Anxiety Disorders: Beyond Traditional Exposure Therapy – Finding Lasting Freedom

Expert, Integrative Anxiety Therapy in Denver

At Denver Emotional Health, our therapists are experts in treating anxiety disorders using evidence-based approaches. We understand that while traditional therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be helpful, they often fall short of addressing the root causes of anxiety, especially when implemented without a foundation of self-compassion. Our approach, grounded in the latest research and refined through countless client successes, goes beyond simply managing symptoms. We guide you on a journey of inner healing, helping you understand the “why” behind your anxiety and empowering you to create a life of greater peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

Why Choose Denver Emotional Health for Anxiety Treatment?

Many individuals with anxiety disorders have tried traditional talk therapy or even exposure therapy without experiencing lasting relief. Some have even found that exposure therapy, when done without a focus on inner understanding and self-compassion, can be re-traumatizing or exacerbate their anxiety. This is because traditional, supportive talk therapy is often ineffective for most forms of anxiety, and exposure, while a powerful tool, can be too harsh or mechanistic when not integrated with a more holistic framework.

We frequently work with clients who have had these experiences and are seeking a more comprehensive and compassionate approach. Whether you’re dealing with a new case of anxiety, a long-standing history of struggle, or anxiety that shifts from one focus to another, our specialized, integrative protocols can help.

Normal Anxiety vs. an Anxiety Disorder

Occasional worry and even existential anxiety are natural parts of life. Anxiety, in its healthy form, can motivate us and keep us safe. It’s normal to feel anxious before a big event or an important decision.

However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and interferes with your daily life, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Individuals with anxiety disorders experience worry, fear, or panic that is out of proportion to the situation and often worsens over time, even when there’s no real danger. These symptoms can significantly impact work, school, relationships, and overall well-being.

It is also important to recognize that most therapists are not trained to treat anxiety disorders effectively. Traditional talk therapy and exposure therapy alone are often insufficient without deeper emotional healing. This reality is often overlooked by many exposure therapists, including those at specialized anxiety clinics who may push a one-size-fits all approach without considering individual needs and sensitivities. For a comprehensive and effective treatment for your anxiety, one that addresses both the surface symptoms and the root causes, read on to learn about the specific types of anxiety disorders we treat.

Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by excessive worry about everyday things, often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
• Panic Disorder: Involves sudden and intense episodes of fear (panic attacks) that can include physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and a feeling of impending doom.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): More than just shyness, SAD involves an intense fear of social situations and being judged or scrutinized by others, often leading to avoidance of social interactions.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leading to intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional numbing, and heightened reactivity.
• Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations (e.g., spiders, heights, flying) that lead to significant distress and avoidance.

Our Integrative, Science-Backed Approach: Beyond Symptom Management

We understand that lasting freedom from anxiety requires more than just managing symptoms. It requires a deeper understanding of the underlying causes and a shift in how you relate to your inner experience. Our approach integrates:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS helps you understand the different “parts” of yourself that contribute to your anxiety. You’ll learn that these parts, even the anxious ones, are often trying to protect you in some way. By accessing your core Self—a source of calm, compassion, and wisdom—you can heal the wounded parts driving your anxiety and create a more harmonious inner system.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Exposure: ACT helps you develop psychological flexibility—the ability to accept difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment, while committing to actions that align with your values. We integrate exposure techniques, not as a mechanistic process, but as a way to gradually face your fears with self-compassion and the support of your core Self. This is very different to how traditional ERP is practiced by most clinicians, as most do not have training beyond basic exposure.
• Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: For suitable clients, we offer legal psychedelic-assisted therapies, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. As outlined in [Your Book Title], psychedelic medicines can be powerful tools for healing, particularly when combined with IFS and ACT. They can facilitate breakthroughs in understanding, help process unresolved trauma, and accelerate the therapeutic process. Ketamine can specifically help to augment the work done in IFS and/or exposure therapy.

Our Psychotherapeutic Approach Works We are committed to providing our clients with individualized treatment plans that go beyond traditional talk therapy and even beyond traditional exposure therapy. We begin with a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms and history to develop a plan that is tailored to your needs.

We understand that the natural human instinct is often to try to suppress or avoid anxiety. However, this approach often backfires, leading to a cycle of avoidance that only strengthens the anxiety in the long run. At Denver Emotional Health, we help you break free from this cycle by teaching you how to:

• Recognize your triggers and early warning signs: Learn to identify the situations, thoughts, and feelings that set off your anxiety.
• Disengage from unhelpful thought patterns: Instead of battling your anxious thoughts, you’ll learn to observe them with curiosity and compassion, recognizing that they are not absolute truths.
• Develop self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a close friend.
• Embrace acceptance: Learn to accept the physical sensations of anxiety as they arise, without trying to fight them or run from them.
• Live a values-based life: Connect with what truly matters to you and take action towards your goals, even when anxiety is present.

Getting to the Root of Anxiety: Healing from Within

Unlike many traditional approaches that focus solely on symptom management, our therapists are trained to help you explore the deeper roots of your anxiety. Using IFS, we help you understand how past experiences and relationships have shaped your inner world and contributed to the development of anxious parts.

By fostering a compassionate relationship with these parts, and accessing the wisdom and healing power of your core Self, you can address the underlying causes of your anxiety and create lasting change. We don’t just want to help you tolerate your anxiety; we want to help you heal from it so that it no longer has the same power over you.

Let Us Help You Find Freedom from Anxiety

Choosing the right therapist is an important decision. At Denver Emotional Health, our expert anxiety therapists are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that goes beyond symptom management and addresses the root causes of your suffering.

We offer both in-person therapy in Denver and online therapy for those who prefer the convenience of remote sessions.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how our specialized, integrative approach can help you break free from anxiety and create a life filled with greater peace, joy, and fulfillment.