Anxiety Counselling in Vaughan, Ontario
Our anxiety counselling program in Vaughan is designed to help individuals understand anxiety, reduce symptoms, and build long-term resilience. Treatment focuses on helping you become well—and stay well—using evidence-based psychotherapy led by a registered clinical psychologist.
Anxiety is not just about feeling “nervous.” It often involves persistent worry, avoidance of situations, unwanted intrusive thoughts, physical symptoms, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly affect relationships, work, health, and quality of life.
Therapy focuses on reducing emotional reactivity, anticipatory anxiety, and avoidance behaviours while helping you develop practical skills to respond differently to fear and uncertainty.
Psychologist-Led Anxiety Treatment
All anxiety treatment is provided by a registered clinical psychologist in Vaughan. This is not passive talk therapy. Sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and focused on skill development.
Clients are supported through:
- Psychological assessment and formulation
- Identification of maintaining factors (thoughts, behaviours, safety behaviours)
- Homework and between-session practice
- Assessment of comorbid concerns that may affect anxiety recovery
What Makes Our Anxiety Program Different
1. Learning to Tolerate Uncertainty
Anxiety thrives on intolerance of uncertainty. Treatment focuses on helping you recognize where you already tolerate uncertainty in daily life—and applying those skills to anxiety-provoking situations.
2. Identifying Safety Behaviours and Mental Rituals
Avoidance and safety behaviours temporarily reduce anxiety but reinforce fear long-term. Therapy helps you identify both behavioural and mental rituals that maintain anxiety so they can be reduced safely and effectively.
3. Evidence-Based, Goal-Oriented Treatment
Treatment is structured, measurable, and tailored to your specific anxiety presentation. Progress is monitored throughout therapy.
4. Proven Clinical Experience
We have extensive experience treating anxiety disorders using approaches supported by clinical research and practice guidelines.
How Anxiety Counselling Can Help
- Reduce anxiety symptoms and emotional reactivity
- Decrease avoidance and fear-based behaviours
- Improve confidence and quality of life
- Challenge fears using evidence-based strategies
- Build long-term coping and resilience skills
Types of Anxiety Disorders We Treat
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Selective Mutism
- Specific Phobias (animal, situational, medical, environmental)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Therapeutic Approaches Used in Anxiety Treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps individuals understand how thoughts influence emotions and behaviour. By challenging distorted thinking and gradually changing behaviour through exposure, anxiety symptoms reduce over time.
Learn more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on reducing emotional avoidance and helping individuals live meaningful lives even when anxiety is present. It is particularly effective for health anxiety, phobias, and chronic worry.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness helps individuals relate differently to anxiety by learning to observe thoughts and sensations without judgment. Acceptance often leads to symptom reduction rather than escalation.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders and OCD. Clients are gradually and carefully exposed to feared situations while reducing avoidance and safety behaviours. Treatment is collaborative, paced, and never overwhelming.
Anxiety Counselling in Vaughan and Across Ontario
In-person anxiety counselling is available at our Vaughan counselling centre. We also offer secure virtual therapy across Ontario.
Related resources:
- Psychologist in Vaughan
- Psychotherapy services
- Disorders Associated with Anxiety
- Why Am I Feeling This Way?
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Counselling
Is anxiety counselling effective?
Yes. CBT, ACT, and ERP are strongly supported by research and are considered first-line treatments for anxiety disorders.
How long does anxiety therapy take?
Length of therapy depends on the type and severity of anxiety. Many clients notice improvement within structured, time-limited treatment.
Will I be forced to face fears?
No. Exposure work is collaborative and only begins when you feel ready. You are never pushed beyond what is manageable.
Do you treat OCD?
Yes. OCD is treated using Exposure and Response Prevention therapy by a psychologist experienced in anxiety and OCD treatment.
About the Psychologist
Robert Roopa, M.Ed., C.Psych. is a registered clinical psychologist providing assessment and psychotherapy in Vaughan, Ontario. He offers evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, and stress-related concerns, with in-person services in Vaughan and secure online therapy across Ontario.
To book an appointment or ask questions, call or text/iMessage 416-999-3437.
