Anxiety Therapist in Centennial, CO
The racing thoughts, the tight chest before a hard conversation, the worry that won't fully switch off. Anxiety rarely shows up alone, and it doesn't have to run the show.
The Weight You're Carrying
Anxiety isn't just worry. It's the mind that won't stop running through what could go wrong, replaying a conversation from this morning or rehearsing one that hasn't happened yet. It's the tension in your shoulders you don't notice until it aches, the shallow breath before a hard decision, the restlessness at 2 a.m. when your body is exhausted but your thoughts refuse to slow down.
It rarely stays contained. It shows up in how you show up in relationships, how you make decisions, how much is actually left over at the end of the day. Many of the people I work with describe spending so much energy appearing fine that there's little left for anything else.
You don't have to keep performing calm.
Does This Sound Familiar?
- Racing thoughts that won't quiet down at night
- A tight chest or racing heart before a hard conversation or big decision
- Anxiety that showed up after a breakup, loss, or major life change
- Constant worry about your relationships, even when things are actually fine
- Feeling anxious in your body even when you can't point to a clear reason why
Imagine waking up without already bracing for the day.
Calm isn't about eliminating every worry. It's about no longer letting anxiety run the show.
Types of Anxiety We Treat
Anxiety doesn't show up the same way for everyone. It follows different patterns, and understanding yours is often the first real step toward feeling better. You don't need to know exactly which one fits before reaching out, that's something we can sort out together.
Generalized Anxiety
A steady hum of worry that follows you through the day, touching work, relationships, health, or things that haven't even happened yet. It often comes with physical tension and a hard time switching off.
Social Anxiety
More than shyness. A real fear of being judged or embarrassed that can make meetings, gatherings, or even small talk feel exhausting to get through.
Panic Disorder
Sudden waves of intense fear, a racing heart, shortness of breath, that can feel like something is seriously wrong, plus the dread of when the next one might hit.
Phobias
An intense, specific fear, flying, heights, needles, that feels out of proportion to the actual risk but is very real in the moment it hits.
OCD
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts paired with rituals meant to quiet them. It's often misunderstood as being about tidiness, but it can be distressing and time-consuming to live with.
If none of these feel like an exact match, that's completely normal. Many people experience some overlap, and we'll work out the pattern together. You don't need the right label before reaching out.
How I Approach Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety rarely shows up in isolation. In my practice, I most often see it tangled up with a relationship, a life transition, or an old wound that hasn't fully healed. That's why I don't treat anxiety as a symptom to manage in a vacuum.
My approach is attachment-based and trauma-informed: we look at where the anxiety is actually coming from, whether that's a relationship pattern, unprocessed trauma, or depression running alongside it, and build practical, CBT-informed tools from there. The goal isn't to eliminate every worry, it's to help you build a different relationship with the discomfort, so it stops running the show.
Let's Talk About What's Next
A free 20-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to see if we're a good fit, no commitment beyond that conversation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
If your worries are starting to feel like a second job, or if you're constantly exhausted from overthinking, it's "bad enough." You don't have to wait for a panic attack or a total burnout to reach out. Therapy is about making your life easier now, not just fixing things when they're broken.
It's a conversation, not an interrogation. We'll talk about what's triggering those feelings, but we'll also focus on the "here and now." You'll walk away with real, physical tools to help you breathe and stay grounded when that familiar wave of panic starts to rise.
While understanding your past can help explain why your brain reacts the way it does, we won't get stuck there. Our focus at Collaborate Counseling is on giving you relief in your daily life today. We look back only to help you move forward.
Everyone is different, but many people feel a sense of relief just by having a safe space to vent. Within a few sessions, you'll likely start noticing small shifts—like catching an anxious thought before it spirals or finally getting a good night's sleep.
That is completely normal—and honestly, it's a great place to start. We're experts at helping people navigate that initial "first-session jitters." Whether we're meeting in person in Centennial or online, our priority is making sure you feel safe and heard from the very first minute. You don't have to have it all together to walk through our door.
Think of it more like gaining a superpower. Our goal isn't to erase every worry you'll ever have (that's just being human), but to change your relationship with anxiety. Instead of it being a monster that controls your day, it becomes a small background noise that you know exactly how to handle. You'll gain tools to stay steady, even when life gets shaky.
Payments & Rates
I want to be transparent about my current availability—I have limited space for clients using insurance but more availability for private pay clients.
While I understand that using insurance can be important for many, private pay offers several benefits. It allows for greater flexibility in treatment, ensuring that your therapy is tailored to your unique needs rather than being limited by insurance restrictions. Private pay also provides more privacy, as your records are not shared with insurance companies, and it eliminates the potential for session limits or diagnosis requirements imposed by insurers.
If you're considering using out-of-network benefits, I have an insurance benefits calculator available to help you determine your coverage. You can use it to check if your insurance plan offers reimbursement for therapy sessions.
If you have any questions or want to explore your options, please reach out—I'd be happy to help!
Get Started with a Free Consultation
Not sure if therapy is right for you? We offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your concerns and how we can assist. Contact us today at carolyn@collaboratecounseling.com and discover how we can help you on your journey toward better emotional health.
Contact a Couples Communication Skills Therapist in Centennial, CO
Carolyn S. Riviere, Licensed Therapist
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