct experience, that the anxiety is tolerable and passes, rather than confirming the fear by avoiding it indefinitely.

Sessions also often include grounding and breathing techniques, cognitive restructuring (identifying and questioning distorted thoughts), and problem-solving skills for the practical stressors feeding the anxiety.

What happens in a first anxiety therapy session?

The first session is mostly conversation: what has been going on, when it started, how it is affecting your daily life, and what you are hoping therapy will help with. There is no pressure to have it all figured out, and you will leave with a general sense of the plan going forward.

Andrea also offers a free 15-minute consultation call before your first full session, so you can ask questions and get a feel for whether it is a good fit before committing to anything.

How long does anxiety therapy take to work?

There is no fixed timeline. Everyone's experience with therapy is different, and progress depends on your individual needs, goals, circumstances, and treatment plan. We'll talk early on about what you're hoping for and check in regularly on how the work is going.

It helps to think of anxiety treatment less like a light switch and more like physical therapy for the mind: consistent, guided practice adds up. Andrea will check in regularly about your progress and adjust the pace and focus of sessions as needed.

Does online therapy work for anxiety?

Yes. CBT and exposure-based therapy are well established for anxiety disorders, and many people find these approaches translate well to secure video sessions. Secure video sessions also make it easier to practice skills in the real environments where your anxiety actually shows up, like your home or workplace.

Andrea provides therapy exclusively by secure telehealth to clients located anywhere in Florida, which means no commute, more scheduling flexibility, and access to care regardless of what city you live in.

When does anxiety need professional support?

Some anxiety is a normal, even useful, part of life. It becomes worth addressing in therapy when it starts to interfere with your relationships, work, sleep, or day-to-day functioning, or when it simply does not let up.

Frequently asked questions

How much does anxiety therapy cost in Florida?

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Sessions with Andrea Baskin are $125. She also accepts major insurance plans, including Aetna, AvMed, Cigna, and Florida Blue/BCBS, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost depending on your plan.

How many sessions of anxiety therapy will I need?

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This varies widely based on the type and severity of your anxiety. Some people see meaningful improvement in a handful of sessions using focused CBT tools, while others benefit from longer-term, ongoing support. Your treatment plan is built around your specific goals.

Do I need medication for anxiety, or does therapy work on its own?

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Therapy alone is effective for many people with anxiety, and some also choose to combine it with medication prescribed by a physician or psychiatrist. Andrea does not prescribe medication but can help you think through whether a medication consultation might be a useful addition to therapy.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety?

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Yes. CBT and exposure therapy adapt well to telehealth, and many people find video sessions work as well for them as meeting in an office. Many clients also find it easier to stay consistent with sessions when they do not have to travel.

What is the difference between anxiety and normal stress?

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Stress is usually tied to a specific, identifiable pressure and tends to ease once that pressure resolves. Anxiety often persists even without a clear trigger, can feel excessive relative to the actual situation, and tends to interfere with daily functioning over time.

Can anxiety therapy help with panic attacks specifically?

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Yes, panic attacks respond well to targeted treatment, particularly CBT and interoceptive exposure, which helps you become less afraid of the physical sensations of panic itself. Many people see a real reduction in frequency and intensity of panic attacks with consistent work.

Do you offer anxiety therapy in Spanish?

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Yes, Andrea Baskin is bilingual and offers therapy sessions in both English and Spanish.

Is there a free consultation before starting anxiety therapy?

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Yes, Andrea offers a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and see if it feels like a good fit before scheduling a full session.

Read more on this

Anxiety

What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?

High-functioning anxiety describes people who meet daily responsibilities and appear successful while privately experiencing chronic worry, overthinking, and physical tension. It isn't a formal diagnosis, but it often overlaps with generalized anxiety disorder. Because outward performance stays intact, the internal struggle can go unnoticed and untreated for years.

Anxiety

How Do You Stop a Panic Attack?

You can help a panic attack pass more quickly by slowing your breathing, grounding your attention in your physical surroundings, and reminding yourself that the intense symptoms, while frightening, are not dangerous and will subside. These steps don't eliminate panic instantly, but they interrupt the cycle that makes it worse.

Anxiety

What Happens in Anxiety Therapy?

Anxiety therapy typically starts with an assessment of your symptoms, history, and goals, followed by structured work using approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy to identify anxious thought patterns and reduce avoidance. Sessions are usually weekly, at least at first. Everyone's experience with therapy is different, and progress depends on your individual needs, goals, circumstances, and treatment plan.

OCD

OCD or Anxiety: What's the Difference?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves persistent, diffuse worry about many areas of life, while OCD involves specific, distressing intrusive thoughts paired with compulsions performed to reduce anxiety. The key distinguishing feature is the presence of compulsions and rigid thought patterns focused on specific themes in OCD, versus broad worry without a compulsive ritual in GAD.

Therapy Basics

Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Florida?

Many insurance plans in Florida provide some coverage for mental health therapy, since federal law generally requires mental health benefits to be comparable to medical benefits, but the specifics, including copays, deductibles, and which providers are in-network, depend entirely on your individual plan. The best way to know exactly what's covered is to call the member services number on your insurance card and ask directly. Many therapists, including practices that accept major insurers like Aetna, AvMed, Cigna, and Florida Blue, can also help verify benefits before your first session.

Therapy Basics

What Happens in a First Therapy Session?

In a first therapy session, your therapist will ask about what brought you in, your current symptoms or concerns, and relevant background such as your health history and past experiences with therapy. There's no pressure to have everything figured out; the goal is to start building an understanding of your situation and to see whether the therapist feels like a good fit for you.

Related services

OCD therapy for intrusive thoughts and compulsions

Depression therapy for low mood and burnout

How online therapy works across Florida

Ready to take the first step?

Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. We'll explore whether we're a good fit and how I can support you.

Schedule a Free Consultation (954) 866-8846