Telehealth Anxiety Treatment: Evidence-Based Approaches

Understanding Anxiety and Its Treatment Through Telehealth

According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. . . Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders. They affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. However, anxiety disorders are treatable with a number of psychotherapeutic treatments. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.”

Additionally, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that “anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.”

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Conditions (DSM-V) provides specific criteria for diagnosing generalized anxiety disorder:

• Excessive anxiety and worry
• Difficulty controlling worry
• Anxiety and worry are associated with at least three of the following:
  • Restlessness
  • Being easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance
• Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning
• Disturbance is not better explained by a substance or another mental health condition

At ReachLink, we understand that treating anxiety disorders requires a personalized approach. Our licensed therapists provide expert guidance through our secure telehealth platform, helping you explore various treatment options that may include therapy, medication consultation, or a combination of approaches.

A meta-analysis review published by International Clinical Psychopharmacology found that medications, online therapy, in-person therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and group CBT therapy can all benefit people living with anxiety disorders. The effectiveness of each approach varies by individual, which is why our ReachLink therapists work closely with you to find the most suitable treatment for your specific symptoms.

Every person’s experience with anxiety is unique. ReachLink’s telehealth platform allows us to offer multiple therapeutic approaches that can be combined to address both symptoms and underlying causes of anxiety and related conditions like panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Evidence-Based Telehealth Approaches for Anxiety

Mindfulness-Based Therapy Through Video Sessions

Mindfulness-based therapy, often referred to as MBCT (Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy), has shown positive effects in treating anxiety. Through ReachLink’s video therapy sessions, our therapists guide clients through mindfulness practices that can be easily incorporated into daily life.

Several studies have demonstrated that mindfulness-based therapy can reduce anxiety symptoms comparably to other behavioral therapies. During ReachLink’s telehealth sessions, you’ll learn mindful meditation techniques and breathing exercises that can be practiced anywhere. While some sessions may be conducted in virtual groups, we also offer individual mindfulness training tailored to your specific needs and schedule.

Cognitive Therapy in a Digital Environment

The foundation of cognitive therapy is the established connection between thoughts and feelings. Many anxiety sufferers experience persistent worrying thoughts and fears. Through ReachLink’s secure video platform, our therapists help you identify and modify these thought patterns.

The process of identifying negative thinking patterns (cognitive distortions) and replacing them with more rational and positive thoughts—called “cognitive restructuring”—is a core component of our anxiety treatment approach. Clinical neuroscience experts have found evidence that cognitive therapy effectively restructures automatic thinking patterns.

During your ReachLink sessions, your therapist will help you challenge unhelpful thoughts and perspectives. While this process may feel uncomfortable initially, our therapists create a supportive digital environment where you can work through these challenges at your own pace. Successful outcomes depend on trust in the process and completing recommended exercises between sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Via Telehealth

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched and effective treatments for anxiety disorders. ReachLink’s platform makes this gold-standard treatment accessible from the comfort of your home.

The premise of CBT is that anxiety stems from unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors that can be modified. A 2020 randomized controlled trial found that digital CBT effectively improved:

• Depressive symptoms
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Well-being
• Quality of life

Through ReachLink’s video sessions, our therapists teach you to recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making conscious efforts to transform them. We emphasize building confidence in your ability to create positive change. Between sessions, you’ll practice applying these tools in real-life situations, with your therapist providing guidance and support throughout the process.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in a Virtual Setting

ReachLink offers dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) through our telehealth platform for those who experience intense emotions alongside their anxiety. “Dialectical” refers to combining opposites—in this case, accepting strong negative emotions while changing unhelpful behaviors.

DBT therapy focuses on teaching coping skills that help you navigate intense emotions in healthy ways and improve interpersonal relationships. The distress tolerance techniques taught during ReachLink’s DBT sessions are particularly beneficial for reducing anxiety levels.

Our therapists also use this approach to address conditions often co-occurring with anxiety, such as depression and specific phobias, as well as helping individuals who have experienced trauma.

Family Therapy Through Secure Video Connections

Research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that family therapy can prevent the transmission of anxiety disorders from parents to children. Through ReachLink’s platform, multiple family members can join therapy sessions regardless of their location.

Our family therapists specialize in understanding how family dynamics impact mental health and behavior. We create a virtual space where family members can participate actively in the therapeutic process, addressing anxiety patterns that may affect the entire family system.

Innovative Approaches to Anxiety Treatment

While traditional in-person therapy often incorporates animal-assisted therapy, ReachLink has developed alternative approaches for our telehealth clients. Our therapists may recommend complementary practices to enhance your treatment, such as guided visualization exercises, progressive muscle relaxation techniques, and structured journaling.

These evidence-based practices can be easily integrated into our telehealth sessions and your daily routine, providing additional tools for managing anxiety between appointments.

The ReachLink Difference in Anxiety Treatment

ReachLink’s telehealth platform removes traditional barriers to therapy, making quality anxiety treatment accessible regardless of location, schedule constraints, or mobility limitations. Our HIPAA-compliant technology ensures your privacy while providing convenient access to specialized anxiety treatment.

We carefully match you with therapists experienced in treating your specific type of anxiety, and our flexible scheduling accommodates even the busiest lifestyles. Through our comprehensive approach, we’re committed to helping you not just manage anxiety symptoms but develop lasting coping skills for long-term wellbeing.