How Anxiety Therapy Helps in 2025: Managing Stress from Economic Uncertainty and the Impact of New Policies

Why Anxiety Is Rising in 2025

Many of us in the U.S. are feeling a lot more anxious than usual. Similar to the Covid pandemic, major shifts in society that are unpredictable and out of our control are driving feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability, which feed anxiety. Our brains are wired for survival, so this anxiety is actually a normal response to a threat to stability.

The Psychological Impact of Economic and Political Changes

Some policy changes are going to cause real vulnerability in terms of financial and physical security for many people, so feelings of anger or fear are warranted. Social and emotional threats aren’t just about hurt feelings - we are wired for connection, and are interdependent as humans. Distress is coming from both the tangible consequences of social injustice and the disruption of close personal relationships due to political differences.

Many of us are already seeing the impact in our own lives or communities, so anger or fear aren’t pathological symptoms that need to be rationalized; but, staying in an activated fear state is not going to be sustainable. How do you know if the stress is impacting your health?

Common warning signs you might need help are:

• Inability to relax your body or shift into rest. Your mind doesn’t shut off, and you can’t stop thinking about what’s going on. You’re constantly scrolling for news, looking for perspectives from others who might reassure you or give some sort of answer or direction, but it never calms down (or ramps right back up).

• Physical symptoms of muscle tension, racing heart, sweating, headaches, shaking, or fatigue (not related to a medical cause).

• Insomnia, waking in the middle of the night in a panic, waking too early. Or sleeping too much, not wanting to face the day.

• You’re not doing the things you normally would, like exercise or hobbies. Or when you try, you’re not enjoying them like you used to or you can’t concentrate long enough to do something like read a book.

• Withdrawing from people.

• Consistently worrying about what’s going to happen. Again sometimes the worry or negative prediction is actually true. But if you’re constantly catastrophizing and worrying about many things in life, that might be a warning sign.

Evidence-Based Ways to Cope with Uncertainty

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most evidence-based treatments for anxiety. CBT is focused on rationalizing your thoughts by examining the evidence for and against your anxious thought. Often when we feel uncertain, there’s a lack of confidence that we can cope with the feared outcome. In CBT we can focus on the evidence that you can cope - looking at past successes, for instance. You can also look at the evidence on a bigger scale and see when society has faced a similar crisis, how did people overcome? What actions can we take in our personal lives, and as a community to move forward? Do we have those capabilities?

Mindfulness is another approach that is my own go-to for uncertainty and racing thoughts. Mindful breathing is a tool we can use wherever we are to bring ourselves out of the thoughts and into our bodies, into the present moment. You might have to do it over and over, but over time it does get easier.

Finding solutions for the tangible problems also helps uncertainty. If you’re facing economic uncertainty because you may be laid off or you’re struggling with inflation, lay out some steps you can take. Working on your resume, networking, or working on your budget can help you feel more in control of your life. If you’re facing an urgent issue around immigration or employment law, seek out advice from legal counsel.

Set boundaries with social media and news consumption. This is tough when you want to be informed, so determine where you want to get your information and set a timer for how long you’re going to spend. Maybe write out the questions you want answered before you even open your phone or computer, and stick to finding the information then getting out.

Connect with others. It can help immensely to talk with other people who are also going through the same thing. Particularly if you can talk on the phone or in person. Sharing the struggle and having a sense of connection can ease some of the anxiety. It can also help if you feel like you are part of a solution with others.

Go outside. Connect with nature. Last week in the Cincinnati area, we had a really warm day for the middle of winter. It’s amazing how getting outside can lift the mood, make you feel connected with something bigger than yourself, and remind you that the world has been here a long time and weathered so many storms before now.

Deciding to Seek Professional Help for Anxiety

If you’re doing all you can to manage anxiety on your own but still find yourself overwhelmed, it’s time to find an anxiety therapist. Will a therapist fix what’s going on? Unfortunately no (though licensed Social Workers sure try!). But a therapist can help you process and get un-stuck so you can move forward. Being overwhelmed by anxiety can keep you from taking action that can help you, as well as others. Therapy can be a place to process the emotions productively so you can get back into living your life.

Finding the right therapist can make a big difference in your life. If you’re ready to start, click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with an experienced online anxiety therapist from Cincinnati today for virtual counseling in Indiana and Ohio. Or call/text 513-461-2045.

Finding the Right Depression Therapist in Cincinnati: Your Guide to Effective Treatment Options

Introduction: Why Seeking Help for Depression Matters

Depression is a beast. It can be triggered by an event or difficult time in life, or it can seemingly creep in out of nowhere and take control of your life. If you’ve tried to cope on your own but still feel the crushing weight of depression, it’s time to get help.

There are many treatment options for depression, and therapy is one of the most effective ways to heal. A good therapist can also help you navigate other options like medication and lifestyle changes if therapy alone isn’t cutting it. Seeking help for depression can start to give you some hope like a light at the end of the tunnel, and you deserve to get support to start feeling better.

The good news is, many licensed therapists can treat depression. It’s one of the more common mental health diagnoses we see, and there are several evidence-based treatments for depression specifically. In Cincinnati, there are many therapists who treat depression as a specialty or in their wheelhouse.

What to Look for in a Depression Therapist in Cincinnati

If you’re looking for depression help in Cincinnati, you’ll find several types of treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most common because there’s a lot of evidence behind it. You will also find more brain or body-based treatments like EMDR or Somatic Experiencing. You can call a few different types of therapists for a consultation and see which approach seems like it would be the best fit for you.

For some people, medication is part of treatment. Your therapist can refer you to a psychiatrist, or collaborate with your doctor to be sure you’re getting the best care from a team approach.

Another great option for treatment is group therapy. There are depression treatment groups in Cincinnati, as well as virtually in Ohio and Indiana. Your therapist can help you find these resources.

How to Choose the Best Depression Therapist for You

The best way to find the right therapist is to call a few who seem promising, and do a quick consultation. Speaking by phone or on video is a great way to gauge whether you click with that therapist as a person, and to determine if that particular approach fits what you need.

Conclusion: Start Your Journey to Better Mental Health

Are you ready to get depression help in Cincinnati, or anywhere in Ohio or Indiana? Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with an experienced online depression therapist from Cincinnati today for virtual counseling in Indiana and Ohio. Or call/text 513-461-2045.