Anxiety Therapy in Prince George: Find Relief and Build Lasting Resilience
If anxiety has become a constant companion—racing thoughts that won't quiet, tension you can't shake, worry that steals your sleep—you're not alone. And you're not broken. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek counselling, and with the right support, it's highly treatable.
At Arnica Counselling in Prince George, we provide compassionate, evidence-based anxiety therapy to help you move from surviving to thriving. Whether you're experiencing panic attacks, social anxiety, constant worry, or physical symptoms like a racing heart and tight chest, our registered clinical counsellors are here to help.
We offer both in-person anxiety counselling in Prince George and online therapy throughout British Columbia—because getting help shouldn't depend on where you live.
Ready to take the first step? BOOK NOW or call us at 250-562-1800.
Understanding Anxiety: More Than Just Worry
Anxiety isn't a character flaw or a sign of weakness—it's your nervous system working overtime to protect you. The problem is when that alarm system gets stuck in the "on" position, responding to everyday situations as if they were threats.
Physical symptoms of anxiety often include:
• Racing or pounding heart
• Muscle tension, especially in shoulders, jaw, or chest
• Digestive issues, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Shortness of breath or feeling like you can't get enough air
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling "unreal"
Mental and emotional symptoms often include:
• Racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating
• Constant worry about things that might go wrong
• Feeling on edge, irritable, or easily overwhelmed
• Avoiding situations, places, or activities because of fear
• Difficulty making decisions, even small ones
Does this sound familiar? If anxiety is affecting your daily life, relationships, or work, therapy can help you understand what's happening and give you concrete tools to find relief.
How Anxiety Therapy Can Help
Anxiety therapy isn't about "just relaxing" or "thinking positive." It's about understanding how your thoughts, body, and behaviors work together to create and maintain anxiety—and learning practical strategies to interrupt that cycle.
Research consistently shows that counselling is highly effective for anxiety. Many clients experience significant improvement within 12-16 sessions, and some notice relief even sooner. The skills you learn in therapy aren't just temporary fixes—they're tools you'll carry with you for life.
Therapy works because it addresses anxiety at multiple levels:
Your thoughts: Learning to recognize and challenge the "what if" thinking that fuels anxiety
Your body: Calming your nervous system and reducing physical symptoms
Your behaviors: Breaking the avoidance patterns that keep anxiety alive
Our Approach to Anxiety Treatment
At Arnica Counselling, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Your anxiety is unique to you, and your treatment should be too. Our registered clinical counsellors draw from several evidence-based approaches to create a personalized plan that fits your needs:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is considered the gold standard for anxiety treatment. It helps you identify the thought patterns that trigger and maintain your anxiety, then teaches you how to evaluate and respond to those thoughts differently. Instead of "What if something terrible happens?" you'll learn to ask "What evidence do I actually have?" and "How have I handled challenges before?"
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Anxiety often pulls us into the future—worrying about what might happen. Mindfulness brings you back to the present moment, where you can respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically. We teach practical grounding techniques you can use anywhere, whether you're at work, at home, or in a challenging situation.
Somatic and Body-Based Techniques
Because anxiety lives in your body as much as your mind, we incorporate techniques that help regulate your nervous system. This might include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or body awareness practices that help you recognize early warning signs and calm your physical stress response.
Gradual Exposure
Avoidance is anxiety's best friend—the more you avoid what scares you, the bigger it grows. When appropriate, we use gentle, gradual exposure to help you face feared situations at a pace that feels manageable. This isn't about forcing you into anything; it's about building confidence through experience.
What to Expect in Anxiety Therapy
First Session: Your first appointment is about building safety and understanding. Your counsellor will ask about your anxiety symptoms, history, and what you're hoping to achieve. You won't be pushed to share anything you're not ready for—this is about creating a foundation of trust.
Ongoing Sessions: Together, you'll work on understanding your anxiety patterns, learning new skills, and practicing them in your daily life. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and may include discussion, skill-building exercises, and planning for real-world practice.
Between Sessions: Real change happens between sessions. Your counsellor may suggest simple exercises to practice—nothing overwhelming, just opportunities to build new habits and test out what you're learning.
Timeline: Most clients see meaningful improvement within 12-16 sessions. Some feel relief sooner; some benefit from longer support. We'll regularly check in about your progress and adjust our approach as needed.
Who Benefits from Anxiety Therapy?
Anxiety therapy can help if:
• You avoid situations, places, or activities you used to enjoy because of anxiety
• You experience physical symptoms like racing heart, tension, or digestive issues that doctors can't explain
• You can't seem to "turn off" your worried thoughts, even when you know they're not rational
• Your anxiety is affecting your relationships, work, or ability to enjoy life
• You feel exhausted from constant hypervigilance and tension
• You've tried self-help strategies—apps, books, breathing exercises—without lasting relief
• You've experienced panic attacks and fear having another one
You don't need to be in crisis to seek help. In fact, addressing anxiety early often means faster progress and better outcomes.
Why Choose Arnica Counselling for Anxiety Treatment
Experienced, Registered Counsellors
Our team includes Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) and Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) with specialized training in anxiety treatment. [Visit our team page to learn more about our counsellors and their areas of expertise.]
Evidence-Based Approaches
We use therapeutic approaches that research has proven effective—not just "talk therapy," but structured, skill-building treatment that produces real results.
Northern BC Focus
Based in Prince George, we understand the unique challenges of accessing mental health support in Northern BC. We serve clients in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Quesnel, and surrounding communities—both in-person and through secure online therapy.
Compassionate, Non-Judgmental Support
We won't tell you to "just relax" or dismiss what you're experiencing. Anxiety is real, it's exhausting, and it deserves to be taken seriously. Our counsellors create a safe space where you can explore your experiences without judgment.
Flexible Options
We offer in-person sessions in Prince George and online therapy throughout BC. Most extended health insurance plans cover RCC services, and we provide receipts for your claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most clients see significant improvement within 12-16 sessions. Some people notice relief within the first few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your counsellor will work with you to set realistic goals and track your progress.
Not necessarily. Therapy alone is highly effective for many people with anxiety. Some clients find a combination of therapy and medication works best for them. We can work collaboratively with your doctor if medication is something you want to explore, but there's no pressure either way.
There are many different therapeutic approaches, and the right fit matters. Specialized anxiety treatment is different from general "talk therapy." If previous therapy didn't help, it may be that a different approach—like CBT or exposure-based work—will be more effective for you.
Research shows that online therapy is equally effective as in-person therapy for anxiety. Many clients actually find it more comfortable, especially if social anxiety is part of what you're dealing with. Online sessions also eliminate travel time and make therapy accessible no matter where you live in BC.
If anxiety is affecting your daily life—your work, relationships, sleep, or ability to enjoy things—it's worth addressing. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. In fact, getting help earlier often means faster progress.
Most extended health benefit plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) services. We provide receipts that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
Meet Our Counsellors
Take the First Step Toward Relief
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