Therapy & treatment
Therapy for Anxiety
Several forms of psychotherapy are effective for anxiety disorders. Learn which approaches have the strongest evidence, how long therapy takes and how to find a therapist.
How therapy helps anxiety
Therapy for anxiety helps you understand what triggers anxious feelings, change patterns of thinking and avoidance that keep anxiety going, and build confidence in facing difficult situations.
Approaches with good evidence
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): the most extensively studied therapy for anxiety disorders.
- Exposure therapy: especially helpful for phobias, panic disorder and social anxiety.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): focuses on accepting anxious thoughts and feelings while acting on your values.
- Applied relaxation: learning to relax muscles quickly in anxiety-provoking situations, used for generalized anxiety disorder.
How long does it take?
Many structured therapies for anxiety involve roughly 8 to 20 sessions, though this varies. Some people notice improvement within the first few weeks.
Getting started
Look for a licensed therapist with experience treating anxiety, and ask about their approach. Many people start with online therapy. See our guide on how to find the right therapist.
Related therapy approaches
Find care
Find the right support
Compare types of care — from online therapy to psychiatry — and learn what to consider before choosing a provider.
Explore care optionsWhen 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 optionsReferences
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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 9, 2026
- Last updated
- September 22, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending