Anxiety Therapy & Support for Overwhelm in Florida
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stretched thin, you’re not alone. I work with many adults who feel like they’re holding a lot together on the outside while feeling worn down on the inside.
I’m Joseph Brooks. I offer anxiety therapy and stress support in Gainesville and through secure telehealth across Florida. My approach is calm, steady, and supportive, with a focus on helping your system feel safer and more manageable over time.
You’re welcome to explore this page at your own pace and see if this kind of support feels like a fit.
Take a Moment
Before we go any further, you’re welcome to slow down for just a few seconds.
Let your shoulders drop.
Soften your stomach.
Notice one thing around you that feels steady.
You don’t need to push anything away.
You’re simply arriving.
If you are feeling overwhelmed you can come back to this simple grounding at any point.
I often invite people to return to something this simple whenever things start to feel like too much.
Why Things Have Been Feeling So Overwhelming
In my work, I see how much life has changed in ways our minds and bodies weren’t designed for. Many people are being asked to move faster, respond quicker, and carry more information than ever before.
Even on “normal” days, people often tell me they’re carrying:
fewer natural pauses or moments of quiet
more decisions and constant mental switching
a world that feels more uncertain or threatening
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, you’re not alone — the world has changed faster than our nervous systems have.
Who I Often Work With
People I work with often describe experiences like these:
“I look fine on the outside, but I’m tired of holding it together.”
“My mind feels busy, even when nothing is happening.”
“I’m stretched thin and not sure how to slow down.”
If any of this resonates, it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong.” It just means you’ve been carrying a lot.
Who You Will Be Working With:
I’ve worked with many adults across Florida who felt overwhelmed by stress and wanting a calm, nonjudgmental space to think things through.
Sessions are low pressure, collaborative, and focused on realistic goals, not perfection.
Joseph Brooks, MA, RMHCI
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (IMH28583)
Supervised by Jorelle Degen, LMHC (MH14882)
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
How Anxiety Therapy Can Help
In therapy, I work with you to understand what’s been fueling your anxiety and overwhelm, and we explore support at a pace that feels manageable rather than rushed.
In our sessions, you can expect:
steady, grounding conversations about what’s been hardest
practical tools that work with your brain, not against it.
support around tech stress or ADHD-related tendencies, if they’re part of your experience
a rhythm that feels safe and sustainable, without rushing
I offer anxiety therapy in Gainesville and anxiety counseling across Florida via secure telehealth.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Part of my role is helping you make sense of what’s going on, together.
How I help: Understanding Your Window of Tolerance
One framework I often use in anxiety therapy is the window of tolerance. It helps make sense of why your internal states can feel unpredictable or hard to navigate.
Many people move between three natural states throughout the day:
A heightened zone — when everything feels fast, urgent, or overwhelming
A steadier window — when things feel more manageable
A lowered zone — when things feel foggy, numb, or distant
You might notice you’re leaving your steadier window when you feel restless, pressured, or unable to slow down
For many people, anxiety can make it harder to shift back into that steadier window, even when they want to.
What we focus on: Expanding Your Window Over Time
Your window of tolerance isn’t fixed.
It can shift, soften, and open over time, especially when you begin noticing your patterns with more compassion instead of pressure.
My goal in therapy is to support this slow, steady expansion of your window — helping you find what feels grounding, what creates safety in your system, and what allows a bit more ease over time.
Many people describe changes such as:
being able to handle more stress then they used to
recovering more quickly after something stressful
fewer sharp swings between activation and shutdown
These shifts often happen gradually and naturally, sometimes without you realizing it at first.
What to Expect in the First Session
I try to make the first session feel calm, clear, and grounded, especially if starting therapy feels a little daunting.
Here’s what it usually looks like:
Gently exploring what’s been going on
We talk about the stressors or moments that have been weighing on you, at whatever pace feels right.Noticing what you want from support
Together, we explore what would feel helpful and name a few areas you might want to focus on.Finding a rhythm that fits your life
We begin shaping a plan that feels realistic and accessible.
Some people share that simply having space to talk openly in the first session feels different from what they’re used to.
Others take a little time to settle in. Either way, you can move at the pace that feels right for you.
A Gentle Invitation to Begin Anxiety Therapy Near You
Reaching out for anxiety therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed.
No pressure. Just a chance to talk through what you’ve been carrying.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and $80 per session. You will not be charged until your session, and you can cancel or reschedule as needed.
Quick FAQs About Anxiety Counseling
What if I’m not sure this “counts” enough to reach out?
It’s common to wonder that. You don’t need a crisis or a clear label for your experience. You’re allowed to ask for support early.
What if I can’t describe what I’m feeling very well?
That’s completely okay. Many people start therapy feeling unsure, tangled, or not fully able to put things into words.
Is it okay if I’m looking for short-term clarity rather than long-term therapy?
Absolutely. Some people come in for a handful of sessions to get grounded direction. Others prefer ongoing support. You can choose the length that feels right for you.
I am looking for anxiety therapy near me but I am not in Gainesville, can you still help?
Yes, I can see people anywhere in Florida confidentially. Many people talk to me on there phone in a parked car, from work, or other private places.