ANXIETY & STRESS THERAPY
Anxiety can shape a person’s days in quiet and persistent ways. Some feel a constant buzz of worry. Others feel tightness in the chest or pit in the stomach. You might lie awake with your mind racing, or you might feel pressure to constantly stay in control. Many people describe a feeling of being on edge or braced for something they cannot name. These patterns often begin in earlier experiences and settle into the nervous system.
At Ottawa Therapy Collective, we offer anxiety and stress therapy in Ottawa that brings together neuroscience, IFS, and grounded support so anxiety and stress feel less overpowering.
When Anxiety Feels Bigger Than the Moment
Anxiety is not only a thought pattern. It lives in the body. You might notice:
A feeling of fear that seems to come out of nowhere
A sense of overwhelm in everyday situations
Ongoing restlessness
Panic sensations that leave you drained
A need to keep busy to avoid feeling flooded
These reactions can feel confusing or frustrating. They often reflect a nervous system that learned to stay alert to keep you protected. Therapy helps you understand these patterns with compassion so they begin to soften.
How Stress Shapes the Mind and Body
Chronic stress can activate the nervous system into survival mode. You might feel:
Tension that never fully releases
Trouble focusing
Irritability
Tight or shallow breathing
A heavy tiredness
Emotional numbness
Difficulty settling at night
When stress becomes chronic, it can feel like your system is stuck. Through stress counselling in Ottawa, we explore what your mind and body have been carrying and support a more settled state.
What Relief Can Look Like
Anxiety and stress can shift when the nervous system feels understood. You might notice:
More space between a trigger and your reaction
Easier breathing
A quieter inner world
Steadier sleep
Clearer communication with others
More confidence in your ability to handle difficult moments
Increased ability to manage time and attention
These changes happen gradually as your system learns a new rhythm.
Our Approach to Anxiety and Stress Therapy
Our therapists bring together neuroscience, Internal Family Systems, and nervous-system-informed care. These approaches help clients understand the roots of their anxiety rather than simply managing surface symptoms. Many of our clients also ask for support through Individual Therapy.
Neuroscience and Bodily Awareness
When anxiety rises quickly, the body often reacts before thoughts catch up. Therapy helps you recognize:
Early cues of activation
Patterns that pull you into fear or worry
What helps bring your system back to steadiness
This understanding supports gentle rewiring through neuroplasticity.
IFS and Parts That Carry Anxiety
In Internal Family Systems, anxiety is often held by parts of you that work hard to keep you protected. These parts might worry, anticipate, or try to control situations. In therapy, you get to know these inner voices with warmth. As these parts feel understood, they ease up. This process naturally lightens anxiety.
Somatic and Polyvagal Support
Your body has clear signals that shape how anxious or grounded you feel. Through somatic work and polyvagal awareness, you learn:
How to recognize cues of tension
How to soothe overwhelm
How to reconnect with a calmer internal state
These practices support emotional steadiness.
CBT and DBT for Anxiety Support
Some clients benefit from practical strategies alongside deeper inner work:
CBT is helpful for noticing thought patterns that fuel fear
DBT is helpful for grounding, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation
These methods blend well with IFS and nervous-system-informed care.
Why Ottawa Therapy Collective
Our team offers a warm, curious space where your anxiety is taken seriously and never minimized. We bring advanced training in IFS, attachment, somatic awareness, and brain-based approaches. Whether you’re coping with panic, chronic worry, or a sense of being stretched too thin, you’ll have support that sees the whole picture.
In-person sessions are available in Centretown, and virtual sessions are offered across Ontario.
Begin Anxiety and Stress Therapy in Ottawa
Anxiety can feel isolating, yet it softens when you have a place to slow down and understand what is happening inside you. If you’re ready to talk with a therapist, we welcome you.
FAQs About Anxiety and Stress Therapy in Ottawa
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A therapeutic approach that helps you understand how anxiety shows up in your body and thoughts and how to work with it more effectively.
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You might notice ongoing worry, panic sensations, irritability, tension, or feeling easily overwhelmed.
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Sessions often include grounding practices, gentle exploration of inner patterns, and practical tools that help you feel steadier.
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Each person responds differently. Some notice shifts early. Others need more time and consistency.
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Many insurance plans reimburse sessions with Registered Psychotherapists.
Reach out for a complimentary 20-minute telephone consultation
We’ll explore the reasons for seeking support for nervous system healing and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.