Anxiety Therapy in Richmond, VA
When Your Mind Won't Stop Racing
It starts before your feet hit the floor. The thoughts are already spinning, everything you need to do, everything that could go wrong, every conversation you're replaying or rehearsing. Your chest feels tight. Your shoulders are up around your ears. And you haven't even gotten out of bed yet.
Maybe you've tried the deep breathing, the meditation apps, the advice to "just relax." But your brain doesn't work that way. The anxiety isn't a switch you can flip off. It's constant, pervasive, humming in the background even on your good days.
You're exhausted from being on high alert all the time. From overthinking every interaction. From lying awake at 3 a.m. running through worst-case scenarios. You've pushed through for so long, but lately it feels like your coping strategies have stopped working. Like you've finally hit a wall.
If this feels familiar, you're not alone.
Anxiety is your nervous system's way of trying to protect you. It's not a character flaw or a sign of weakness, it's a response that made sense at some point, even if it's no longer serving you well.
For many people, especially those navigating marginalized identities, anxiety gets compounded. When the world regularly sends signals that you're not safe, your nervous system learns to stay on guard. Add in neurodivergence, chronic illness, or the weight of systemic stress, and that constant activation starts to feel like the only way to exist.
Anxiety therapy creates space to understand your patterns, calm your nervous system, and develop strategies that actually work for your brain and body. It's not about eliminating anxiety entirely, that's not realistic. It's about building a different relationship with it, so you're not controlled by the racing thoughts and physical tension that have been running the show.
Understanding Anxiety and How Therapy Can Help
Working with an Anxiety Therapist Who Gets It
License: LPC,
0701013055, Verify License
I'm Kamillah Gray, and I understand how anxiety can take over your life in ways that are hard to explain to people who don't experience it. As someone who has navigated my own anxiety, I know the difference between advice that sounds good and strategies that actually help when your nervous system is in overdrive.
I also know that anxiety doesn't exist in a vacuum. If you're BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, or chronically ill, your anxiety likely has layers that generic approaches don't address. The hypervigilance that comes from navigating hostile systems. The sensory overwhelm of a world not designed for your brain. The exhaustion of constantly code-switching or masking just to get through the day.
In our work together, I meet you where you are. We'll explore what's driving your anxiety, not just the surface symptoms. I'll help you develop grounding techniques that work for your specific nervous system, not one-size-fits-all advice that assumes a neurotypical baseline. And I'll offer steady, warm support while we figure it out together.
What Anxiety Therapy Sessions Feel Like
Sessions are conversations, not lectures. We'll talk about what's happening in your life, what's triggering your anxiety, and what you're noticing in your body and mind. Some sessions might focus on processing something specific. Others might be about practicing techniques or simply having space to breathe.
I bring curiosity and warmth to our work. I'll ask questions, offer reflections, and sometimes gently challenge patterns that might be keeping you stuck. I'll also share tools and strategies as they become relevant, things you can actually use between sessions when anxiety spikes.
We move at your pace. There's no pressure to dive into anything before you're ready, and no expectation that you'll have everything figured out. Therapy isn't linear, and setbacks aren't failures. We'll navigate the ups and downs together, adjusting as we go.
The vibe is collaborative. You're not a passive recipient of my expertise, you're an active partner in your own process. I believe you know yourself better than anyone, and my job is to help you access that wisdom when anxiety is making it hard to hear.
What Anxiety Therapy May Offer You
Everyone's experience with therapy is different, and I can't promise specific outcomes. What I can say is that many clients notice shifts as they develop new tools and understanding. Here's what becomes possible when anxiety no longer runs the show:
Quieter Thoughts
The mental noise may begin to soften, making space for clarity.
Steadier Ground
You might notice feeling more anchored, even in stressful moments.
Easier Breathing
Your body may start to release some of the tension it's been holding.
What Life Might Feel Like with Less Anxiety
Imagine waking up without that immediate surge of dread. Your first thoughts aren't a list of worries, they're just... thoughts. The day ahead feels manageable, not like a minefield to navigate.
When something stressful happens, you notice it without spiraling. You have tools that help you come back to steady ground. The physical tension that used to live in your shoulders, your jaw, your chest, it's not gone entirely, but it's not constant either.
You might find yourself taking on things you used to avoid. Speaking up when you'd normally stay quiet. Setting a boundary without the guilt spiral that used to follow. Resting without the voice that says you haven't earned it.
This isn't about becoming someone who never feels anxious. It's about anxiety taking up less space in your life. About having more room for the things that actually matter to you.
Beginning Anxiety Therapy in Virginia
Starting therapy can feel like its own source of anxiety, I get it. Here's what the process looks like so you know what to expect:
Reach Out
Send a message through the contact form or email. Share as much or as little as feels comfortable. There's no pressure to have the right words.
Free Consultation
We'll schedule a brief call to see if we're a good fit. This is a chance for you to ask questions and get a feel for whether this space feels right.
Begin Sessions
If we decide to work together, we'll schedule your first session. From there, we move at your pace, working on what matters most to you.
Insights That Often Emerge in Anxiety Therapy
As clients develop new awareness and tools, certain realizations tend to surface. These aren't things I tell people, they're things people discover for themselves:
- "My anxiety makes sense given what I've been navigating."
- "I'm not broken, my nervous system learned to protect me this way."
- "I can feel anxious and still take action."
- "Rest isn't something I have to earn."
- "I've been harder on myself than I realized."
- "I have more capacity than anxiety led me to believe."
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy
How do I know if my anxiety is "bad enough" for therapy?
There's no threshold you need to meet. If anxiety is affecting your quality of life, your sleep, your relationships, your ability to enjoy things, that's reason enough to seek support. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve help.
What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?
Not all therapy is the same, and not all therapists are the right fit. If past experiences didn't work, it might have been about the approach or the match, not about whether therapy can help you. We can talk about what didn't work before and try something different.
Do you prescribe medication for anxiety?
No, I'm a therapist, not a psychiatrist, so I don't prescribe medication. If medication feels like something you want to explore, I can support you in finding a prescriber and we can work together alongside that treatment.
How long does anxiety therapy take?
It varies for everyone. Some people feel significant shifts in a few months; others benefit from longer-term support. We'll check in regularly about how things are going and what you need.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, all sessions are virtual. I serve clients throughout Virginia from the comfort of their own space.
Ready to Start Anxiety Therapy?
If you're tired of white-knuckling through every day and ready to find some relief, I'd love to hear from you. Reaching out is just a conversation, no commitment, no pressure.
You don't have to keep managing this alone. When you're ready, I'm here.
