Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of related mental-health conditions characterized by excessive fear or anxiety that goes beyond typical stress responses. Anxiety is more than just stress. It’s a powerful internal alarm that can disrupt your work, school, relationships, and sleep. 

You may feel stuck in a cycle of worry, unable to quiet your mind. We understand the physical and emotional toll this takes, and we are here to help you regain control.

At Excel Psychology, we offer multiple services to help you receive a tailored treatment plan for your condition. With offices in Provo, Murray, and Ogden in Utah, we provide accessible support for anxiety across life stages. 

When Worry Overwhelms - Recognizing Anxiety

Anxiety in small doses is a normal part of life. Stress before a big presentation or nervousness before meeting new people are normal and expected reactions for most people. However, when worry, fear, or avoidance become chronic, change how you function, or prevent you from living the life you want, it may be an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety often manifests as:

• Emotional symptoms: Constant or excessive worry, irritability, feeling on edge
• Cognitive symptoms: Rumination, difficulty concentrating, expecting the worst
• Physical symptoms: Racing heartbeat, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, sweating
• Behavioural symptoms: Avoidance of situations, withdrawing socially, panic responses

How Anxiety Affects Life & When to Seek Help

Left untreated, anxiety disorders can impact relationships, academic or work performance, physical health (e.g., sleep, digestion, immune system), and overall quality of life. Here are some warning signs that it’s time to reach out for professional help:

• You avoid places or people that trigger fear
• You’re frequently in “fight/flight” mode
• Your anxiety prevents you from doing things you used to enjoy
• Your anxiety interferes with school, work, or everyday tasks

Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat

At Excel Psychology, we provide evidence-based treatment for:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) or Social Phobia
• Panic Disorder
• Specific Phobias (e.g., crowds, heights, flying, animals)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

We also assess and treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This condition is in a category of its own, but is heavily associated with anxiety.

Testing & Therapy Under One Roof

At Excel Psychology, we evaluate your symptoms by assessing how they show up in your life and whether there are underlying contributing factors. Anxiety symptoms frequently overlap with other conditions like ADHD, depression, PTSD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learning disorders. This overlap can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

Excel Psychology's unique value is its ability to offer both diagnostic clarity and effective treatment under the umbrella of one practice. Offering multiple methods of approaching the problem ensures that we address the underlying problem, not just its symptoms.

While medication and therapy are crucial, effective treatment requires an accurate diagnosis. We have the option to begin with a thorough evaluation that includes screening tools, medical history, and behavioral patterns. We discuss what’s driving the anxiety, your goals, and how we’ll approach change together. 

Thorough psychological testing can help to lay the foundation for a more precise plan. Our psychological testing is designed to look beneath the surface of your symptoms. It helps:

• Rule out co-occurring conditions
• Identify specific anxiety disorders
• Plan the most effective treatment
• Document the need for exam or workplace accommodations

A thorough assessment can lay the foundation to design a tailored treatment plan, informed by data and your specific life context.

Evidence-Based Treatment Options

Clearly understanding your diagnosis can be instrumental in guiding you through treatment using research-backed methods proven to manage anxiety and restore peace. You’ll engage in weekly (or as-agreed) sessions, build skills, and apply them in real-life settings.

We offer specialized, evidence-based therapy, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Learn to identify and challenge the negative thought patterns that fuel your anxiety.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Develop emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills to help manage intense emotions and reduce anxiety.
• Solution-Focused Therapy: Build on your existing strengths to create practical, achievable steps toward your goals and focus on solutions rather than problems.
• Couples and Family Counseling: Address how anxiety affects your relationships and work together to build a supportive family system.

Our therapists hold advanced credentials (LMFT and LCSW). They review your progress regularly, adjust the plan as needed, and develop relapse-prevention strategies to help you maintain your gains.

What Sets Our Anxiety Services Apart?

We specialize in complex cases. We excel at diagnosing cases where anxiety co-occurs with, or may be mistaken for, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Trauma-Related Disorders, OCD, or learning disorders. We offer clarity when other evaluations may be inconclusive.

Our appointments usually have shorter wait times. We know waiting increases anxiety. Our streamlined process allows you to schedule your evaluation and begin treatment sooner than most clinics in Utah.

We offer a comprehensive, multi-method process. During our thorough evaluations, we don't rely on just one test. Our evaluations combine interviews, standardized testing, and in-depth personal history reviews to create a clear and nuanced understanding of your needs.

We are connectors. We are committed to your well-being. If we determine that a specialized service outside of Excel Psychology would be a better fit for your needs, we will actively connect you with a trusted resource.

Managing Anxiety Disorders in Utah

You don't have to live with the constant weight of anxiety. Starting with an evaluation or consultation is the first step toward getting clear answers and effective treatment.

With convenient locations in Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, we make specialized mental health care accessible throughout Utah. To schedule an appointment, please call our office or complete our online form.