How We Treat Anxiety at TAC (And Why it Works)

You’ve tried to “calm down.”

You’ve told yourself it’s not a big deal.

But your body still jolts awake at 3 a.m., heart pounding, mind racing through everything that could go wrong.

If anxiety feels like it’s quietly running the show, dictating your decisions, draining your energy, and shrinking your life, you’re not alone.

At The Anxiety Center, we help hundreds of people understand why anxiety lingers and what actually helps it get better.

In this guide, you’ll learn what real, research-backed treatment looks like and why it’s different than just “coping.”

Why Anxiety Doesn’t Just Go Away and What Finally Helps

Anxiety treatment isn’t just about tips or tricks.

It's about rewiring your brain’s relationship to fear.

Structured, therapist-guided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is more than twice as effective as self-help methods for lasting recovery.

At TAC, we combine gold-standard methods like CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with personalized strategies that match your specific symptoms and goals.

“Anxiety is clever. It convinces people they’re the problem, not the pattern. Part of our work is helping clients see it’s not a character flaw. It’s something we can work through, together.” — Ali Rentschler, LSW, TAC Cincinnati Office, Associate Clinician

🚪 The Hidden Trap of Coping on Your Own

Short-term fixes like avoiding triggers or seeking constant reassurance might feel good in the moment, but they actually teach your brain that anxiety is dangerous.

“Avoidance brings short-term relief. But it keeps anxiety in charge. Exposure helps you take your life back.” — Lisa Willis, LSW, TAC Indianapolis Office, Associate Clinician

Without guided intervention, anxiety often sticks around or worsens.

That’s why professional support is key to breaking the cycle.

🛠️ Real Tools for Real Relief: How We Actually Treat Anxiety

We use an integrated, science-backed model that includes:

• CBT to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors

• DBT for emotional regulation and distress tolerance

• ERP to help you face fears gradually and safely

• Medication management for more severe or persistent symptoms

• IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) for when weekly therapy isn’t enough

Whether you're navigating intense panic attacks in downtown Cincinnati, helping your teen manage school refusal in Dayton, or working through health anxiety from your home in Indianapolis, our clinicians tailor treatment to your life. We work with what matters most to you.

“When clients first hear 'exposure therapy,' they're often scared. I always tell them, 'We’ll never throw you into the deep end. We’ll start with one toe in the water and go at your pace.’" — Sarah Snow, MSW, LSW, TAC Dayton Office, Clinician

🌱 What Healing Really Looks Like, Beyond Just “Feeling Better”

Progress doesn’t always mean “no more anxiety.”

It means living more freely despite it.

One patient went from avoiding public spaces to confidently eating at a busy food court.

Another crossed a bridge they’d feared for years. That moment became their first real step toward a lifelong dream of flying.

These aren’t just wins in therapy.

They’re wins in life.

🚀 Starting Anxiety Therapy at TAC: What Happens First (And Why It’s So Simple)

👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started

We start with something simple:

Listening.

No pressure to retell every detail.

No expectations of where you “should” be.

Just a safe space to say,

“I’m struggling. And I need help.”

You’re not alone.

And you’re not failing.

You’re already doing the most important thing: seeking support.

Let us walk with you the rest of the way.

👉 Fill out our 30-second form to get started

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult a licensed professional.