Generalized Anxiety Therapy in Kitchener-Waterloo
Regain Your Peace of Mind.
Practical support to help children, teens, and adults overcome generalized anxiety and regain control over their lives. Services are available in-person in Kitchener & Waterloo with secure online therapy across Ontario.
Anxiety can feel overwhelming and weigh you down.
When anxiety takes over, it can make even simple tasks seem daunting. It can create a sense of heaviness that impacts your mood, energy, and confidence, leaving you feeling stuck or powerless. This persistent stress may affect your relationships, school, work, and overall well-being, making it difficult to enjoy life as you once did.
At Colibri NeuroWellness, we can help you develop strategies to manage anxiety and reclaim your sense of calm and control.
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
What Is Generalized Anxiety Therapy?
Anxiety often leads to restlessness and spiralling thoughts.
We know how tough it can be when anxiety starts to take over your life. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by daily stress, finding it hard to keep up with everything, or just want to feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions, we’re here to help.
Therapy for generalized anxiety typically involves evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness, which focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours.
Our caring therapists take the time to get to know you and your unique situation, so we can create a plan that fits your needs. Together we will work on strategies that help you manage anxious feelings, build confidence, and find more calm in your day-to-day life.
- Excessive worry and rumination
- Restlessness, feeling “on edge”, or irritable
- Difficulty controlling anxious or racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoidance behaviors
- Managing stress in daily life
- High anxiety in work, school, and relationships
- Physical discomfort, muscle tension, fatigue, or low energy
- Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
- Difficulty making decisions
- Panic attacks
- Ineffective coping strategies
- Low self-confidence and self-efficacy
- Unsussessful relaxation or mindfulness skills
With Generalized anxiety therapy at colibri neurowellness, We can help you start feeling like yourself again
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
How Can Generalized Anxiety Therapy Help?
Breathe Easy, Feel Calm
Learn Coping Strategies
Generalized Anxiety Therapy at Colibri NeuroWellness teaches practical techniques, such as grounding exercises and problem-solving skills, that help you manage the constant worry and stress often experienced with generalized anxiety. These strategies can make everyday tasks feel less overwhelming.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Your therapist will teach you techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and Mindfulness to help you calm your mind and body when anxiety feels intense or uncontrollable. Regular practice can lower your overall anxiety levels and improve your sense of well-being.
Build Confidence & Self-Esteem
As you develop new skills for managing anxiety, you will begin to trust your ability to handle uncertainty and everyday challenges. This growing confidence will make it easier to engage in work, relationships, and other important areas of life.
Deeper & More Restful Sleep
Anxiety often disrupts sleep, but therapy can provide tools to quiet your mind and relax your body at bedtime. This can lead to more restful nights and feeling refreshed in the morning.
Change Unhelpful Thoughts
Your therapist will work with you to identify persistent negative or irrational thoughts, like expecting the worst or doubting your abilities. By learning to challenge and reframe these thoughts, you can reduce the cycle of worry that characterizes generalized anxiety.
Improve Self-Awareness
Therapy helps you recognize patterns in your anxiety, such as what triggers it and how it affects your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Greater self-awareness enables you to take proactive steps to manage anxiety before it escalates.
Face Anxiety Triggers
Therapy guides you in gently and gradually confronting situations or tasks that you typically avoid due to worry, such as making decisions or meeting deadlines. This approach helps you build tolerance and confidence, so anxiety no longer limits your activities.
Greater Sense of Control
As you work through anxiety and learn techniques such as emotional regulation skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), you’ll gain confidence in your ability to handle life’s ups and downs. This greater sense of control can help you feel empowered and more hopeful about your future.
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
How Does Generalized Anxiety Therapy Work?
We use evidence-based approaches that are personalized to you.
We Get to Know You
Our process begins by learning about your experiences with anxiety, including the specific situations that cause you distress. Together, you’ll set clear goals for what you want to achieve in therapy.
We Create A Support Plan
Once your needs and goals are identified, you and your therapist will work together to develop a personalized plan to address the situations that cause you anxiety, including strategies for challenging unhelpful thoughts and setting realistic expectations for progress.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT can help with social anxiety by giving you practical tools to handle strong feelings, cope with uncomfortable moments, and communicate more confidently with others.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Through CBT, you learn to identify and challenge negative beliefs about yourself and how others perceive you, gradually face feared situations in a safe and structured way, and develop coping strategies to manage anxiety symptoms.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT can help with social anxiety by teaching you to accept uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, rather than avoiding or fighting them. ACT encourages you to observe anxious thoughts without self-judgment and to shift your attention toward your values, empowering you to make choices that reflect what matters most to you, even in the presence of anxiety.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness will teach you to focus on the present moment and instead of what might happen in the future or what happened in the past. This practice also helps you become more aware of anxious thoughts and feelings and thoughts as they arise, making it easier to respond calmly rather than react with avoidance or fear.
