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Conditions We Treat

Anxiety Treatment in Ottawa

Anxiety can feel all-consuming — constant worry, physical tension, and a mind that won’t quiet down. With the right support, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

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What Is Anxiety?

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is more than everyday stress. While everyone feels nervous before a big event or uncertain during a difficult time, an anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry that interferes with daily life. It can affect how you think, how your body feels, and how you engage with the world around you.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting people of all ages. They can present as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, or specific phobias — and they often co-occur with depression, ADHD, or trauma-related conditions.

At Stradwick Clinic, we understand that anxiety looks different for everyone. Our Ottawa-based team takes a comprehensive approach — looking at the full clinical picture to ensure the support you receive addresses the root of what you’re experiencing, not just the surface symptoms.

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Recognizing the Signs

Do any of these feel familiar?

Anxiety can show up in many ways — emotionally, physically, and behaviourally. You may recognize some of these experiences in yourself or someone close to you.

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Persistent worry that feels difficult to control

Restlessness or feeling on edge

Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

Muscle tension, headaches, or jaw clenching

Irritability or feeling easily overwhelmed

Sleep difficulties — trouble falling or staying asleep

Avoidance of social situations or everyday tasks

Panic attacks — sudden waves of intense fear

Racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness

A sense of dread or anticipating the worst

Evidence-Based Approaches to Anxiety

How We Can Help

Effective anxiety treatment is grounded in research and shaped by your individual needs. Our Ottawa clinics offer several approaches that can be used on their own or combined for a more comprehensive plan.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most extensively researched treatments for anxiety disorders. It helps you identify and restructure the thought patterns that fuel worry, while building practical coping strategies you can use in daily life. CBT is effective for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore the underlying causes of your anxiety — whether rooted in past experiences, relational patterns, or current life stressors. Our clinicians draw on evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique situation.

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Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback trains the brain to shift out of overactive patterns associated with anxiety. By providing real-time feedback on brainwave activity, this non-invasive approach can help reduce the hypervigilance and emotional reactivity that often accompany anxiety disorders.

Biofeedback & HRV Training

Biofeedback and heart rate variability (HRV) training teach you to regulate your body’s stress response. These physiological approaches are particularly helpful for individuals who experience the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as racing heart, shallow breathing, or chronic tension.

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“Anxiety doesn’t have to run your life. With the right tools and support, you can learn to respond to worry rather than be controlled by it.”

Anxiety Affects People at Every Stage of Life

Who We Help

We provide specialized support for individuals across the lifespan, recognizing that anxiety presents differently depending on age, context, and life circumstances.

Adults

Whether you’re dealing with workplace stress, health anxiety, social fears, or a generalized sense of dread, our clinicians help you develop practical strategies to manage worry and reclaim a sense of calm in your daily life.

Adolescents & Teens

Anxiety in teenagers often shows up as perfectionism, avoidance, social withdrawal, or difficulty sleeping. We use age-appropriate approaches — including adapted CBT — and work collaboratively with families to provide comprehensive support.

Children

Childhood anxiety can present as clinginess, frequent stomachaches, meltdowns, or reluctance to attend school. Our team uses play-based and developmentally sensitive approaches to help children build confidence and manage their worries.

What to Expect

Your First Steps

Starting therapy can feel daunting — especially when anxiety is what brought you here. Here’s what the process typically looks like at our Ottawa clinics.

Initial Consultation

We begin with a conversation to understand your concerns, history, and goals. This helps us determine the most appropriate therapeutic approach for your specific type of anxiety.

Clinical Intake

Your clinician will conduct a thorough clinical interview to understand the nature and patterns of your anxiety, as well as any co-occurring conditions such as depression, ADHD, or trauma.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Together, you and your clinician will develop a plan tailored to your needs — whether that includes CBT, neurofeedback, biofeedback, or a combination of approaches.

Ongoing Support & Progress

Regular sessions provide continuity and a safe space to build new skills. Your clinician will track your progress and adjust the approach as needed to keep you moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety

Common Questions

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you find the right starting point.

Contact us to learn more about our approach to anxiety treatment in Ottawa.