Therapy for Anxiety in Chevy Chase: Understanding, Coping & Healing

If you’re here, chances are that anxiety—whether yours or a loved one’s—has started to take up more space than it should. You’re not alone. At Ballast Health and Wellness, we provide compassionate and evidence-based therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase, helping adolescents, young adults, and their families find relief, clarity, and confidence again.

What Is Anxiety, Really?

Anxiety is a natural human response to stress—something we all experience from time to time. It’s that rush before a big test, a job interview, or when you’re about to have a difficult conversation. But when those anxious feelings stick around even when there’s no real threat—or start interfering with your day-to-day life—that’s when anxiety becomes something more than just nerves.

Anxiety can be caused by a combination of factors:

• Genetics and family history

• Brain chemistry and overactive nervous system responses

• Life experiences such as trauma or chronic stress

• Ongoing health issues, social pressure, or major life transitions

While occasional stress is normal, anxiety becomes a mental health concern when it’s frequent, intense, and difficult to manage. This is where therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase can help you find your footing again.

How Do You Know If You Have Anxiety?

Anxiety shows up differently for everyone, but here are some common signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Constant worry, even about small things

• Trouble sleeping or racing thoughts at night

• Feeling restless, on edge, or easily startled

• Difficulty concentrating

• Avoiding places or situations that feel stressful

• Feeling like your mind is spinning, but you can’t make it stop

There are also physical symptoms that can be confusing or even alarming:

• Headaches or stomachaches with no clear cause

• Tight chest or racing heartbeat

• Feeling dizzy or nauseous

• Muscle tension or shakiness

• Cold sweats or numbness in fingers

It’s not uncommon for people to wonder if they’re sick—or even having a heart attack—when what they’re really experiencing is anxiety. Therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase can help you sort through these experiences, understand what’s happening in your body and brain, and begin to heal.

The Different Types of Anxiety

Anxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are several distinct types of anxiety disorders, and understanding which one you might be dealing with is an important part of effective treatment.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Constant worry about everyday things, even when there’s no clear reason.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings.

• Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense episodes of fear and physical symptoms known as panic attacks.

• Specific Phobias: Intense fear of a particular thing or situation (like flying, heights, or needles).

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Although not an anxiety disorder, OCD involves unwanted repetitive thoughts and behaviors, and can sometimes look like anxiety or co-occur with anxiety.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Although also not an anxiety disorder, PTSD can co-occur with anxiety and sometimes look like anxiety because of the experience of panic and fear.

At Ballast Health and Wellness, our clinicians are trained to assess, diagnose, and provide personalized therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase, so you can begin a path that fits your unique experience.

Why Does Anxiety Get Worse at Night?

Many people say their anxiety peaks when the world gets quiet—especially at bedtime. This can be due to a number of reasons:

• Fewer distractions mean more space for racing thoughts

• The body is winding down, but the brain stays alert

• Unprocessed stress from the day catches up

• Sleep struggles create a cycle of worry and exhaustion

Our therapists can help you understand your anxiety patterns and develop strategies that improve both your mental clarity and your ability to rest.

Can You Treat Anxiety Naturally?

Although everyone’s situation is unique, you can absolutely take steps to treat anxiety naturally. While therapy and medication can be part of effective treatment, many people find relief from anxiety using natural and behavioral strategies, including:

• Regular movement or exercise to calm the nervous system

• Mindfulness and breathing techniques to slow racing thoughts

• Limiting caffeine and alcohol, which can trigger anxiety

• Building a calming bedtime routine

• Creating structure and predictable routines

These are often the first steps we incorporate in therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase—offering immediate tools to reduce symptoms while working on the deeper roots of anxiety.

Do I Need Medication?

This is a common question for people experiencing anxiety.

The truth is, not everyone with anxiety needs medication. For many, therapy alone is enough to bring significant relief and long-term growth. However, in some cases, medication can be helpful—especially if anxiety is interfering with daily functioning or preventing progress in therapy.

If you’re unsure, our team at Ballast Health and Wellness will walk you through your options. While we do not prescribe medication and will not give you recommendations on medication, we will work closely with your psychiatrist and other prescribers to ensure you get the best care possible for your anxiety.

What Therapy Is Best for Anxiety?

At our practice, we use a variety of evidence-based therapies to treat anxiety. Each client’s treatment is personalized, but here are a few of the approaches we often use:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Teaches you how to identify and reframe anxious thinking

• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Helps you stay grounded in the present moment

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on building a meaningful life while navigating anxiety

• Somatic Therapy: Works with the body’s nervous system to release stored tension and stress

• EMDR Therapy: Gently supports reprocessing the underlying issues of your anxiety.

We also integrate creative and experiential approaches like psychodrama, especially with adolescents who may benefit from nonverbal or interactive forms of therapy.

Coping Strategies You Can Start Today

While therapy is an important foundation, here are some coping skills that can help manage anxiety day to day:

1. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique – Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste

2. Box Breathing – Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4

3. Journaling – Get those racing thoughts out of your head and onto paper

4. Movement – A short walk, stretching, or yoga can reset your nervous system

5. Label Your Feelings – Just saying “I’m feeling anxious” can reduce its intensity

Our therapists teach and tailor coping skills like these in therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase, helping you build a toolkit that’s practical and personal.

Why Therapy for Anxiety Works

If the resources you already have just aren’t working anymore, therapy can help. Talking with a therapist isn’t just about venting. In fact, the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most powerful tools for healing anxiety. Therapy offers:

• A non-judgmental space to explore what’s driving your anxiety

• A chance to rewrite unhelpful thought patterns

• Tools to regulate your nervous system and shift your perspective

• A partnership in figuring out what matters most and how to live more fully

When anxiety takes over, it narrows your world. Therapy helps you open it back up—with support, structure, and hope.

Get Help for Anxiety at Ballast Health and Wellness

Whether you’re a teenager feeling overwhelmed by school and social pressures, a young adult struggling with panic attacks, or a parent trying to support a child through their anxiety—we’re here for you.

At Ballast Health and Wellness, we specialize in therapy for anxiety in Chevy Chase. Our therapists are warm, skilled, and deeply committed to helping clients regain a sense of calm, confidence, and control. We know that anxiety can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Take the First Step

If you're ready to start feeling better, let’s talk. Schedule an appointment with Ballast Health and Wellness today and begin your journey toward freedom from anxiety. Together, we’ll help you understand what’s going on, learn how to manage it, and build a life that anxiety doesn’t control.