Learn / Anxiety Treatment Options Explained: Virtual, Outpatient, and Residential Care
Anxiety Treatment Options Explained: Virtual, Outpatient, and Residential Care
Key Points
- More people in the U.S. are reporting anxiety than ever before.
- Treatment options are also expanding, with many rehab programs now available online.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used to treat anxiety.
As someone intimately familiar with anxiety, you already know there’s no simple explanation for what causes your anxiety or even why you feel anxious some days and not others. Everyday life is full of different triggers. On top of that, today many of us are also facing the additional stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic: sheltering in place, living in isolation, worrying about income and job security, balancing working and schooling from home. The list could go on.
It’s not surprising, then, that throughout 2020, the amount of mental health cases, including anxiety, has been on the rise. One U.S. nonprofit, Mental Health America (MHA), reported that, of the 1.5 million people they screened, the number of people with moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety1 steadily increased throughout the past year.
“As the pandemic relentlessly persists, we are seeing the highest levels of anxiety and depression reported since the pandemic2 hit the U.S. in March,” said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of MHA. “This is a troubling trend being fueled by loneliness and isolation.”
No matter why you’re feeling anxious, remember: You’re not alone. Many different types of treatment options and therapies are still available to help you cope with, manage and move beyond your anxiety.
Virtual Therapy or Telehealth
This past year, the availability of telehealth appointments, or audio/visual calls with a therapist or health professional, has skyrocketed. Although the tech to accommodate virtual appointments has been around for more than a decade, the lockdowns and social distancing requirements brought on by COVID propelled many companies to start offering telehealth as a viable choice for receiving treatment.
In fact, Amwell’s 2020 Physician and Consumer survey found that, of those surveyed, the percentage of physicians who offered telehealth nearly quadrupled3 from 22% to 80% between 2019 and 2020. And the number of consumers who took advantage of virtual care grew from 8% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. The medical industry in general has rapidly pivoted this past year to accommodate the needs of patients who have restricted in-person appointment availability and options, no matter what the reasons. It’s clear from the surge in use that telehealth is likely here to stay.
Online Anxiety Rehab Programs
Similarly to the medical industry, today many treatment centers around the world have recognized the need and demand for more online therapy and rehab programs. These virtual outpatient programs offer flexible, ongoing support and treatment from the privacy of your own home. Online anxiety programs can include virtual clinics, online support groups, and one-on-one counseling sessions.
Many centers in our directory offer online and telehealth treatment options to help you find the care you need without having to overcome any physical or location logistical challenges.
Explore Anxiety Treatment Centers
Inpatient Anxiety Treatment
Even though online treatment is a great solution for many people, if you have a severe form of anxiety, inpatient rehab centers offer both a more intensive level of care and a more immersive treatment experience. Seeking inpatient treatment during the pandemic can still be a viable option. Many anxiety treatment centers have remained open, fully operating with all of the necessary, state-required COVID-19 safety precautions in place.
RehabPath’s up-to-date list of open treatment centers with COVID-19 measures in place can help you find access to in-person treatment from some of the best rehabs around the world.
More Information on Healing from Anxiety
Types of Therapies for Anxiety
Part of the fear that comes with seeking treatment is the fear of the unknown: What’s actually going to happen when I get help for my anxiety? And that fear only makes your anxiety worse! So, understanding the types of therapies your counselor or rehab center may use can help you overcome that fear and reduce your anxiety around actually getting help.
Therapists use many different types of therapies to treat anxiety:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):4 This is a form of talk therapy that focuses on equipping you with strategies to understand and change your thinking and behavioral patterns. CBT is the most commonly used therapy to treat anxiety.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT):5 The goal of MBCT is to help you better understand your mind and your moods by combining cognitive therapy practices with meditative, mindfulness practices.
- Experiential Therapy: Going beyond talk therapy, this approach recreates real experiences to help you understand your inner thoughts and better process your emotions. Examples of some of the methods used in experiential therapy include art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, and psychodrama.
- Stress Management: One common root cause of anxiety is chronic stress. This type of therapy will help you identify areas or events in your life adding to your stress, and therefore, anxiety levels.
These therapies can also be used to treat other mental illnesses, like depression and OCD. If your anxiety co-occurs with other mental illnesses, these therapies may be an effective treatment option for your co-occurring mental health issues as well.
Learn Techniques for Managing Anxiety
One of the most impactful effects of getting treatment for anxiety is learning techniques for managing your anxiety that you can rely on and use for the rest of your life. No matter how you get treatment for your anxiety, your therapist will likely equip you with the skills to manage your anxiety at home and to prevent your anxiety from reaching a critical point. Plus, the support you receive from a therapist and/or a program for overcoming your anxiety can continue—with aftercare options and ongoing therapy, your path to healing can be as short or as long as you need it to be.
Find the Best Rehab for Your Anxiety
No matter what your current living, work and relationship circumstances are, you don’t have to suffer through your anxiety. You can get help. There are many local, national and international treatment options and types of therapy available. You can explore our collection of treatment centers by location, treatment approach, or therapy type to find the one that’s best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Going to Rehab for Anxiety
Can you go to rehab for anxiety?
Yes, many rehabs treat anxiety. Treatment options include online and inpatient anxiety rehab programs.
How long should you stay in rehab for anxiety?
The length of stay in rehab for anxiety varies widely based on your unique symptoms. Most rehabs offer 30-90 day programs.
What types of therapy help with anxiety?
These therapies are commonly used to treat anxiety:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy (MBCT)
• Experiential therapy
• Stress management
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The state of mental health in america. (n.d.). Mental Health America.
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Number of people reporting anxiety and depression nationwide since start of pandemic hits all-time high in September, hitting young people hardest. (2020, October 20). Mental Health America.
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From Virtual Care to Hybrid Care: COVID-19 and the Future of Telehealth. (n.d.). Amwell.
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What is cognitive behavioral therapy? (n.d.). https://www.apa.org.
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Your Guide To Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. (n.d.). MBCT.com.
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