Anxiety counseling · Louisville, KY and online
An anxiety therapist in Louisville for when your mind won't slow down
When anxious thoughts won't quiet down, you don't have to keep pushing through on your own. Counseling gives you practical tools, and someone in your corner.
- Usually seen the same week
- In person in Middletown or online
You might be here because
- You can't turn your mind off, especially at night.
- You're getting things done, but it feels like a full-time job just to hold it together.
- Worry jumps from one thing to the next, and it's exhausting.
- Your heart races or your chest tightens, and you're not sure why.
- You avoid places or people because of how anxious they make you.
- You've been told to "just relax," and it hasn't helped.
- You've had a panic attack, and now you're afraid of the next one.
- You keep checking your body or searching symptoms, and the reassurance never lasts.
It doesn't have to make sense yet
Anxiety can be hard to put into words. You don't need to have it figured out before you start. Early sessions are about building a clear picture of what's happening for you, and that's part of the work.
Kinds of anxiety we help with
- Constant worry that jumps from one thing to the next (generalized anxiety)
- Panic attacks: sudden waves of fear with a racing heart, shaking, or feeling like you can't breathe
- Social anxiety: dreading being judged, replaying conversations, avoiding people
- Phobias: intense fear of a specific thing, like driving, flying, or needles
- Health anxiety: worrying something is seriously wrong with your body, even after reassurance
- High-functioning anxiety: getting everything done while running on worry underneath (read more)
Faith at the center, never forced
Anxiety isn't a spiritual failure. If you want it, your counselor can help you bring your worries to God honestly, pray, and lean on Scripture as a source of steadiness rather than another thing to get right.
If you'd rather leave faith out, your counselor's care is just as thorough, and they follow your lead. How faith works at Freedom
How anxiety shows up in your body
Anxiety isn't only in your head. It can show up as a racing heart, a tight chest, an upset stomach, headaches, tense muscles, restlessness, or trouble falling or staying asleep. If you notice these, it's worth getting checked by your doctor too, and then working on the anxiety itself.
Practical tools, not just a place to talk
Counseling for anxiety at Freedom is active and practical. Our counselors use approaches with strong research behind them, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches. You'll learn what keeps anxiety going for you, and practice ways to respond that loosen its grip.
If unwanted, repeating thoughts are a big part of what you're facing, that may be OCD, which has a specific, effective treatment. See OCD treatment.
Your counselor tracks progress with you along the way, so you can both see what's helping.
For panic and phobias, your counselor may suggest facing what you fear in small, planned steps, so your body learns it's safe. It's always your choice and always case by case; if it isn't right for you, there's another route.
Panic attacks and the fear of the next one
After a panic attack, many people start avoiding anything that might trigger another one: driving, stores, exercise, being far from home. The avoidance makes sense, and it usually makes the fear grow. Counseling helps you understand what's happening in your body and gradually take your life back, at a pace you agree to.
Health anxiety
If you keep checking your body, searching symptoms, or seeking reassurance that doesn't last, that may be health anxiety. We usually recommend a screening with your doctor first, to make sure nothing medical is being missed. Then counseling can help with the cycle of worry and checking itself.
Something to try right now: the 3-3-3 rule
When anxiety spikes, bring your attention back to the room:
- Name 3 things you can see.
- Name 3 sounds you can hear.
- Move 3 parts of your body: your fingers, your shoulders, your feet.
It won't fix anxiety, but it can help you get steady enough for the next step. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
Anxiety and faith
Many Christians feel guilty for being anxious, as if worrying means their faith isn't strong enough. Anxiety isn't a spiritual failure. If you want faith in your counseling, your counselor can help you bring your worries to God without shame, and use what you believe as a source of steadiness. If not, you'll get the same clinical care.
Anxiety in men and boys
In men and boys, anxiety often doesn't look like worry. It can look like irritability, needing control, working nonstop, or trouble sleeping. Luke works with boys and men, 8 and up, and Tony works with men too.
Will I need medication?
Not necessarily. Counseling alone helps many people. For others, medication from a physician works well alongside counseling. Your counselor can talk through what makes sense and refer you for a medication evaluation if it's worth exploring. Freedom doesn't prescribe medication.
When another kind of care fits better
If your symptoms are severe and need psychiatric care or medication management, we'll help you find the right provider.
Counselors who work with anxiety
- Tony Gore LCSW, Owner and Director Teens and adults whose anxiety is spilling into every part of life: work, home, relationships, and sleep. $165 per session
- Luke Burgett LPCA, ACT-trained Boys and men, age 8 and up, working through anxiety, worry, and panic. $115 per session
- Staci Harrub LPCA, EMDR-trained Young adults and adults working through anxiety and perfectionism. $100 per session
- Kasie Secrest LPCA, EMDR-trained Women and older teens working through anxiety. $100 per session
- Rhonda Gore Marriage and Family Therapy Life Coach Women and older teens working through anxiety and shame. $110 per session
- Sophie Bowman Student Counselor, supervised by Tony Gore, LCSW Children, teens, and young adults working through anxiety and self-esteem. $50 per session
Your first session
It's normal to feel anxious about your first session. You'll talk about what you've been experiencing and what you'd like to be different, at whatever pace feels okay. Sessions are in our Middletown office or online.
What it costs
$50 to $165
per 50-minute session
We don't bill insurance, but you can pay with an HSA or FSA card, and we'll give you a superbill to submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Common questions
Will I need medication?
Not necessarily. Your counselor can refer you for an evaluation if it seems worth exploring.
How is this different from general counseling?
It uses structured approaches built for anxiety, with practical tools for your specific symptoms.
What if my anxiety feels too big to explain?
You don't need the words yet. Figuring it out together is part of the work.
How quickly will I feel better?
It varies. Some people notice change within a few months; longer-standing patterns can take more time. Your counselor tracks progress with you.
I tried therapy before and it didn't help. Why would this be different?
Often the approach or the fit wasn't right. Matching the right approach to you is part of what we do.
Is it normal to feel anxious about starting?
Very. You don't need to feel calm before you reach out.
What kind of therapist is best for anxiety?
One trained in approaches with strong research behind them for anxiety, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, including step-by-step exposure, when it fits) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and one you feel comfortable with. Fit matters as much as method.
What type of therapy is best for anxiety?
CBT has the most research behind it, and ACT helps many people too. Your counselor will match the approach to what you're facing and what you're comfortable with.
Does anxiety therapy work?
For many people, yes. No counselor can promise a result, but you and your counselor will track progress together, so you can see what's helping.
What is the 3-3-3 rule?
A quick grounding exercise: name 3 things you see, 3 sounds you hear, and move 3 parts of your body.
You can feel steadier than this
Request an appointment in about a minute, or call (502) 523-2970. Most people are seen the same week.
Prefer to talk? (502) 523-2970