Anxiety Treatment In Atlanta

At some point, anxiety touches nearly everyone. Whether it’s the nervousness before a big event or the overwhelming weight of ongoing worry, anxiety can affect our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If you’re here, you might be seeking support, perhaps feeling like anxiety has taken control. Atlas Behavioral Health understands this struggle and is here to help. We offer anxiety treatment in Atlanta through a comprehensive, compassionate approach that includes both mental health and dual diagnosis treatment.

By addressing anxiety’s root causes, we guide individuals toward lasting relief and wellness. Let’s break down how we approach anxiety treatment at Atlas and how we can support your journey toward peace and balance.

Understanding Anxiety: What Are We Treating?

Before diving into treatment, it’s important to recognize what anxiety is. Anxiety disorders are a category of mental health conditions that include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and more. Symptoms range from excessive worry, restlessness, and irritability to physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath.

These symptoms can severely impact daily life, relationships, and overall health. At Atlas Behavioral Health, we understand that anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that’s why we tailor our treatments to each individual.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each presenting unique symptoms:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life such as health, work, or personal issues.
Panic Disorder: Sudden episodes of intense fear (panic attacks) often accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or judgment.
Specific Phobias: Intense fear triggered by a specific object or situation (e.g., heights, flying).
Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear of being apart from loved ones.

These disorders vary in intensity and can coexist with other mental health disorders and substance-use disorders, which is why individualized treatment is crucial for effective anxiety management.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type and other factors but often include:

Physical symptoms: Increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Emotional symptoms: Excessive worry, fear, restlessness, irritability, and a sense of impending doom.
Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, or feeling mentally foggy.
Behavioral symptoms: Avoidance of anxiety-inducing situations, inability to relax, or constantly being on edge.

These symptoms can disrupt daily life and vary in intensity, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the exact cause of anxiety disorders isn’t fully known, but several factors likely contribute. These include:

Chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, affect mood regulation.
Brain changes, particularly increased activity in the amygdala, are linked to anxiety.
Genetics also play a role, as anxiety often runs in families.
Environmental factors, such as chronic stress or traumatic events, can trigger or worsen anxiety by altering brain chemistry.

Our Comprehensive Anxiety Treatment Programs

Atlas Behavioral Health provides three levels of care to meet varying needs: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient Program (OP). Each program offers different levels of intensity and flexibility, ensuring that clients can find the support that fits their lifestyle and recovery stage.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers the most intensive treatment for individuals whose anxiety significantly impacts their daily functioning. This structured program includes full-day therapy sessions, which allow individuals to work on managing anxiety in a supportive and focused environment. Clients participate in various evidence-based therapies and experiential treatments while returning home at the end of the day.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

For those who need intensive support but have commitments like work or family, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an excellent option. This program is structured around the client’s schedule, offering therapy sessions during the day or evening while allowing individuals to maintain their routine. Our IOP for anxiety treatment in Atlanta provides the same therapies as PHP but with greater flexibility.

Outpatient Program (OP)

Our Outpatient Program (OP) is ideal for individuals who have completed more intensive treatment but still need ongoing support. It provides less frequent but regular therapy sessions, helping clients maintain the progress they’ve made in managing their anxiety. The focus is on relapse prevention, self-management, and ensuring sustained recovery.

Therapeutic Services Tailored to Anxiety Relief

At Atlas, we know that anxiety can be treated effectively with a combination of therapies. Our approach incorporates some of the most effective treatments in mental health, ensuring that we address anxiety from multiple angles.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a cornerstone of our anxiety treatment in Atlanta. This therapy helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. Through CBT, clients learn practical coping strategies to manage their anxiety in the moment, transforming their negative thinking into more balanced and positive thought processes.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

While initially developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for treating anxiety, especially when anxiety is paired with emotional dysregulation. DBT at Atlas teaches clients mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—skills essential for managing anxiety.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

For individuals whose anxiety is tied to past trauma, EMDR is a powerful tool. This therapy helps reprocess traumatic memories, reducing the emotional response they trigger. Many clients with anxiety stemming from trauma find significant relief with this treatment.

Medication Management

In some cases, anxiety treatment may be supported by medication. At Atlas, we offer medication management alongside therapy to ensure a balanced approach. Our medical professionals work closely with clients to assess their needs and find the right medication, if necessary, to support their overall treatment plan.

Experiential Therapies for Anxiety Treatment

In addition to traditional therapies, Atlas Behavioral Health offers a range of experiential therapies that enhance the treatment process. These therapies are designed to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and connection—key components in managing anxiety.

Art Therapy: Art therapy provides a creative outlet for individuals to express feelings that might be difficult to verbalize. For those with anxiety, this can be a calming and cathartic experience, reducing stress and promoting self-reflection.

Sound Bath: A sound bath is a form of meditation that uses resonating sounds to promote relaxation and mental clarity. It’s an excellent experiential therapy for individuals dealing with high levels of stress or anxiety, allowing them to achieve a deep sense of calm.

Guided Meditation: Guided meditation is offered to help individuals manage anxiety through mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Meditation encourages a focus on the present moment, reducing anxious thoughts and helping clients gain better control over their mental state.

Breathwork: Breathwork techniques are used to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid breathing or a racing heart. Clients learn how to use controlled breathing to calm their body and mind.

Hiking and Golf: Connecting with nature through activities like hiking or playing golf offers clients a chance to step away from daily stressors and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of physical activity. These activities encourage mindfulness and relaxation, which are vital for anxiety management.

Yoga (Twice a Week): We offer yoga twice a week as part of our experiential therapies. Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness, helping clients reduce tension, improve their mood, and increase their overall sense of well-being.

Family Involvement in Treatment: Loved Ones Day

Anxiety doesn’t just affect the individual experiencing it; it can impact their loved ones too. That’s why Atlas Behavioral Health is committed to involving family members in the treatment process. Loved Ones Day is a special day where clients are encouraged to invite their family members or close support system for education on anxiety and substance addiction.

The day starts with family members and clients together, followed by separate educational sessions tailored to their needs. This day allows loved ones to understand the challenges of anxiety and guides how to best support their loved ones in recovery.

At Atlas, we believe in treating the whole family because we know that recovery is not a solo journey.

A Supportive Environment for Long-Term Success

We understand that choosing the right treatment can be overwhelming, but Atlas Behavioral Health is here to make that decision easier. Our team of compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive anxiety treatment that not only alleviates symptoms but addresses the root causes of anxiety.

Anxiety can feel like a heavy burden, but with the right support and treatment, it’s possible to find relief. At Atlas, we’re with you every step of the way, offering a holistic approach to anxiety treatment that ensures long-term success.