Starting therapy for anxiety is a brave and hopeful step – but it can sometimes feel discouraging when symptoms seem to worsen before improving. This experience is more common than many expect. Facing anxiety head-on often means entering uncomfortable emotional territory, which can stir up strong reactions before true healing begins. In this blog, we’ll explore the processes and the path towards healing from anxiety.
The Process of Healing
- Revealing Yourself – Therapy helps bring buried thoughts, fears, and patterns into the light. In doing so, it asks you to confront what you may have spent many years avoiding. This emotional vulnerability can cause a temporary spike in anxiety, especially during the early stages of recovery. Talking openly about your worries, trauma, or deep insecurities can make them feel more real and intense at first.
- Facing the Fear – In different forms of therapy, exposure techniques are often used to gradually conquer fears rather than avoid them. This exposure can cause temporary discomfort and stress, but it’s designed to reduce anxiety over time through desensitization. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, much like soreness after a workout, the initial stress is part of the healing process.
- Increasing Self-Awareness – As therapy progresses, you become more attuned to your thoughts and physical sensations. This increased sensitivity can initially make anxiety feel more intense simply because you’re noticing it more often. However, this awareness is also the foundation for learning to manage and respond to anxiety in healthier ways.
- Being Patient – It’s important to remember that progress in therapy isn’t always linear. Some sessions may leave you feeling unsettled, while others can bring relief and clarity. Over time, with consistent effort and support, anxiety can lessen, and emotional resilience can grow.
If your anxiety feels more intense after starting therapy, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not working—it often means you’re becoming more vulnerable, which is necessary for the path to healing. Communicate openly with your therapist about any discomfort for guidance or reassurance. True change will take time, and the initial discomfort is often a sign for the beginning of lasting relief. If you’re looking for professional mental health guidance, please feel free to contact us here at Relucent. We understand the importance of being paired with a qualified expert and we offer a free initial consultation to match you with an anxiety therapist that’s right for you.
