Anxiety Therapy in Rotterdam

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is more than occasional worry. When it becomes persistent, it can affect every aspect of your life: sleep, work, relationships, and your sense of who you are. You might experience racing thoughts, physical tension, avoidance of situations that trigger discomfort, or a constant sense that something bad is about to happen.

Many people living in a new country or navigating major life changes experience heightened anxiety. The uncertainty of adapting to unfamiliar systems, languages, and social norms can intensify these feelings.

Types of Anxiety I Work With

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life
• Panic Disorder - Recurring panic attacks and fear of future attacks
• Social Anxiety - Intense fear of social situations and being judged by others
• Performance Anxiety - Anxiety related to work, presentations, or specific tasks
• Health Anxiety - Excessive worry about health and physical symptoms
• Adjustment-Related Anxiety - Anxiety triggered by life changes, relocation, or cultural adaptation

My Approach to Anxiety Treatment

I use evidence-based methods that have been proven effective for anxiety:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps identify thought patterns that maintain anxiety and develops practical strategies for change. We'll work on understanding the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and build skills to respond differently to anxiety triggers.

Schema Therapy

When anxiety connects to deeper patterns formed earlier in life, Schema Therapy helps understand and address these underlying themes. This is particularly helpful when anxiety feels deeply rooted or when similar fears have followed you through different life stages.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Building awareness and grounding techniques for managing overwhelming moments. Mindfulness is especially valuable when you can't rely on autopilot in an unfamiliar environment.

What to Expect

Therapy begins with understanding your specific experience of anxiety: what triggers it, how it manifests, and how it affects your life. From there, we develop a personalized approach that addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying causes.

Sessions are 45 minutes, typically weekly. Many people notice significant improvement within 8-16 sessions, though the duration depends on your individual situation and goals.