5 Anxiety support groups in Atlanta

This post answers: Which are some Anxiety support groups in Atlanta? What is Anxiety? What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety?What are the causes of anxiety? What are some ways to manage anxiety? What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Which are some Anxiety support groups in Atlanta?

If you are from Atlanta, the following are some of the anxiety support groups that you can find either online or can visit in person.

These groups are headed by professional psychologists, and you would find them extremely helpful.

Adult Relationship Oriented Group

This is one of the best support groups for people with anxiety, as well as depression and relationship issues. It is best because anxiety most of the time co-occurs with relationship issues and depression.

This group is run by Dr. Nancy Cahir, who is an experienced psychologist. It is a co-ed process group that focuses on personal development and solving personal and interpersonal conflicts. This is a group for adults of any gender. It is also economical and costs only about $60 per session.

Location

Office of Dr. Nancy Cahir 455 E Paces Ferry Road NE Suite 203 Atlanta, GA 30305

Contact Number

(404) 812-0405

Men’s Mental Health Group

Run by Gabriel Ty Kuecher, a pro-licensed Professional BA, this group specializes in dealing with anxiety issues specific to adult men. It focuses on the modern challenges of life and tries to deal with the masculinity issues that may lead to anxiety and depression in today’s men.

The group explores these challenges in a very safe and sound environment. People find this group helpful for all kinds of anxiety and depression issues, whether they relate to fatherhood, marriage, or relationships in general. It costs up to $40 per session.

Location

Grant Park Counseling Group 1030 Grant Street Southeast Ste 7 Atlanta, GA 30315

Contact Number:

(470) 243-8490

Mindfulness Self Compassion

Run by Dr. Helen B Vantine, a professional psychologist, this group focuses on mindfulness techniques to deal with issues of anxiety in adults. Anxiety makes us terrible critics of ourselves, which can make life very challenging for us.

This group tries to teach people how to deal with pathological self-criticism in a way that helps them get rid of their anxiety or any other stressors. It is an eight-week course that costs about $60 per session. The primary focus of this group is compassion and mindfulness.

This group believes that through mindful self-compassion, we can get rid of or depression and anxiety and improve our lives. This group not only improves you on a personal level, but it also helps you become more compassionate towards others.

Location

Atlanta Mindfulness Institute 675 Seminole Avenue Suite 103 Atlanta, GA 30307

Contact Number:

(678) 667-8187

Young Women’s Group

Some anxiety issues are highly specific to females. If you are a female having specific feminine anxiety issues, then Atlanta’s Women’s Group is best for you. This group is run by Dr. Suzanne Imes, a Ph.D. Psychologist who is specialized in treating anxiety and relationship issues in adult females.

This group digs deeper into anxiety and finds out the childhood issues that may hinder resilience. This group is best for females who have relational anxiety, work-related anxiety, or simply social anxiety.

This group would help you deal with the social, familial, and cultural issues that are impairing your functionality. It costs about $60 per session. 

Location

1151 Sheridan Rd Atlanta, GA 30324

Contact Number:

(404) 369-2493 x23

Online Therapy of Atlanta

If you are someone from Atlanta who cannot join in-person support groups, then this group is specifically for you. This group is run by Shaina Gordon, an LCSW. The group uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) for the treatment of adults with anxiety as well as borderline personality disorder.

Shaina Gordon focuses on the use of mindfulness practices in order to help her clients learn emotional regulation, resilience, and distress tolerance. This group, at the moment, operates online and comprises of a 6 Weeks course. It costs $70 to $80 per session.

Location

Online Therapy of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30324

Contact Number:

(770) 766-0127

What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called  Anxiety. 

Every human has their unique ways of dealing with these difficult situations and the following emotions, some try to adapt to the circumstances and find the best and most comfortable solution while others try to find an escape route for the same, in both cases the main aim is usually to get over the uncomfortable emotions of anxiety. 

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? 

Anxiety is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as 

• Sweating
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sense of choking
• Complaints of chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fear of losing control over oneself and their environment
• Fear of impending doom
• Hot or cold flashes
• Tingling or numbness
• Increased heart rate

These symptoms vary in severity from person to person. However, it is noted that many people experience anxiety attacks that are not significantly displayed.

What are the causes of anxiety?

Anxiety often results from accumulated stress or overwhelming feelings. Some common causes of anxiety include.

• Increased and challenging situations and demands in day-to-day life.
• Major changes in family dynamics such as marriage, divorce, death of a loved one.
• Strain interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal conflicts
• Ineffective coping mechanisms
• Comorbid conditions both physical and mental
• Chronic health conditions
• Genetic factors
• Changes in the brain region
• Overdose of caffeine
• Prolonged use of medications
• Significant traumatic experiences in the past or recent times
• Comorbid mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder or any other phobias.

What are some ways to manage anxiety?

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

 

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

 

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over once anxiety concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

 

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief. 

Online therapy  

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium. 

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation. 

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety that aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

Conclusion:

We all have to deal with the stressors and burdens of life. Sometimes the stressors become just too much and can impair our functioning. However, sometimes we create our own stressors when there are none. We worry about things when there is nothing to worry about.

When you worry about something that’s actually worrisome, that’s normal. When you worry out of proportion to the actual threat, that’s anxiety. When you worry about something that actually doesn’t exist, that’s also anxiety. If you are someone who is suffering from anxiety, you need to seek professional help immediately. Anxiety, if left untreated, can impair every domain of your life.

If you are someone from Atlanta who has a hard time dealing with anxiety, you can take help from support groups. These support groups are run by professionals, are highly effective, and are economical as well

Frequently Asked Questions: Which are some Anxiety support groups in Atlanta?

Are in-person sessions better than online sessions?

If your anxiety is severe, then in-person sessions would be better for you. However, if your anxiety is mild, then you can find online sessions very helpful as well.

Can a counselor or LCWS help me with my anxiety?

It would be best to consult counselors or LCWS if your anxiety is mild and relational in nature (work or job related). 

How much do anxiety support groups in Atlanta cost on average per session?

Anxiety support groups in Atlanta cost on average per session is $40 to $60

Citations:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/adults/ga/atlanta/52360?sid=621f6d4c94b2f&ref=2

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/adults/ga/atlanta/190188?sid=621f6d4c94b2f&ref=7

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/adults/ga/atlanta/43607?sid=621f6d4c94b2f&ref=17

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/adults/ga/atlanta/188238?sid=621f6d4c94b2f&spec=3&ref=7

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/adults/ga/atlanta/167464?sid=621f6d4c94b2f&spec=3&ref=15&p=1