Anxiety is exhausting and it’s also one of the most treatable things we work with at Santos Counseling

Since 2014, we have worked with the Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and surrounding community as a trusted mental health practice. We understand the constant worry. The thoughts that won’t slow down. The physical tension you carry everywhere in your body. The way your mind turns a regular situation into something that feels threatening before you’ve even had a chance to think.

Anxiety is the most common concern we see at Santos Counseling. And one of the things that surprises most new clients is how much it can change with the right type of support.

We offer anxiety counseling in Winston-Salem for adults, young adults, and teens. Our licensed counselors use evidence-based and holistic approaches. Collectively, we hold training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based therapy to help you understand what’s driving your anxiety and build real, lasting tools to manage it.

Signs it might be time to talk to someone

We like to tell our clients that anxiety looks different for everyone. These are some of the things clients describe before they reach out:

• Constant worry you can’t turn off, even when things are fine
• Panic attacks or sudden racing heart and shortness of breath
• Avoiding situations, people, or places because of anxiety
• Trouble sleeping because your mind won’t stop
• Feeling on edge, irritable, or jumpy most of the time
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach tension
• Anxiety that’s affecting your work, relationships, or daily functioning
• Fear of embarrassment or judgment in social situations

Common Physical Signs of Anxiety

Anxiety can sometimes move from the mind to the body and not always in an easy-to-spot way. The signs of anxiety in the body typically come from the activation of the fight-or-flight stress response. Some of the signs include:

• Pounding heart palpitations
• Tension in the back, shoulders, or neck
• Upset stomach
• Hot or cold flashes
• Lightheadedness

Types of Anxiety We Treat 

Did you know that there are different types of anxiety? One of the most common ones is GAD. This stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. You can read more about it by clicking here. Other types vary, as they may be connected to external factors. Below you will see a list to help you better understand anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This type of anxiety is known to be persistent and can be hard to control. Typically, with GAD, the worry is about everyday things. Some people share that they worry about work, health, family, money, and the future. We help you interrupt the worry cycle and build a more grounded way of responding to uncertainty.

Panic Disorder. With this type of anxiety, you may feel sudden, intense panic attacks that can be really overwhelming. Some people who experience panic disorder share that the feeling can come out of nowhere. We work to reduce both the frequency of attacks and the fear of future ones.

Social Anxiety. This type of anxiety is typically connected to social situations. Many experience fear of judgment, embarrassment, or scrutiny in social situations. We help you build confidence and reduce the avoidance that keeps social anxiety in place.

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). With OCD, there are intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that feel impossible to stop. We use evidence-based approaches specifically designed for OCD.

Anxiety in Teens and Children. At Santos Counseling, we work with kids and adults who experience anxiety. Your child may notice anxiety in connection to school stress, separation from a parent, social fears, and performance in sports or during testing. Age-appropriate, effective care suited to where your child or teen is developmentally.

Anxiety and Depression Together. Did you know that anxiety and depression commonly occur together? Our counselors are trained to treat both at the same time with an integrated approach.

Health Anxiety. A medical test or new diagnosis can bring up intense feelings. When the feelings persist, this can turn into anxiety. The body may feel like it’s moved from stress to fight-or-flight. This can include persistent fear about your health or symptoms, even when medical tests come back normal.

Who We Help

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve so many amazing people in the Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and surrounding Triad community. We get it. We are counselors and active members of the community. We know that anxiety can and does affect people at every stage of life. We see it in kids struggling with school and adults trying to balance careers and family responsibilities with everyday stress.

Our goal is to provide you with a welcoming and supportive space. One that holds the highest quality of clinical effectiveness and comfort. We commonly support:

• Adults dealing with work stress, family and life responsibility, and burnout-related anxiety
• Young adults navigating college, career, relationships, and identity
• Teens with school anxiety, academic pressure, social anxiety, or performance pressure
• Children ages 8 and up experiencing separation anxiety, big emotions, or school refusal
• Spanish-speaking clients (consejería en español disponible)
• First responders and high-stress professionals managing the unique pressures that come with such a demanding career

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling For Anxiety