Therapy for Anxiety

Anxiety is part of being human—it’s our brain’s way of keeping us safe. But when this system goes into overdrive, anxiety can begin to control your life.

At Firefly Therapy Austin, we understand how overwhelming this can feel. Whether it’s worrying over “what ifs,” experiencing panic attacks, or feeling constantly on edge, anxiety affects each person uniquely.

Understanding Anxiety and the Fight-Flight-Freeze Response

Anxiety often begins as a natural response to potential danger, activating our fight-flight-freeze response. This survival instinct is designed to help us react quickly to threats, preparing us to fight, flee, or freeze until danger passes. While this is incredibly useful when facing real threats, it can become problematic when the brain triggers this response in everyday situations, like social settings, work tasks, or even small decisions.

When the fight-flight-freeze response becomes overly sensitive, it can leave you feeling tense, hyper-aware, or exhausted, even without an obvious trigger. Therapy can help retrain your brain, so it only activates this response when truly necessary, allowing you to feel more in control.

Signs You Might Be Struggling with Anxiety

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone, but common signs include:

• Restlessness, feeling “on edge”
• Rapid heart rate or difficulty breathing
• Sleep disturbances, from trouble falling asleep to frequent waking
• Constant worry, often focused on unlikely scenarios
• Avoiding certain situations or places to prevent anxious feelings

If these experiences feel familiar, know that anxiety is manageable and you’re not alone. Therapy can offer you the relief and support you need.

Our Approach to Anxiety Therapy

At Firefly Therapy Austin, we use evidence-based techniques that address anxiety from multiple angles. Our therapists work with you to understand how anxiety affects your thoughts, body, and daily life, and we create a personalized plan to help you regain control. Our approach includes:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge and reframe anxious thoughts
• Mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you stay grounded
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for anxiety rooted in trauma
• Narrative Therapy to reshape how you view anxiety’s role in your life

Our goal is to help you manage anxiety effectively so it no longer controls your choices or limits your daily life.

Finding Balance and Relief

Therapy provides practical skills for managing anxiety, helping you build resilience and find calm amid life’s challenges. Working with our therapists, you’ll learn to:

• Understand your triggers and how to respond to them
• Develop coping strategies to manage symptoms when they arise
• Reclaim areas of your life anxiety may have limited

Therapy can help you regain control and restore balance by addressing the fight-flight-freeze response and exploring how it affects you personally.

Ready to Take Control?

Anxiety doesn’t have to define you. If you’re ready to take the first step toward relief, Firefly Therapy Austin is here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward a more balanced, peaceful life.