Does it Feel Like Your Brain Won’t Stop?: See Ways Anxiety Therapy in Portland Actually Helps

Anxiety can feel like carrying the weight of the world in silence. Anxiety therapy in Portland offers support in slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and finding steadiness.

Anxiety therapy in Portland isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong” with you. With the right support it becomes possible to find real relief from the relentless overthinking, self-doubt, and looping worries that weigh you down. As a Portland therapist, I specialize in helping LGBTQ+ adults navigate anxiety, self-criticism, and overwhelm with mindfulness-informed therapy, in person or online across Oregon

None of us are immune to the pull of anxiety.

You’re not weak. You’re not broken.

And if you’re feeling stuck in your own mind, you’re certainly not alone.

If you’re here, maybe it’s because you’ve been carrying the weight of an overactive mind for too long.
You know the cycle all too well: constantly in your head, second-guessing conversations, looping through worries about how you’re perceived, running future scenarios in your head like worst-case-scenario flashcards.

You might catch yourself replaying moments, scanning them for signs you messed up.
Or feeling your body tense (those shoulders get tight, the breath becomes quick and shallow, the stomach is on edge) before you even realize you’re anxious.

Sometimes, it’s all too much.
And yet, you hold it together.
You push through. You smile when you don’t feel like smiling.
You show up…even when your mind won’t stop whispering that you’re not enough.

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know this:
You are not your anxiety.
And you don’t have to face it alone.

When Anxiety Feels Like a Constant Background Noise

Anxiety has a way of blending into the background of life…until it doesn’t.
It hums just below the surface at work, in relationships, even when you’re trying to rest.
And when it spikes? It can feel like a tidal wave of self-doubt, fear, or even shame.

Maybe you’ve wondered “Why does everyone else seem to handle life better?” “I should be able to stop this.”

The truth is, anxiety thrives in a culture that rewards overthinking, glorifies productivity, and shames vulnerability.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, that’s compounded by years of feeling like you had to soften your truth, question your instincts, or hide parts of yourself to belong. I work with LGBTQ+ adults in Portland who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-criticism. Finding affirming therapy where you’re truly seen can be a powerful part of healing.

Therapy isn’t here to fix you.
It’s here to help you unlearn the ways the world has taught you to doubt yourself and to come back home to who you really are.

You’re Allowed to Be Seen Without Pretending

I know how much courage it takes to even consider therapy.
When anxiety tells you to stay small or keep it together, reaching out can feel huge.

But here’s the thing:
Anxiety doesn’t get to run the show forever.

Anxiety therapy in Portland offers support where you don’t have to pretend, perform, or downplay your feelings.
It’s support where you get to slow down, be seen, and begin putting the pieces together of what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Where we explore your relationship with anxiety, not to fight it, but to understand it.
Where you learn that your anxiety isn’t a personal failure… it’s a response shaped by your history, your environment, and your nervous system doing its best to protect you.

And that means it can change.

You Are More Than Your Thoughts

One of the most common things I hear from clients is:
“I wish I could just turn my brain off.”

And honestly?

Most of us know what it’s like to get trapped in loops of worry, worst-case scenarios, or harsh self-criticism.

What we don’t always realize, until we take a closer look, is that our thoughts aren’t the whole story.

We are not our thoughts.

And learning how to hold them with curiosity instead of fear can change everything.

In our work together, you’ll learn to distance yourself from your thoughts.
To observe them, get curious about them, and sometimes, let them pass without acting on them.

It’s not about silencing your mind.
It’s about softening your grip on it.

Therapy Is About Reclaiming Your Relationship with Yourself

When anxiety is running high, it can feel like you’re in a constant fight with your own body and mind.
But healing doesn’t happen by fighting harder.

It happens when you turn toward yourself, gently, patiently, with curiosity.

In anxiety therapy in Portland, we’ll explore what your anxiety is trying to protect.
We’ll slow down enough to notice the parts of you that feel overwhelmed, afraid, or unheard and offer them something they’ve rarely received: compassion.

This isn’t about forcing change.
It’s about creating the conditions where change can happen naturally through presence, connection, and a growing sense of trust in yourself.

You Deserve Support That Honors All of You

You don’t have to navigate this alone.
And you certainly don’t have to settle for quick fixes that miss the heart of your experience.

Whether you’re processing trauma, feeling out of place, carrying fears you’ve never spoken aloud, or just longing for relief from the noise in your mind, you deserve support that meets you with real care.

That’s what I offer in my work as a Portland therapist:
A space where you’re seen.
Where your story matters.
Where you can start believing that maybe… just maybe… you’re not broken after all.

It’s Brave to Reach Out, Even When Anxiety Says Don’t

You don’t have to face anxiety alone. I’m Eric Goodwin, and I offer affirming, mindful support for adults navigating anxiety in Portland and across Oregon.

I know how easy it is for anxiety to convince you to wait.
To stay quiet.
To tell yourself it’s not the right time.

Courage isn’t about fear being gone, it’s about taking steps even when part of us feels afraid.

And sometimes, the courageous thing we can do is reach out for support. Reaching out for support is bold and it’s one of the clearest ways you can show your anxiety that it doesn’t get to decide what your life looks like.

If you’re ready to take the first bold step toward relief, reach out today for anxiety therapy in Portland; offered in-person in PDX or securely online anywhere in Oregon. My approach is mindfulness-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming and I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll talk, no pressure, and see if working together feels right for you.

Because you deserve support that sees the real you and walks with you toward the life you want.

Call (971) 533-5590 or click here to schedule your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy in Portland

1. Is anxiety therapy just coping skills?
No. While coping tools help, the deeper work is about understanding your anxiety’s roots and changing how you relate to yourself.

2. Do you offer online therapy for anxiety in Oregon?
Yes, I offer secure, virtual sessions for clients anywhere in Oregon.

3. Will therapy make my anxiety go away completely?
The goal isn’t to erase anxiety, but to change your relationship with it so you feel more empowered to navigate it.

4. Do you specialize in LGBTQ+ affirming therapy?
Yes. I’m passionate about offering care that’s affirming, inclusive, and sensitive to your lived experience.

5. What kinds of anxiety do you work with?
Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, perfectionism, identity-related anxiety, and anxiety connected to trauma. I’ve shared more about how to start therapy even when it feels overwhelming.

6. What’s the first session like?
It’s a chance to get to know each other, explore what’s bringing you in, and see what support feels right for you.