When worry becomes a constant part of your day, it can be difficult to feel fully present in your life. You might find yourself thinking through every possible outcome, replaying conversations, anticipating problems, or feeling tense even when nothing is obviously wrong.
I provide Generalized Anxiety Disorder therapy across Pittsburgh and New Castle, Pennsylvania, for adults who feel worn down by persistent worry and want to better understand what’s driving it. Through telehealth therapy, I also work with clients throughout PA.
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, often called GAD, involves excessive or difficult-to-control worry about different areas of life. Rather than being tied to one specific situation, the anxiety can shift from work to relationships, finances, health, family concerns, or everyday responsibilities.
GAD can also affect you physically and mentally. You might experience:
Racing or repetitive thoughts
Difficulty relaxing
Muscle tension or restlessness
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue from feeling mentally “on” all the time
A persistent sense that something could go wrong
For some people, the worry feels so familiar that it’s hard to recognize how much energy it consumes until it begins interfering with work, relationships, sleep, or the ability to enjoy daily life.
How GAD Therapy Can Help
With Generalized Anxiety Disorder counseling, you’ll get a space to look beyond the immediate worries and understand the patterns underneath them. I specialize in psychodynamic therapy and have more than 12 years of experience providing individual psychotherapy. Rather than focusing only on controlling anxiety symptoms, I work with you to explore the emotional experiences, relationships, beliefs, and patterns that contribute to your anxiety.
You can expect therapy to be collaborative and individualized. I follow your lead while helping you examine questions, such as why certain situations trigger intense worry, why uncertainty feels difficult to tolerate, or why you feel responsible for preventing every possible problem.
My approach also incorporates person-centered and existential therapy. Sessions provide a non-judgmental space where you can talk openly about concerns that feel difficult, embarrassing, confusing, or exhausting.
What to Expect From GAD Therapy
Therapy for GAD is not about telling you to simply stop worrying or think positively. Over time, we work toward developing a deeper understanding of your anxiety and a different relationship with the thoughts and emotions behind it.
As therapy progresses, you can:
- Start noticing what tends to set your anxiety in motion and recognize familiar patterns before you become completely caught up in them.
- Understand why certain worries are so hard to let go of, including how past experiences, relationships, expectations, or fears can influence what feels threatening today.
- Feel less controlled by anxious thoughts and “what if” scenarios, so you have more choice in how you respond rather than automatically assuming the worst or trying to prepare for every possibility.
Start Generalized Anxiety Counseling in Pittsburgh, PA
If persistent worry is affecting your ability to relax, focus, sleep, or feel comfortable in your everyday life, therapy can give you a place to understand what’s keeping the anxiety going.
I provide Generalized Anxiety Disorder therapy in Pittsburgh, New Castle, and throughout Pennsylvania through telehealth. Contact Open Horizons Psychotherapy to schedule an appointment and learn more about working together.