Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot. "I'm so anxious about this presentation." "That email gave me anxiety." But when does everyday stress cross the line into something that needs professional support?
If you're reading this, you're probably wondering whether what you're experiencing is "normal" or if it's time to reach out for help. The truth is, anxiety exists on a spectrum—and you don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Let's talk about the signs that anxiety therapy might be exactly what you need to reclaim your peace and move forward.
What Is Anxiety, Really?
Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress or perceived danger. It's the racing heart before a job interview, the knot in your stomach when you're running late, or the mental loop of "what ifs" that keeps you up at night.
In small doses, anxiety can be helpful—it keeps you alert and motivated. But when anxiety becomes chronic, overwhelming, or starts interfering with your daily life, it's no longer serving you. It's holding you back.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting over 40 million adults. And for BIPOC women, anxiety is often compounded by racial trauma, systemic oppression, and the pressure to navigate multiple worlds while staying strong for everyone else.
You're not "too sensitive" or "overreacting." Your nervous system is responding to real threats—both external and internal.
Common Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Therapy
1. Your Worry Feels Constant and Uncontrollable
Everyone worries sometimes, but anxiety becomes a problem when:
You can't turn off the mental chatter, even when there's no immediate threat
Your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios automatically
You worry about things that haven't happened yet (and may never happen)
Reassurance from others doesn't help—the worry comes right back
If your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open and all of them are playing disaster scenarios, therapy can help you close some of those tabs.
2. Physical Symptoms Are Disrupting Your Life
Anxiety doesn't just live in your mind—it shows up in your body. Common physical symptoms include:
Racing heart or chest tightness
Shortness of breath or feeling like you can't get enough air
Muscle tension, especially in your neck, shoulders, or jaw
Headaches or migraines
Stomach issues (nausea, diarrhea, or that constant knot)
Fatigue or feeling wired and tired at the same time
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
If you've been to the doctor and everything checks out physically, anxiety might be the culprit.
3. You're Avoiding Things That Matter to You
Anxiety has a sneaky way of shrinking your world. You might notice:
Turning down social invitations because the thought of going feels overwhelming
Avoiding certain places, situations, or people that trigger anxiety
Procrastinating on important tasks because the anxiety feels paralyzing
Saying no to opportunities (jobs, relationships, experiences) out of fear
Avoidance might bring temporary relief, but it reinforces anxiety over time. Therapy helps you break that cycle.
4. You're Constantly on Edge or Hypervigilant
For many BIPOC women, hypervigilance isn't just anxiety—it's survival. You've learned to scan every room, read every tone, and anticipate every threat because your safety has depended on it.
But when hypervigilance becomes your default setting, it's exhausting. Signs include:
Feeling like you can never fully relax
Startling easily or feeling jumpy
Difficulty trusting people or letting your guard down
Constantly bracing for the next crisis or disappointment
Therapy—especially trauma-informed therapy—can help you find safety in your body again.
5. Your Relationships Are Suffering
Anxiety doesn't just affect you—it affects the people around you. You might notice:
Snapping at loved ones or withdrawing emotionally
Needing constant reassurance from your partner or friends
Difficulty being present in conversations or activities
Conflict or misunderstandings because anxiety is running the show
Therapy can help you communicate your needs, set boundaries, and show up more fully in your relationships.
6. You're Using Unhealthy Coping Strategies
When anxiety feels unbearable, it's natural to reach for anything that brings relief—even if it's not healthy in the long run. Common coping mechanisms include:
Drinking or using substances to numb or calm down
Overeating, undereating, or emotional eating
Overworking or staying busy to avoid feeling anxious
Excessive scrolling, shopping, or other distractions
These strategies might work temporarily, but they don't address the root of the anxiety. Therapy gives you healthier tools.
