Anxiety Therapy Portland

Despite your best efforts to hold it together, your worries just get larger and scarier. You’re white-knuckling it through daily routines that you think shouldn’t be so hard (like heading out to work, following up to a friend’s message, getting ready for sleep or sitting through a Zoom meeting). What used to feel manageable, or at least tolerable, now leaves you spinning out into vivid worry and fear that it just gets worse from here. Sometimes it’s a low hum in the background, other times it’s dread.

You're exhausted from having to put on a brave face for the people in your life. You show up, you function but inside, you’re afraid that you’re “going crazy” or “losing it.” Have you worried that “this isn’t the kind of thing that people come back from” or felt like your surroundings are now unfamiliar, like you’ve got blinders on that only allow you to focus on what’s concerning you? You’ve mastered the art of hiding your fear, but the effort it takes is leaving you emotionally worn down.

Sometimes you want to share what you’re feeling, but you’re afraid that it will just make it more real or that you’ll feel more alone if you’re not understood. It’s like your nervous system is always on high alert, and even well-meaning conversations can feel overwhelming. Other times you say nothing and shut down, quietly spiraling, convinced no one could really understand what you’re going through. You’re afraid, and you feel alone…right at the moment you need support the most. That’s where anxiety therapy in Portland can help.

Living With Anxiety Has Become Your New Normal

You’ve gotten so used to being worried all the time that you’ve started to believe that’s just who you are. Maybe you catch yourself thinking, “There’s something wrong with me” or “I’m just not like other people.” You might be the kind of person others describe as sensitive, caring, thoughtful, or even high-achieving, but inside, you’re fending off a gripping fear that no one sees.

And lately, it’s been getting worse.

That anxious feeling has started to grow louder. The tightness in your chest shows up more often. Maybe you’ve had panic attacks; your heart races, your breath shortens, and suddenly your body doesn’t feel like your own. You might feel sweaty, restless, or like you want to crawl out of your skin. It’s not just scary, it’s disorienting and you have trouble believing that this is an experience that you can get past.

You’ve started canceling plans and avoiding places where panic has crept in. You avoid being alone with your thoughts, but also avoid being around people, afraid that you’ll lose control or that you’ll embarrass yourself. Your mind races from one fear to the next, and it feels like chaos is looming.

You’re not dramatic. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken.

You’re overwhelmed. You’re doing your best. And you’re not alone.

My Name is Eric Goodwin, an Anxiety Therapist in Portland

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor offering anxiety therapy in Portland and online throughout Oregon. I support people who are trying to survive the invisible, relentless pressure of anxiety. And I want you to know something:

You don’t have to keep managing this alone or pretending everything is okay when it’s not.

Anxiety is painful. It’s isolating. And it’s incredibly misunderstood. That’s why therapy for anxiety is not about “fixing” you, it’s about helping you find steady, compassionate ways to meet your anxiety when it shows up. Together, we can create room for new responses and new experiences that don’t leave you feeling so out of control.

Therapy for Anxiety Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Our work together will begin by helping you feel more grounded and safe in the present moment. We’ll explore practical tools to calm the nervous system when anxiety starts to rise, so you can move from panic to presence.

As our sessions deepen, we’ll look at the patterns that fuel your anxiety: your thoughts, your beliefs, your inner voice. You’ll begin to understand how anxiety functions in your life and where there’s space to shift, grow, and reclaim control. Along the way, we’ll bring in mindfulness, self-compassion, and your unique strengths and creativity.

My approach is calm, purposeful, and supportive. I’m here to walk with you, not to rush or “fix” you, but to offer a steady hand as you reconnect with your sense of peace.

What to Expect From Anxiety Counseling in Portland

For over 10 years, I’ve helped people living with anxiety and panic find more ease, confidence, and joy. Clients often say that after just one session, they feel a sense of relief, like they’re finally doing something to take their life back.

As therapy continues, many of my clients start to:

• Feel more confident in managing anxiety

• Show up more fully within their relationships with loved ones

• Say “yes” to things they used to avoid (or say “no” from reasons other than anxiety - we aren’t meant to just do everything because we feel better)

• Enjoy work, hobbies, and downtime again with less fear

This isn’t about never feeling anxious again, it’s about learning to respond differently when it shows up…And that can change everything.

Getting Started with Anxiety Therapy in Portland

If you’re ready to stop feeling controlled by anxiety and start discovering what life is like with more ease, learn more about anxiety therapy in Portland and how we can work together.

Call me at (971) 533-5590 or contact me here for a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Together, we can create space for peace, calm, and real change.

FAQs for Anxiety Therapy in Portland

1. How do I know if therapy for anxiety is right for me?

If anxiety or panic is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or decisions, therapy can help you understand what’s happening and develop strategies to manage it effectively. Even if you’ve been coping for a long time, feeling stuck, or wondering if it’s “bad enough,” therapy can offer meaningful support and relief.

