Anxiety Counseling in Virginia & Maryland
I help Catholics struggling with anxiety find lasting peace through faith-based counseling and evidence-based therapy, so they can regain control of their thoughts and deepen their trust in God.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is more than just worry—it can leave you feeling restless, tense, or overwhelmed by thoughts that won’t quiet down. You might find yourself constantly on edge, replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or fearing outcomes that feel beyond your control. The harder you try to stop the anxious thoughts, the stronger they seem to get. It can attach itself to the future, the past, and take you anywhere but the present moment.
Living with anxiety can feel like being stuck in a loop of “what ifs” and self-doubt. But you don’t have to stay there.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we offer faith-based anxiety therapy that integrates Catholic faith and evidence-based treatment to help you find calm, clarity, and hope. Together, we’ll work to quiet the mental noise, rebuild your sense of peace, and help you grow in trust—both in God and in yourself.
If you’re seeking Catholic counseling for anxiety in Virginia, you’ve come to the right place. Healing is possible, and we’re here to walk with you on that journey..
How Anxiety Affects Your Life
When anxiety takes over, it’s hard to live life the way you want. You might feel trapped in your own thoughts—constantly on edge, restless, or unable to quiet your mind no matter how hard you try. Some common experiences include:
Racing thoughts: Your mind feels like it’s always running, replaying worries or “what ifs” you can’t turn off.
Feeling alone and distant: It’s exhausting to pretend everything’s fine while you’re battling anxiety inside. You might feel like no one truly understands what you’re going through.
Trying everything, but nothing works: You may find yourself asking others for comfort or checking things repeatedly, but the relief never lasts for long.
Physical tension and fatigue: Anxiety can leave you feeling tense, drained, and unable to relax—even when you most need rest.
These patterns can make it difficult to be present with your family, enjoy the things you love, or move through your day without feeling worn out.
At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we offer faith-based anxiety therapy that integrates Catholic faith and evidence-based treatment to help you find calm, confidence, and lasting peace. Together, we’ll work to help you quiet the anxiety, strengthen your trust in God, and reclaim the life you were made to live.
Catholic Counseling Approach To Anxiety
Drawing on our faith
At Ora et Labora, we blend professional therapy with Catholic values. For many of my clients, faith is central to their lives. They want to bring their faith into therapy, not leave it out. We can work together to address your mental health challenges while staying true to your spiritual beliefs.
Faith and mental healing are not opposed. Working on our mental health is one way in which we explore who we are and who we are created to be in the light of faith. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, OCD, or spiritual presentations of anxiety like scrupulosity, we’ll create a plan that works for both your mind and your soul.
When is anxiety beyond a normal emotion?
Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of life, but sometimes anxiety goes beyond what’s typical. When worries start interfering with your daily life, relationships, or sense of peace, it may be a sign that professional support can help.
Our work together helps clients identify when anxiety has become overwhelming, develop practical coping strategies, and grow in trust—both in God and in their own ability to navigate life with peace.
If you’re seeking a Catholic therapist for anxiety in Virginia, we’re here to walk with you toward clarity, calm, and lasting hope.
What to Expect from Counseling
You might feel unsure about starting therapy. Many people worry that their issues aren’t “bad enough” for help, or they’re afraid therapy won’t work for them. Therapy is for anyone who feels stuck and wants to improve their life.
In our sessions, we’ll work on real tools that you can use outside of therapy. We’ll address both your mental health struggles and any spiritual concerns you may have. You’ll learn how to manage anxiety, reduce compulsive behaviors, and live a life that feels more in control.
Faith-Based Healing
In our sessions, I’ll integrate your Catholic faith with therapy, so we can focus on both your mental health and your spiritual well-being.
Understanding the Faith
I understand how anxiety can affect your spiritual life, and I’ll help you work through those religious fears, so you can find peace.
Shared Values
As a fellow Catholic, I share your faith and values, which means I understand where you’re coming from and can support you in a way that feels right for you.
Whole-Person Care
We’ll look at both your mental and spiritual needs, helping you grow stronger in your mental health and deeper in your faith.
Why Choose Catholic Counseling for Anxiety and OCD?
To address anxiety and OCD, we’ll use methods like:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
These approaches are proven to help people with these issues. CBT helps you change the patterns of thinking that fuel anxiety. ACT focuses on redeveloping an approach to life centered around values and committed action. ERP helps you face the things that trigger your OCD without falling back into the rituals.
Over time, you’ll learn how to manage your intrusive thoughts and feelings without being controlled by them. Therapy won’t make your challenges disappear overnight, but it will help you change how you respond to them, giving you more freedom in your daily life.
How Therapy For Anxiety and OCD Can Help You
If you’re looking for therapy that truly respects your faith, Catholic counseling might be what you need. Your faith is a big part of who you are, and it should be part of your healing too. In our sessions, we’ll focus on what’s really going on in your life, whether it’s anxiety, OCD, or something else, without leaving your beliefs behind. You don’t have to separate your mental health from your faith.
Here, we’ll work through your struggles in a way that honors both. It’s not just about managing symptoms but finding a path that helps you grow mentally and spiritually. This is a space where you can feel fully understood—where both your faith and your mental health matter.
Breaking Free from the Weight of Anxiety
Anxiety and OCD can make you feel like you’re always on the edge of losing control. The constant worry, intrusive thoughts, the rituals, and the fear of failure can be overwhelming. You might be scared of letting others down or never breaking free from this cycle.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In therapy, we’ll focus on giving you tools to manage those thoughts and behaviors so they don’t control you. You can step away from the fear and start living in a way that feels more balanced and free from the weight of failure.
Ready to connect?
Start the conversation today.
Anxiety can make you feel like you’re losing control, but therapy can help. At Ora et Labora Catholic Counseling, we’re here to support you. If you’re ready to start the journey toward a more peaceful, balanced life, reach out to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to face this alone.