Anxiety Counselling & Therapy in Calgary
Find relief from worry, fear, and tension.
In-person and online sessions available across Alberta.
Do you feel anxious most of the time?
Do you find yourself worrying constantly about work, health, relationships, or the future?
Is your body often tense — your heart racing, your breath shallow?
Do you avoid situations or rely on coping strategies that only bring short-term relief?
Everyone experiences anxiety at times. But when worry, fear, and tension become overwhelming, constant, or begin interfering with your life, it may be time to reach out for support.
At Zen Psychology in Calgary, I specialize in helping people untangle anxiety and find calm, clarity, and confidence.
Is anxiety stopping your from living the life you want?
Anxiety is common — but it doesn’t have to define you. Therapy helps.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the mind and body’s natural response to stress or threat. It can show up as:
Thoughts: worry, fear, dread, catastrophizing
Emotions: nervousness, unease, irritability
Physical sensations: muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, sweating, stomach issues, sleep problems
Behaviors: avoiding situations, over-preparing, unhealthy coping habits
Unlike fear, which is usually a direct response to real danger, anxiety often lingers and becomes a constant companion — even when no immediate threat is present.
When anxiety gets stuck “on” and starts controlling your choices, therapy can help you reset.
Fear vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Fear is your body’s built-in alarm system. It’s a survival response that helps you take action in the face of real danger.
Anxiety feels similar in the body — racing heart, muscle tension, shortness of breath — but it often shows up without an immediate threat. It’s fueled by worry, “what if” thinking, or internal triggers.
While fear can protect you, anxiety can wear you down and interfere with daily life. Therapy helps you respond differently, so you can regain clarity, calm, and control.
According to the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting over 350 million people worldwide.
What are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety can look different for everyone. Common symptoms include:
Physical: tension, racing heart, sweating, stomach issues, headaches, sleep problems, panic attacks
Psychological: constant worry, irrational fears, dread, nervousness, feeling overwhelmed
Cognitive: overthinking, catastrophizing, difficulty concentrating, poor memory
Behavioral: avoidance of situations, over-preparing, unhealthy coping strategies
What Causes Anxiety?
There isn’t one single cause of anxiety — usually it’s a combination of factors that interact over time. Some of the most common include:
Biological: A family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions, imbalances in brain chemistry, thyroid or hormonal issues, and chronic illness or pain can all increase vulnerability.
Environmental: Stress at work or school, financial pressure, relationship difficulties, traumatic experiences, and major life transitions (such as moving, loss, or becoming a parent) often play a role.
Psychological: Certain thinking patterns — such as overthinking, perfectionism, or catastrophizing — can keep anxiety going. Unresolved emotional pain or earlier adverse experiences can also shape how the nervous system responds to stress.
Substance-related factors: Caffeine, alcohol, drug use, or withdrawal from certain medications can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms.
How Therapy Helps with Anxiety
Anxiety is highly treatable. With the right tools and support, you can change the way you relate to worry and fear. In therapy, you’ll learn how to:
Quiet your mind and reduce racing thoughts
Calm your body and manage physical symptoms
Be present and less reactive
Build resilience and self-compassion
Take meaningful action toward the life you want
I offer anxiety therapy in-person at my Calgary office, and online for clients across Alberta.
Types of Anxiety I Work With
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): persistent worry about everyday life, often paired with fatigue, restlessness, or sleep issues.
Social Anxiety Disorder: fear of embarrassment or judgment in social or performance situations, leading to avoidance or isolation.
Panic Disorder: sudden panic attacks with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fear of losing control.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): intrusive, distressing thoughts paired with repetitive behaviors meant to reduce anxiety.
Phobias: intense fears of objects or situations (e.g. flying, heights, public places) that lead to avoidance and distress.
Ready to Feel More Calm and in Control?
You don’t have to live with constant worry and fear. Anxiety therapy can help you create space, breathe easier, and move toward a life of greater freedom, clarity, and confidence.