Find care

Finding Anxiety Treatment

A guide to finding care for anxiety — from guided self-help and therapy to medication — including who provides it and what to ask.

Options for anxiety care

  • Primary care: assessment, ruling out physical causes, medication, referrals.
  • Therapists: CBT and exposure therapy are well-supported.
  • Psychiatry: for medication management, particularly when symptoms are severe or complex.
  • Digital and guided self-help programs: can help milder anxiety.

Questions to ask a provider

  • What approach do you use for anxiety, and what does the evidence say?
  • How many sessions do you typically recommend?
  • How will we measure progress?
  • What does it cost, and do you accept my insurance?

Next steps

Learn about anxiety, therapy for anxiety, or compare online anxiety treatment.

When to seek professional help

Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.

If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.

Explore care options

References

We rely on government health agencies, professional medical organizations, peer-reviewed research and academic institutions. Read our sourcing standards.

  1. Anxiety Disorders(opens in a new tab)

    National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Government health agency

  2. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults — management (CG113)(opens in a new tab)

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2011Government health agency

About this article

Written by

ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team

Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.

First published
September 17, 2026
Last updated
September 23, 2026
Last medically reviewed
Review pending