Is Anxiety Impacting Your Daily Life?

Anxiety can feel like a constant, unwelcome companion. It shows up as racing thoughts, overwhelming worries, or even physical symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and a pounding heart. At its worst, anxiety can make even small decisions or tasks feel impossible. At Petal & Peak Mental Health, we understand how anxiety and panic can take over your life—and we’re here to help you take it back.

Our therapists specialize in working with individuals ages 15+ who are navigating anxiety or panic attacks. Using evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, and mindfulness techniques, we’ll work together to help you understand your anxiety, manage it effectively, and create lasting relief.

What Anxiety and Panic Can Look Like

Anxiety can affect your life in many ways, from emotional and mental struggles to physical and behavioral symptoms. Some common experiences include:

• Physical Symptoms: Muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, or fatigue.
• Emotional Symptoms: Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or constantly worried.
• Cognitive Symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, intrusive thoughts, or catastrophizing ("what-if" thinking).
• Behavioral Symptoms: Avoiding social situations, procrastination, or perfectionism.

For those experiencing panic attacks, the symptoms can feel especially overwhelming: trembling, sweating, dizziness, or a sense of losing control. You may even find yourself avoiding situations for fear of triggering another episode.

Anxiety affects everyone differently, but no matter how it shows up for you, therapy can help you regain a sense of control, calm, and confidence.

Our Approach to Anxiety and Panic Therapy

At Petal & Peak Mental Health, we take a personalized, holistic approach to anxiety therapy. Our evidence-based methods are designed to not only alleviate symptoms but also address the root causes of your anxiety. Here’s how we can help:

1. Internal Family Systems (IFS): Understanding the “Parts” of You

Anxiety often arises from conflicting parts of your internal world. Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you explore these parts with compassion and curiosity.

How it works:

• Identify the parts of you that feel anxious, fearful, or critical.
• Develop a relationship with these parts to better understand their intentions and needs.
• Foster self-compassion and harmony between these internal parts.

Example: Your "perfectionist part" might trigger anxiety because it fears failure, while another part might avoid tasks to protect you from stress. IFS helps these parts work together rather than against each other.

2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Embracing Your Experience

Anxiety often involves struggling against unwanted thoughts and feelings, which can intensify the discomfort. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches you to:

• Accept anxious thoughts and emotions without judgment.
• Identify your core values and align your actions with them.
• Build psychological flexibility to respond to anxiety in healthier ways.

Example: Instead of avoiding a feared situation, ACT helps you accept the discomfort and take steps that align with your values—like pursuing a meaningful relationship or career goal.

3. Narrative Therapy: Rewriting the Story of Your Anxiety

The way you view your anxiety shapes how you experience it. Narrative therapy focuses on externalizing anxiety, helping you see it as something you have rather than something you are.

How it works:

• Explore the story you’ve been telling yourself about your anxiety.
• Identify the ways anxiety has shaped your life and how you want to rewrite that story.
• Create a new narrative that reflects your strengths, values, and resilience.

Example: Instead of seeing yourself as "controlled by anxiety," narrative therapy helps you reframe the story to recognize your courage in facing challenges and the tools you’re building to navigate life.

4. Mindfulness and Nervous System Regulation

Anxiety often keeps your body in a state of high alert, making it difficult to relax. Mindfulness techniques and nervous system regulation can help you create moments of calm and reset your body’s stress response.

Techniques we use:

• Guided breathing exercises to calm your heart rate and nervous system.
• Progressive muscle relaxation to release tension.
• Visualization exercises to ground yourself during moments of panic.

Example: During a panic attack, focusing on your breath and practicing visualization techniques can help the wave of anxiety pass more quickly.

Who We Serve

We work with individuals ages 15 and older who are experiencing anxiety, panic, or related challenges. Whether you’re a teen facing academic stress, a young adult adjusting to life transitions, or someone managing work and family pressures, we’re here to support you.

Why Choose Petal & Peak Mental Health?

We know that anxiety therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we tailor our approach to meet your unique needs, combining proven methods like IFS, ACT, narrative therapy, and mindfulness. At Petal & Peak, we see you as a whole person—not just a diagnosis—and provide compassionate, expert care to help you thrive.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. At Petal & Peak Mental Health, we’re here to help you find relief, build resilience, and reclaim joy. With evidence-based approaches and personalized care, we’ll work together to create a life where anxiety doesn’t hold you back.

Schedule a free consultation today and start your journey toward peace and confidence.