7. You're Experiencing Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear that come on suddenly and peak within minutes. Symptoms include:
Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
Sweating, trembling, or shaking
Feeling like you're choking or can't breathe
Chest pain or discomfort
Dizziness or feeling faint
Fear of losing control or dying
Panic attacks are terrifying, but they're also highly treatable. Therapy can help you understand your triggers and reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks.
8. You Feel Like You're "Faking It" All the Time
Many high-achieving women—especially BIPOC women—experience anxiety as a constant undercurrent beneath a polished exterior. You might:
Feel like you're constantly performing or code-switching
Worry that people will discover you're "not good enough"
Experience imposter syndrome or fear of being exposed as a fraud
Feel exhausted from holding it all together
This kind of anxiety is often rooted in systemic messages about who you're allowed to be and how you have to show up. Therapy helps you unpack those messages and reclaim your authentic self.
9. You've Tried to Manage It on Your Own, But It's Not Getting Better
Self-care is important, but it's not a cure for anxiety. If you've tried:
Meditation, journaling, or breathing exercises (and they help a little, but not enough)
Reading self-help books or listening to podcasts
Talking to friends or family (who are supportive but can't provide professional guidance)
...and you're still struggling, it's time to bring in a professional. Therapy isn't a sign of weakness—it's a strategic investment in your well-being.
10. Your Anxiety Is Rooted in Identity or Systemic Oppression
For BIPOC women, anxiety often isn't just about individual stressors—it's about navigating a world that wasn't built for you. You might be dealing with:
Racial trauma from experiences of discrimination or microaggressions
Pressure to represent your entire community or be the "strong Black woman"
Anxiety about safety, visibility, or being misunderstood
Generational trauma passed down through your family
This kind of anxiety requires culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. A therapist who understands your lived experience can help you heal in ways that generic anxiety treatment can't.
What Anxiety Therapy Can Do for You
Anxiety therapy isn't about eliminating anxiety entirely (some anxiety is normal and even helpful). It's about:
Understanding your triggers and patterns
Developing healthier coping strategies that actually work
Challenging anxious thoughts and reframing unhelpful beliefs
Processing underlying trauma that fuels anxiety
Building resilience so anxiety doesn't control your life
Reclaiming your sense of safety, agency, and peace
Common therapeutic approaches for anxiety include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change anxious thought patterns
EMDR Therapy: Effective for trauma-related anxiety
Solution-Focused Therapy: Builds on your strengths and focuses on practical solutions
Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Teaches you to stay present and regulate your nervous system
You Don't Have to Wait Until You're in Crisis
One of the biggest myths about therapy is that you have to be "bad enough" to deserve help. That's not true.
You don't have to be having panic attacks every day or unable to get out of bed to benefit from therapy. If anxiety is making your life harder, smaller, or less joyful than it could be, that's reason enough.
Therapy is for anyone who wants to feel better, heal deeper, and live more fully.
Finding the Right Therapist for Anxiety
Not all anxiety therapy is created equal. When looking for a therapist, consider:
Specialized training in anxiety disorders and evidence-based treatments (CBT, EMDR, etc.)
Cultural responsiveness if you're a BIPOC individual (anxiety therapy must account for systemic and identity-based stressors)
A good fit in terms of communication style, approach, and values
Don't settle for a therapist who doesn't get it. You deserve someone who sees you fully and creates a space where you can exhale.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Anxiety doesn't have to run your life. With the right support, you can learn to manage it, heal from it, and reclaim your peace.
If you're a BIPOC woman in New Jersey or Florida struggling with anxiety, I'd love to support you. I specialize in culturally attuned, trauma-informed therapy that honors your lived experience and helps you build the tools you need to thrive.
Schedule a free consultation to see if we're a good fit.
About the Author
Sherolde Hackett, LCSW, is a licensed therapist in New Jersey and Florida specializing in anxiety, trauma, and culturally responsive care for BIPOC women. With over 20 years of experience and training in CBT, EMDR, and solution-focused therapy, she helps women heal, grow, and reclaim their peace.