We Provide Diverse Care
Our approach respects and values diversity, offering support that honors your unique strengths and needs. We create an inclusive environment where you feel understood and accepted, tailoring our care to empower you on your individual journey.
We Help You Move Forward
Generalized anxiety therapy provides a supportive space to explore your worries and learn practical coping strategies. Using evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), your therapist will help you identify anxiety triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and develop skills to manage symptoms so you can feel more confident and in control.
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
Connect With a Generalized Anxiety Therapist for In-Person or Online Sessions
Teodora Kostadinovska
MACP, RP(Q)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Tess Ingram
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Angelina Vaccaro
MSW, RSW, Ph.D. (c)
Registered Social Worker
Di-Anne Martin
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Michelle Helder
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Dana Orton
MACP, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Christina Kahlou
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Leanna Callum
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Andrew Beaver
MA, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Melissa Aguto
M.Sc. (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Our therapists offer specialized generalized anxiety therapy designed to help individuals manage persistent worry and anxiety. We work collaboratively with clients to develop practical coping skills, build resilience, and improve overall well-being, empowering individuals to regain confidence and lead a more balanced life.
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
Questions About Generalized Anxiety Therapy
How does anxiety therapy work?
Anxiety therapy provides a safe and supportive space to talk about your worries and challenges. Your therapist will help you understand what’s causing your anxiety and teach you practical skills to manage it, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness. Together with your therapist, you’ll work on changing unhelpful thinking patterns, learning relaxation techniques, and building confidence so you can feel more in control of your emotions.
What if I feel nervous talking about my anxiety?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure about opening up, especially at first. Therapists are trained to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, and you can share at your own pace. Over time, many people find that talking about their anxiety helps them feel understood and less alone.
What can I expect during my first appointment?
During your first appointment, your therapist will ask questions to get to know you and understand your concerns. You’ll talk about your symptoms, your goals for therapy, and any questions you have. The session is mainly about building trust and making sure you feel comfortable, and you won’t be pressured to share more than you’re ready to.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of anxiety?
Yes, therapy can help with physical symptoms like heart palpitations, muscle tension, trouble sleeping, or feeling restless. Your therapist will teach you strategies to calm your mind and body, which can reduce these symptoms over time.
How long does therapy take before I start to feel better?
Everyone’s experience is different, but many people start to notice improvements within a few weeks. Some changes might happen quickly, while others take more time. Your therapist will work with you to set goals and track your progress so you can see how things are improving as you go.
Do you offer anxiety therapy online?
Yes. Anxiety therapy may be available in person for clients in Kitchener-Waterloo and online across Ontario, depending on clinician fit and availability.
Are College and University Students covered for anxiety therapy/counselling?
Yes. If you have a health insurance plan through your college or university, this often covers therapy and counselling services with Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, and Clinical Psychologists.
However it is always best to confirm with your college or university regarding your coverage details as the coverage amounts are subject to change.
For example, as of the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years:
- Wilfred Laurier University (WLU): Undergraduate students covered under the StudentCare health plan are eligible for 80% coverage per visit up to a maximum of $800 per policy year.
- University of Waterloo (UW): Undergraduate students covered under the WUSA StudentCare health plan are eligible for 80% coverage per visit up to a maximum of $1,250 per policy year. Graduate students under the GSA plan also have coverage up to $1,250 per year at 80% per visit.
Have more questions? See All FAQs
Generalized Anxiety Therapy | Kitchener-Waterloo & Online
Life After Generalized Anxiety Therapy
Life often feels lighter, balanced, and more manageable.
- Feeling calmer and less overwhelmed by worries.
- Improved sleep quality and waking up feeling more rested.
- A clearer mind, making it easier to make decisions, focus on work, and enjoy hobbies.
- A decrease in physical tension, such as a tight chest or clenched jaw.
- Feeling more present and engaged in social situations rather than being distracted by "what-if" worries.
- A more compassionate inner voice, allowing you to be kinder to yourself during difficult moments.
- It's easier to interrupt "doomsday" thinking before it spirals out of control.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Colibri NeuroWellness
How To Get Started
Taking the first step is an important decision, and we are committed to ensuring you feel heard, respected, and supported from your very first interaction with us. To help you find the right fit, we offer several convenient ways to connect with our team.
However you choose to reach out, we look forward to connecting with you and supporting your mental health goals.
226-212-4842
info@colibrineurowellness.com
826 King Street North, Unit 17
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
We provide in-person therapy to those living in Waterloo and surrounding communities – including Kitchener, Cambridge, Elmira, and St. Jacobs – as well as secure virtual therapy for clients located across in Ontario.
Our assessment services are tailored to clinical needs, with psychological assessments utilizing a combination of in-person and virtual components, while nurse practitioner assessments are conducted entirely virtually for your convenience.