Anxiety Therapy in Thunder Bay: Make Room for Life Beyond Worry.
Does your mind keep going long after the day has ended? Maybe you replay conversations, imagine everything that could go wrong, or feel uneasy even when there is nothing obvious to worry about.
At BelMind Therapeia, we offer anxiety therapy in Thunder Bay and online across Ontario. You don’t need to know exactly why you’re anxious or have the right words to describe it. We can begin with what you’re experiencing right now.
A free 15 minute conversation to explore getting started.
When anxiety starts taking up too much space.
You might be the person everyone relies on. You go to work, look after your family, and keep up with responsibilities. From the outside, things may appear fine. Inside, you’re exhausted from thinking, anticipating, and trying to keep everything under control.
Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty, pressure, and perceived danger. Sometimes it helps us prepare for important situations. But when worry becomes constant, it can begin influencing how we spend our time and make decisions.
You might turn down invitations because social situations feel overwhelming. You may spend hours researching a decision, seeking reassurance, checking things repeatedly, or putting something off because you’re afraid of making a mistake.
Sometimes anxiety is connected to a particular experience. Other times, it seems to attach itself to everything: work, relationships, health, finances, or the future.
Anxiety can also show up in your body: a racing heart, restless sleep, tense muscles, or a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right.
We won’t assume that every worry is irrational or that your circumstances are easy. Therapy begins by understanding what you’re dealing with, including the pressures and uncertainties that may be very real.
How can therapy help with anxiety?
Anxiety therapy is not about telling you to stop worrying or convincing you that everything will be fine. It’s about understanding what happens when anxiety takes over and developing different ways to respond.
Together, we might explore the situations that trigger anxiety, the thoughts that follow, what happens in your body, and the things you do to find relief.
For example, avoiding a difficult conversation might bring immediate relief, but it may also make the next conversation feel even harder. Therapy can help you notice patterns like this and experiment with changes at a manageable pace.
Understanding anxious thoughts
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps us examine how thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions influence each other.
You may learn to recognize when your mind is treating a possibility as a certainty or assuming that you won’t be able to cope.
Making room for uncertainty
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help you respond differently to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.
Rather than waiting until anxiety disappears before doing something important, we explore ways to move toward what matters to you while making room for discomfort.
Building confidence through experience
When avoidance is keeping anxiety going, your therapist may suggest carefully planned, gradual steps toward situations you’ve been avoiding.
You will discuss the purpose of these exercises together, including what feels appropriate for your circumstances.
What happens when you come to therapy?
Your first appointment is a chance for us to understand you. We may ask when anxiety became difficult, how it affects your daily life, what you’ve already tried, and what you would like to be different.
You don’t need to arrive with a complete history or a list of treatment goals. If all you can say is, “I’m tired of feeling this way,” that’s a place we can start.
Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits, answer your questions, and work with you to develop an approach that makes sense for your situation.
Understanding patterns.
Some sessions focus on understanding what happens when anxiety takes over.
Practising new skills.
Other sessions may involve practising new skills or reviewing experiences between appointments.
Reviewing your progress.
We’ll check in about how therapy is going and adjust the work when needed. You can ask questions or discuss a different direction at any point.
Who can you work with?
At BelMind Therapeia, Vimal Thomas, MSW, RSW, Miguelle Ouellet, MSW, RSW, and Kristina Marshall, Registered Psychotherapist, offer support for people experiencing anxiety.
Each therapist brings a different perspective and approach. We encourage you to explore their profiles and book a free consultation with one or more therapists to find someone you feel comfortable working with.
What if you didn’t have to wait until you felt completely ready?
“I can feel anxious about something and still decide whether it matters enough for me to take a small step.”
This captures one possibility we may explore in therapy: learning that anxiety doesn’t always have to make the decision for you.
The goal isn’t to become a person who never worries. It’s to develop a different relationship with anxiety so that it has less control over your choices.
A calm place to begin.
For many people, reaching out for therapy already takes courage. It helps when the space itself feels warm, comfortable, and steady.
At BelMind Therapeia, our Thunder Bay clinic is designed to feel grounded and welcoming. If you choose in-person therapy, we want you to feel at ease from the moment you arrive.
Anxiety counselling in Thunder Bay and across Ontario.
Between shift work, family responsibilities, long winters, and the demands of everyday life, finding time for therapy can be difficult.
BelMind Therapeia offers in person appointments at our Thunder Bay clinic. We also offer online anxiety therapy across Ontario, including for people living in communities where accessing in person services may involve significant travel.
Eligible First Nations and Inuit clients may be able to access mental health counselling through NIHB. We offer direct billing for eligible services, subject to program requirements.
Learn about NIHB counsellingQuestions about anxiety therapy?
If you’re considering therapy for the first time, it’s natural to have questions. Here are a few things you might be wondering.
Do I need an anxiety diagnosis before starting therapy?
No. You can seek support because worry, fear, or physical tension is affecting your life, even if you have never received a diagnosis. We can explore your concerns and discuss whether additional assessment or another service would be helpful.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Anxiety can be associated with symptoms such as a racing heart, trembling, stomach discomfort, or muscle tension. However, physical symptoms can have other causes, so new, severe, or unexplained symptoms deserve appropriate medical assessment. Therapy can help you explore how anxiety and physical sensations affect each other.
Will I have to face situations that frighten me?
Some forms of anxiety therapy involve gradually approaching situations you’ve been avoiding. This is planned collaboratively, and your therapist will explain why it may be helpful. You can discuss concerns and decide together what is appropriate.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number that suits everyone. The frequency and duration of therapy depend on your concerns, goals, preferences, and response to treatment. We’ll review your progress together rather than assuming you need an indefinite number of appointments.
Is online anxiety therapy available outside Thunder Bay?
Yes. BelMind Therapeia provides virtual psychotherapy across Ontario. This can be useful if you live outside Thunder Bay, have a demanding schedule, or prefer attending from a private space at home. You can discuss whether virtual appointments suit your needs during your consultation.
What if my anxiety is affecting my relationship?
Anxiety can influence how we communicate, handle disagreements, and respond to uncertainty in relationships. Kristina Marshall, Registered Psychotherapist, works with relationship related anxiety and offers Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. You can discuss whether individual or couples therapy would better address your concerns. Learn about couples therapy at BelMind.
Is anxiety therapy covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans provide coverage for psychotherapy delivered by Registered Social Workers or Registered Psychotherapists, although benefits vary between policies. BelMind offers direct billing for eligible plans where available. We recommend confirming your coverage with your insurer before your appointment.
Ready to talk about what you’ve been experiencing?
You don’t have to wait until anxiety becomes unbearable to ask for support. Whether you’ve been struggling for years or have only recently noticed things becoming more difficult, you’re welcome to reach out.
We offer a free 15 minute introduction call. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, briefly explain what you’re looking for, and get to know a therapist before deciding whether to book a full session.
Suite 405, 101 North Syndicate Avenue
In person appointments · Virtual care across Ontario