Counseling for Anxiety in Arlington, VA
Do you feel constantly worried, overwhelmed, or unable to find relief no matter what you try? Maybe you notice your mind racing with “what ifs,” or you feel physically tense and drained. For some, these struggles show up as chronic anxiety; for others, they stem from stress, burnout, or the challenges of a major life transition. Often, the lines between these experiences blur. But the impact is the same: life starts to feel unmanageable.
If you’re searching for counseling for anxiety in Arlington, Virginia, Belonging Counseling provides compassionate, evidence-based care to help you reduce worry, manage stress, and regain a sense of balance.
Understanding Anxiety, Stress, and Life Transitions
Anxiety is rooted in our natural drive to create safety and protect ourselves. In short bursts, it can be useful, helping us stay alert, prepare for challenges, and rise to the occasion. But when anxiety becomes chronic or overwhelming, it stops being helpful and begins to interfere with daily life.
Stress and life transitions can have a similar effect. Ongoing responsibilities, burnout from work or caregiving, or sudden changes such as moving, career shifts, or relationship changes can all heighten anxious thoughts and physical symptoms. At times, what we call “anxiety” may really be a combination of both stress and life changes.
At Belonging Counseling in Arlington, we recognize that anxiety and stress are often interconnected. Therapy provides a space to sort through these experiences, understand their roots, and find practical strategies for moving forward.
Explaining the Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety shows up in both the mind and body, often creating a cycle that feels hard to escape. Some people notice constant mental chatter, such as “What if this happens?," I should have done or said that differently," or “What if they’re mad at me?”
Others feel it more physically with a racing heart, tight chest, or waves of panic that seem to come out of nowhere. Many experience both.
Some other common symptoms of anxiety include:
· Nervousness, restlessness, or feeling constantly on edge
· Fatigue or weakness despite getting rest
· Rapid breathing, pounding heart, sweating
· Trouble concentrating or zoning out
· Irritability and less patience with yourself or others
· Needing frequent reassurance from others
· Difficulty falling or staying asleep
· Changes in appetite or eating patterns
Anxiety, Stress, and Life Transitions: How They Overlap
Many people wonder: "Do I have an anxiety disorder, or am I just stressed?" The answer is often that it’s not one or the other. They overlap.
For instance, chronic stress (from work, caregiving, or ongoing responsibilities) can intensify anxious thoughts and physical symptoms. Meanwhile acute stressors and transitions (like moving, job changes, or relationship shifts) can trigger or heighten anxiety. In addition, burnout can create cycles of over-functioning (pushing yourself constantly) followed by under-functioning (feeling unable to keep up).
What matters most isn’t the label, but how these experiences affect your well-being. In therapy for anxiety, we take time to explore your unique situation and create a plan that supports both immediate relief and long-term resilience.