This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional. If this is an emergency, call 911 or 988.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.
Therapy is a first-line treatment for anxiety, and it works well for most people. The most studied approaches — cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure techniques — give you practical skills to face worry rather than avoid it. You don’t have to know which therapy is right before you start; a professional can help you choose, and reaching out is the first step.
Your treatment options
Several evidence-based therapies help with anxiety. You and a clinician pick the fit:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — usually first. The most studied approach for anxiety. It helps you notice and reshape the thought patterns that fuel worry, and build coping skills you keep for life.
- Exposure therapy. A structured, gradual approach that is especially effective for phobias, panic, and social anxiety — you face feared situations in small, manageable steps so they lose their grip.
- Acceptance- and mindfulness-based approaches. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and related methods help you relate to anxious thoughts differently rather than fight them.
- Therapy plus medication. For moderate to severe anxiety, many people do best combining therapy with anxiety medication.
Not sure where to begin? See the full picture in anxiety treatment, or talk it through with someone.
What happens when you call
If you use the helpline on this page, here’s exactly what to expect — no surprises:
- A treatment specialist answers and asks a few questions about what you’re going through and the kind of help you want.
- It’s a no-pressure conversation. There’s no obligation to start therapy, and you can stop any time.
- This is an advertising-supported service: calls are answered by a paid advertiser, not by Get Mental Help, and we don’t take a fee based on which provider you choose. If you’d rather not use it, the free SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) and 988 are always available.
Check in on your symptoms
Not sure how much your anxiety is affecting you? Take a private, two-minute, non-diagnostic anxiety self-check. Nothing is saved, and it can help you decide whether to reach out.
Find anxiety help in your state
Therapist availability, costs, and coverage differ by state. Use Find Help by State for the mental-health agency, Medicaid coverage, crisis lines, and free or low-cost options where you live — part of our State of Mental Health Access data.
What treatment costs
Therapy costs depend on the provider, your insurance, and your state, so there’s no single number. A few things that help:
- Insurance and Medicaid generally cover mental health therapy; coverage varies by plan and state.
- Free and low-cost options exist everywhere — community mental health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), university training clinics, and sliding-scale therapists.
- Telehealth has widened access, and a specialist (or your state’s resources) can help you find care that fits your budget.
From our clinical review. People often expect therapy to mean talking endlessly about the past. Good anxiety therapy is more like coaching — you practice specific skills and, step by step, do the things anxiety has been telling you to avoid. That’s where the relief comes from.
If you’re ready, talk to someone about starting therapy now — it’s free to call and there’s no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best therapy for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), especially with exposure techniques, is the most evidence-based therapy for anxiety disorders. The right approach still depends on the person and the type of anxiety, and a professional can help you choose.
How long does therapy for anxiety take?
Many people see meaningful improvement within a few weeks to a few months. CBT for anxiety is often delivered over roughly 8 to 16 sessions, though this varies with the severity and type of anxiety and your goals.
Does therapy work without medication?
For many people, yes. Therapy alone — particularly CBT and exposure-based approaches — can be highly effective. Others do best with therapy and medication together. A clinician can help you weigh the options.
Sources
- Anxiety Disorders — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Anxiety — American Psychological Association (APA)
- Psychotherapy / Treatment — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Anxiety — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Reviewed against the sources above. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.