WHEN ANXIETY FEELS RELENTLESS, GENERIC COPING SKILLS WON'T DO THE TRICK
If you’ve tried breathing exercises, journaling, reassurance, or “thinking positively” and it hasn’t helped—you’re not failing. You’re likely dealing with disordered anxiety, and it needs a different kind of treatment.
You don't just need head nods, validation, and empathy. You need a structured, evidence-based approach that works.
JOEL SCHMIDT, LICENSED THERAPIST & ANXIETY SPECIALIST
When it comes to specialized health concerns, you see a specialist. Not a general practitioner. The same should hold true for mental health.
I’m Joel and I specialize in helping people with anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, specific fears, OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety that feels very physical, work pressure, social anxiety, and persistent overthinking—using evidence-based structured approaches that help you change your relationship with anxiety in ways that help you get on with your life (even when anxiety shows up) and in ways that will decrease the intensity of anxiety over time.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Panic attacks or Fear of Having one?
Constantly Monitoring Thoughts or Body Sensastions
Rumination that Feels Impossible to Stop
Hyper-focus on thoughts, sensations, or "what if" outcomes
Always Feeling Like Something is "Off" or "Wrong"
Difficulty Dealing with Uncertainty
Anxiety showing up in places that used to feel easy
Avoiding Doing things to Prevent Anxiety
ANXIETY DOESN'T HAVE TO DICTATE YOUR LIFE...
Most intuitive attempts to manage anxiety (like avoiding situations, seeking reassurance, or trying to control symptoms) tend to make it stronger over time, even when done with the best intentions. This is why anxiety can feel confusing, persistent, and hard to fix.
I use evidence-based approaches that target how anxiety actually works in the brain, body, and nervous system.
This work isn’t about eliminating anxiety. It’s about changing your relationship with it. As anxiety is treated as less threatening and responded to less urgently, the alarm doesn’t need to fire as loudly or as often.
You don’t have to wait for anxiety to live the kind of life you want to live.
SCHEDULE A FREE 15-20 MIN CONSULTATION WITH JOEL
Let’s meet, briefly talk about what’s going on, answer any questions you might have, and see if I will be a good fit for working with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much will it cost and do you take insurance?
Sessions are $235 per session but we can help you verify out-of-network benefits for insurance reimbursement. Many people are able to get a significant percentage back. You may also be able to use a Health Savings Account.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, all sessions are conducted via secure virtual sessions to clients all throughout Florida and South Carolina.
What happens during the Free Consultation?
You’ll meet with me (Joel) for 15-20 minutes to briefly talk about what’s going on, to ask any questions you might have, and to make sure the approach will be a good fit for you. We can verify out-of-network insurance benefits if desired.
How often do we meet and how long will therapy take?
Although it varies depending on the person, this approach is evidence-based and designed to be structured and goal-focused. Meeting once per week is most common initially although it will be entirely up to you and your needs.
What if I’ve tried therapy before and it did not work?
That’s actually very common for people dealing with panic, OCD, and chronic anxiety or anxiety that feels very physical. Although most therapists can help with general anxiety, many are not fully specialized.
How does it work?
We help you gradually face anxiety triggers while learning how to respond to them in a new way. Instead of getting pulled inward trying to control thoughts and symptoms, the focus is on handling anxiety more effectively and staying engaged in your life. As your brain learns that these alarms aren’t dangerous, they start to settle down. When done consistently, this approach is highly effective. This type of therapy is not just you talking and me listening. You’ll feel like you have direction and new tools to start working with right away.
Do I need to feel ready to start?
No. Most people don’t feel fully ready when they begin. This work is designed to help you move forward even when anxiety is present, rather than waiting for it to go away first. You’ll be in control of the process, move at a pace that feels manageable, and have a say in what you take on and when. We’ll guide it together in a structured way.