2. What should I expect in the first session?

We’ll start getting to know each other. The first session is about looking at the big picture (what’s been going on, what’s been hard, what you’re hoping to change) and beginning to shape a plan that feels both supportive and manageable. You’ll never be pushed to share more than you’re ready to.

3. Do you offer techniques for managing panic attacks?

Yes, early sessions focus on practical grounding techniques that can help during moments of panic. These grounding and mindfulness-based tools are designed to bring you back to the present and help your nervous system settle, without judgment or pressure.

4. How long does therapy for anxiety usually take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people feel a shift after a few sessions, while others may need or want longer-term support to work through deeper patterns. We’ll go at a pace that feels right for you and adjust as needed.

5. Can you help if I’ve had anxiety for years?

Absolutely. Anxiety that’s been around for years often becomes part of your inner landscape, but that doesn’t mean it’s unchangeable. We can explore how anxiety has functioned for you, gently shift those patterns, and help you build a more empowering relationship with your experiences.

6. What makes your approach different?

My work is grounded in evidence-based strategies, mindfulness and self-compassion and is approached in a calm, steady way that honors your pace and values. I help clients explore anxiety not as something broken to be fixed, but as something meaningful to better understand and grow more confident in navigating. Many clients discover that their anxiety is tied to protective parts of themselves, parts that can adapt with kindness and support. I also provide LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy for clients from the Queer community, which means our work always honors your identity, safety, and lived experience.

7. Will I have to talk about everything right away?

Nope. You are in charge of the pace. Some clients prefer to start with practical skills, while others want to dig into their history. We can start wherever you feel most ready and there’s no pressure to “get it right” but a steadfast engagement with your goals.

8. Do you offer virtual therapy in Oregon?

Yes! I provide online anxiety therapy for Portland and throughout Oregon. Whether you're in the city or a rural area, support is accessible.

9. I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help. How is this different?

Our work will be collaborative and flexible. If something didn’t work in the past, we’ll explore why and adjust accordingly. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter approaches. Therapy should be something that feels supportive, not like another thing to “get right.”

10. Will therapy make my anxiety go away completely?

That’s a great (and common) question. The aim isn’t to erase anxiety (it’s human), it’s to build a healthier relationship with it. Together, we’ll explore how to meet your anxiety with more confidence, curiosity, and care. Over time, anxiety stops running the show, and you gain more choice in how you respond to it.

11. What kinds of anxiety do you work with?

I work with a wide range of anxiety experiences, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, health anxiety, work-related anxiety, and anxiety that shows up in relationships or identity exploration. Whether your anxiety is loud and overwhelming or quiet and persistent, it’s welcome in our work together.

12. How do you know therapy is working?

We’ll check in regularly about your experience in therapy. I invite clients to reflect on what’s shifting; whether that’s a subtle moment of calm, a new insight, or a change in how they respond to stress. We’ll celebrate progress and make adjustments if something isn’t quite clicking.

13. Do you work with LGBTQ+ clients experiencing anxiety?

Yes. As a Queer-affirming therapist, I understand how anxiety can intersect with identity, safety, and belonging. Whether you’re navigating coming out, dealing with internalized messages, or just looking for a therapist who truly gets it (no translating necessary) you’re welcome here. Our work will be tailored to your lived experience, without assumptions or pressure to explain.

14. What if I don’t have a diagnosis? Can I still come to therapy?

Absolutely. You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy. If anxiety is impacting your life (even in subtle ways) that’s reason enough to reach out. Our work can be preventative, supportive, or focused on navigating specific challenges.

15. Do you accept insurance?

Currently, I accept CareOregon (OHP) and self-pay clients. Otherwise, I’m an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. However, I do provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement if that is part of your plan. I’m happy to walk you through how this process works.

16. Do you offer sliding scale rates?

While I don’t currently offer a formal sliding scale, I understand that therapy is a financial investment. If cost is a concern, let’s talk about it. I can also help connect you to additional resources or referrals if needed.

17. What should I do between sessions to help my anxiety?

Between sessions, I often encourage clients to practice small, doable mindfulness or compassion exercises. These might include noticing anxious thoughts without judgment, using grounding tools we’ve discussed. Creativity is welcome and encouraged but not necessary. These practices reinforce the work we do in session and help build new habits over time.

18. Is anxiety therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything we talk about in therapy is confidential, with very few legal exceptions (like immediate harm to yourself or others). Your privacy and safety are central to our work together.

19. What if I don’t like talking about emotions?

That’s okay. You don’t have to be emotionally expressive or introspective to benefit from therapy. We can start with what feels comfortable, whether that’s learning calming strategies, talking through practical concerns, or just getting used to being in a space where you don’t have to hold everything alone.

20. I feel like I should be able to manage this on my own. Does needing therapy mean I’m weak?

Not at all. Seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not failure. Anxiety thrives in silence and shame; therapy creates an opportunity to show up exactly as you are, without needing to “have it all together.” Everyone deserves support, including you.