Anxiety is Not Your Identity

Anxiety is Not Your Identity: How to Take Control of Your Mind

Many clients come into therapy believing their anxiety is something they have little control over, especially those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). They may have spent years in therapy, yet when asked what they understand about anxiety—what it is, why it happens, and how they can manage it—most have very few answers and even fewer tools.

This lack of understanding isn’t their fault. It’s a common misconception that anxiety disorders are static and unchangeable, something we simply "have to live with." But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Here’s what I want all of my clients to know: we all have anxiety. It’s a natural, built-in response, and the difference isn’t whether you experience it, but whether you manage it well or let it control you.

In my practice, I teach clients how their minds work, and more importantly, how they can monitor and mitigate their anxiety. It’s a skill that requires practice, but over time, the results can be life-changing. In fact, individuals who were once diagnosed with an anxiety disorder can move to a place where they no longer meet the diagnostic criteria.