CBT FOR ADULT ANXIETY

Why Do I Feel Anxious All the Time?

Many adults feel anxious most days, even when there’s no clear reason to be worried. This usually isn’t because something is wrong; it’s because anxiety has become a learned pattern in the mind and body.

Over time, habits like overthinking, avoiding discomfort, and seeking reassurance can keep your nervous system stuck in “on” mode. These strategies reduce anxiety briefly, but they often make it return more quickly and feel constant.


At Abridged Psychology, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adult anxiety to help people understand what keeps anxiety going and learn practical ways to respond differently, so anxiety no longer runs daily life.


How Anxiety Commonly Shows Up in Adults

Adult anxiety does not always involve panic attacks or obvious fear. More often, it shows up as patterns such as:

  • Constant worry or mental “loops” that are hard to shut off
  • Overthinking decisions or replaying conversations
  • Avoidance of situations, responsibilities, or choices
  • Physical symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, or stomach discomfort
  • Difficulty sleeping or relaxing
  • Reassurance-seeking, checking, or second-guessing
  • Feeling on edge, irritable, or mentally drained

These experiences are common and understandable responses to anxiety. They are not signs of weakness or lack of insight. CBT is specifically designed to address these patterns.

How CBT Helps Adult Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and effective treatments for anxiety in adults.


CBT focuses on the interaction between:

  • Thoughts (how situations are interpreted)
  • Behaviors (avoidance, reassurance, safety behaviors)
  • Physical responses (fight-or-flight activation)

Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, CBT helps adults:

  • Understand how anxiety is maintained
  • Respond differently to anxious thoughts
  • Reduce avoidance and safety behaviors
  • Build tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
  • Regain confidence in daily functioning


CBT is active and skills-based. Progress comes from learning and practicing strategies both in and outside of sessions.

Anxiety Concerns We Commonly Treat in Adults

Our clinicians use CBT to treat a wide range of anxiety-related concerns, including:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic attacks and panic disorder
  • Social anxiety
  • Health anxiety
  • Performance anxiety
  • Stress-related anxiety

When appropriate, treatment may include exposure-based strategies, a core component of CBT for anxiety that is used thoughtfully and collaboratively.


What Adult Anxiety Therapy Looks Like at Abridged Psychology


While treatment is always individualized, CBT for adult anxiety typically includes:

Assessment and goal setting

We start by understanding your symptoms, patterns, and how anxiety affects your daily life.

Understanding the anxiety cycle

You’ll learn how avoidance, reassurance, and overthinking can unintentionally keep anxiety going.

Skill development

Sessions focus on practical tools, such as cognitive strategies, behavioral experiments, emotional regulation skills, and exposure planning when appropriate.


Practice and application

CBT extends beyond the therapy session, with guided practice to support real-world change.

Progress monitoring

We regularly evaluate what’s working and adjust treatment to ensure therapy stays effective and goal-focused.


Is CBT a Good Fit for Adult Anxiety?

CBT may be a good fit if you:

  • Want practical tools rather than open-ended talk therapy
  • Prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach
  • Are willing to practice skills between sessions
  • Want treatment guided by research and outcomes

CBT may not be the best fit if you are looking for a purely exploratory or unstructured therapy approach.

Our Clinical Approach

At Abridged Psychology, adult anxiety treatment is provided by clinicians trained in evidence-based CBT, with experience treating anxiety across a range of severity levels.

We emphasize:

  • Thoughtful assessment
  • Individualized treatment planning
  • Measurement-informed care
  • A balance of compassion and accountability

Our goal is not to eliminate anxiety, but to help you function confidently even when anxiety shows up.

Getting Started

If anxiety is interfering with your work, relationships, or quality of life, CBT may help.

We offer adult anxiety therapy in person, via telehealth, or through a hybrid model, depending on clinical fit and availability.

The first step is a consultation, where we’ll discuss concerns, answer questions, and determine whether CBT is the right approach.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does CBT for adult anxiety take?

CBT is typically more time-limited than other therapy approaches. Many adults see meaningful improvement within several months, depending on symptom severity and consistency of practice.


Will anxiety ever go away completely?

The goal of CBT is not to eliminate anxiety entirely, but to reduce its intensity and impact so it no longer controls behavior or decisions.


Does CBT work if I’ve had anxiety for years?

Yes. CBT can be effective even when anxiety has been present for a long time, as long as you are willing to actively engage in the process.