Positive Pathways and Wellness Center provides in-person therapy for anxiety at our Hagerstown office. Our nurse practitioners use structured, evidence-based methods that teach lasting skills for managing worry, panic and avoidance.
When anxiety becomes a problem
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is persistent, out of proportion to the situation, or starts to shrink daily life. Common patterns we help with include:
- Generalized anxiety – constant worry about work, health, family or money that is hard to switch off.
- Panic attacks – sudden surges of fear with a racing heart, shortness of breath or dizziness, often followed by fear of the next attack.
- Social anxiety – intense worry about being judged that leads to avoiding meetings, classes or social events.
- Specific fears and phobias – such as driving, flying, needles or medical settings.
- Health anxiety – ongoing worry about illness despite reassurance.
Physical signs such as muscle tension, stomach upset, restlessness and poor sleep are common too. In children, anxiety can look like clinginess, frequent stomachaches, school refusal or tantrums around separation.
How we treat anxiety in therapy
We use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a leading evidence-based treatment for anxiety. Rather than simply talking about worries, CBT builds practical skills and gradually reduces the avoidance that keeps anxiety going.
- Understanding the anxiety cycle – learning how thoughts, body sensations and avoidance feed one another.
- Cognitive skills – identifying worst-case thinking and developing more balanced, realistic ways of looking at situations.
- Gradual exposure – facing feared situations step by step, at a pace agreed together, so confidence grows through real experience.
- Calming and coping skills – breathing, grounding and relaxation techniques for moments of high stress.
- Worry management – structured approaches to reduce time spent caught in repetitive worry.
Who we see
We treat adults, adolescents and children. With younger patients, parents and caregivers learn how to support brave behavior at home rather than accommodating fears, which helps progress last.
What to expect at the first visit
The first appointment is 60 minutes and covers current symptoms, triggers, history and personal goals. The clinician then outlines a treatment plan and recommended session frequency. Most people start with weekly or every-other-week sessions and practice skills between visits.
Common questions
How quickly does therapy for anxiety help?
CBT for anxiety is usually time-limited. Many people begin to notice a difference within several weeks of regular sessions and home practice, and progress is reviewed together throughout treatment.
What if anxiety makes it hard to come in?
That is common and understandable. Let our front desk know when booking, and the first visit can be paced to feel manageable.
Scheduling, insurance and location
- Same-week appointments are often available for new patients.
- Evening hours available.
- We accept most major commercial insurance plans and Maryland Medicaid.
- All visits are in person at our office at 28 Jonathan St, Hagerstown, MD 21740, convenient for patients from Washington County, Frederick, Cumberland and Westminster.
In an emergency
This page is not for emergencies. Anyone thinking about suicide or in immediate danger should call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Related therapy services
- Depression therapy in Hagerstown
- Trauma and PTSD therapy in Hagerstown
- OCD therapy in Hagerstown
- All therapy services in Hagerstown
Take the first step
Book online or call (240) 413-1255 to schedule a first visit.