Discover how starting anxiety therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Norfolk
I believe healing happens through genuine connection, and I strive to create a warm, compassionate space where clients feel truly ...
About
I believe healing happens through genuine connection, and I strive to create a warm, compassionate space where clients feel truly seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m Sue Ann McCray, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree from Boston University. I graduated in 2017, and I have 8+ years of experience supporting adolescents, teens, and adults facing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I also work with those in early recovery from substance use. I provide individual therapy, creating a collaborative, reflective space to build insight, resilience, coping skills, and personal growth.
My approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in compassion, acceptance, and respect. I use evidence-based methods tailored to each individual’s needs, to help clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to pursue meaningful, lasting growth.
My care style is warm and collaborative. I create a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard and understood as we work toward meaningful change. Together, we’ll build coping skills, resilience, and self-awareness at a pace that feels right for you. You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone—I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Education and training
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As a therapist, I feel very fortunate to work in a field where I am helping and supporting others as they work on their personal g...
As a therapist, I feel very fortunate to work in a field where I am helping and supporting others as they work on their personal goals.
Sarah Stovall is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 15 years of broad experience in the mental health field. She is dedicated and compassionate about helping others grow, develop healthy relationships, and strengthen their overall emotional well-being. Sarah works with children, adolescents, adults, and families to address their personal challenges. She specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma-related issues, PTSD, relationship issues, parenting, and adjustment to recent life changes.
Sarah completed her Master's degree in Psychology at Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, CA. She has since used her skills and knowledge with all types of clients, where she has observed positive growth and change in others who have overcome many challenges. Sarah utilizes multiple treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), solutions-focused therapy (SFT), family systems (FST), parent-child relations, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT).
Sarah has a great understanding of many different challenges and life experiences that come to each and every one of us. She also has the tools and techniques to offer supportive change. Sarah has the genuineness, open mind, and willingness to work together with you to support whatever challenges you might be facing. She looks forward to you scheduling your first session.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for treating anxiety is exposure therapy. I find that the best benefit of facing anxiety is that my clients can gradually begin facing small fears and find confidence in overcoming anxiety.
I teach the following tools in anxiety therapy: deep breathing, coping skills, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, visualization techniques, and grounding.
I know a patient is making progress in accomplishing anxiety-related goals when they are better able to face things that would have caused fear and discomfort before therapy by implementing self-report and assessment tools.
Clients can journal, do anxiety-related workbooks, and use apps focused on mindfulness.
To prepare for your first anxiety therapy session, you can do a quick 5-minute meditation to help get you to a calmer headspace.
Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Norfolk, VA can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day anxiety or your anxiety disorder.
Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Norfolk therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.
One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be incredibly effective in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. Other effective techniques include exposure therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR therapy.
Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.
On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.
Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.
Do you feel overly fatigued after a day of excessive worry? Do you avoid work functions for fear of meeting new people? Does anxiety prevent you from doing routine activities like driving, showing up for work, or leaving your house?
If you relate to these questions, you might be struggling with an anxiety disorder. You’re not alone, and help is available. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling are ready to help you manage and overcome your anxiety and stress.
Call us at (757) 280-4736 to get started today.
Anxiety comes in many forms and can cause a variety of symptoms. People struggling with anxiety generally worry more days than not and might experience:
These symptoms can make daily living difficult. If they’re interfering with your daily activities, you might have an anxiety disorder.
If the symptoms above sound familiar, we can help. At Thriveworks Norfolk Counseling, your anxiety therapist will work with you to determine the type of anxiety you have and provide the tools, skills, and support needed to manage your symptoms and live the life you want. Anxiety can stem from various causes, whether genetic predisposition or stressful experiences. Common types of anxiety disorders include:
Your Thriveworks Norfolk counselor will help you identify your anxiety type and create a personalized treatment plan.
At Thriveworks Norfolk, we are dedicated to providing client-focused care. Ready to take the next step? Call us at (757) 317-4315 to schedule an appointment.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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