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For your convenience, we also offer video or telephone sessions. Call Dr. Randy Katz at (416) 515-2649 Ext. 228 for more details.

416-515-2649 Contact Us
Psychological Clinic |   99 and 101 Dupont St. Toronto, ON M5R 1V4
Child & Adolescents Clinic | 107 Dupont St. Toronto, ON M5R 1V4 Phone: 416-515-2649
The Clinic on Dupont Toronto

ANXIETY THERAPY IN TORONTO

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

It’s a normal and healthy response to stressful situations. Anxiety is an emotional reaction to potentially harmful things or events that invoke the fight-or-flight response. Many people experience anxiety that’s disproportionate to the trigger. For some people, anxiety is severe or enduring. This might indicate that anxiety has crossed over from a normal response to a disorder.

HOW PREVALENT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS?

Anxiety disorders affect 11.6% of Canadian adults each year. Anxiety is one of Canada’s most common mental disorders. More than one-quarter of adults with anxiety report that it has a moderate to a significant impact on their lives. However, many people don’t seek anxiety treatment and live with its often debilitating effects.

anxiety therapy Toronto

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

There are more than 100 symptoms. Many of the more common ones include excessive worrying, avoidance, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, fatigue, muscle tension, and restlessness.

Anxiety can produce many unusual and more distressing symptoms, as well. Panic attacks, heart irregularities, skin rashes, shooting pains, tremors, brain zaps or shivers, phantom smells, and many other symptoms you might never expect can result from the condition. At our anxiety clinic, your therapist can help you identify the symptoms you’re experiencing and whether anxiety might be the cause.

anxiety symptoms

HOW DOES ANXIETY AFFECT PEOPLE’S LIVES?

Anxiety often leads to avoidance of the things and situations that induce stress. For many, this leads to social isolation, exhaustion, negative thinking, low self-esteem, poor social skills, depression, and drug or alcohol abuse, among other problems. If you’re living with any of these effects, anxiety counseling can offer significant relief and move you toward a state of wellness.

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY DISORDERS?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of anxiety disorders. Sometimes it’s caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes or drug withdrawal. There’s also likely a genetic component. However, many other factors increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. These include, but are not limited to, particular personality types or traits, trauma, stress buildup, or having another mental health disorder.

HOW ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS DIAGNOSED?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, which have many similarities. However, each anxiety disorder has its own set of diagnostic criteria. When you meet with our clinician for anxiety treatment, your condition will be assessed based on standardized assessments, diagnostic criteria, and clinical judgment.

HOW IS ANXIETY TREATED?

Psychotherapy is the most common form of anxiety treatment. The most effective psychotherapeutic approaches to treating the condition are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure resistance therapy (ERT), or a combination of the two. Generally, the particular approach is dependent on the specific anxiety disorder, among other factors. Our experienced therapists at The Clinic on Dupont, provide anxiety therapy in Toronto based on these two approaches.

Medication is also sometimes recommended in conjunction with psychotherapy. If you or your therapist feel you would benefit from medication, your therapist will be happy to provide you a referral.

HOW LONG DOES ANXIETY TREATMENT LAST?

Multiple factors may affect the length of your anxiety treatment, such as the specific anxiety disorder and its underlying cause. Clients at our anxiety clinic often see significant improvement within 8 to 12 sessions. Other clients remain in anxiety therapy for several months to adequately address and conquer their anxiety and fears.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF STRESS OR ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS

Although kids can experience most of the same symptoms as adults, it often presents in different ways. Children experiencing anxiety may have difficulty paying attention, feel agitated or restless, cry, throw tantrums, have meltdowns, refuse to go to school or bite their nails. They also can experience physical responses, such as digestive problems, tummy aches, or increased heart rate.

HOW ARE CHILDREN TREATED FOR ANXIETY?

Anxiety treatment for children is similar to adults. CBT works well with kids to help them understand the cause of their anxiety. It also provides them the skills to face their fears and cope better. Our clinic offers anxiety therapy in Toronto for children as well as adults.