Anxiety Therapy in North Riverside, Illinois

Many clients notice relief within 6-8 sessions. Comprehensive treatment typically runs 3-6 months of weekly sessions, though some people benefit from shorter-term work and others prefer ongoing support. Your therapist will set clear goals with you and track progress throughout.

We primarily use CBT, the gold standard for anxiety treatment, combined with PolyVagal Therapy, a body-based approach for understanding nervous system triggers and developing somatic tools for self-regulation. Sessions may also include mindfulness, deep breathing, cognitive reframing, and gradual exposure for social anxiety. When trauma contributes to anxiety, we incorporate EMDR.

Vivian Estrada is an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), and Noel Cordova is an LCPC and CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor). All are licensed mental health professionals with specialized training in anxiety disorders and evidence-based treatment approaches.

Without insurance, sessions typically range from $75 to $200. With in-network coverage, your cost may be as low as a $10 to $50 copay. Shift Counseling is in-network with BCBS PPO, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and Lyra. Call to schedule and we can provide an estimate of your specific benefits before your first appointment.

Yes. Anxiety therapy is effective for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and trauma-related anxiety. If we determine that you need specialized treatment we don't provide, such as intensive exposure and response prevention for OCD or specific phobia treatment, we'll help connect you with a therapist who offers that specific care.

Yes. We offer both in-person sessions at our North Riverside office and virtual therapy throughout Illinois, including Broadview, Westchester, Brookfield, La Grange Park, Berwyn, Forest Park, and Chicago. Many clients find virtual anxiety therapy just as effective and more convenient.

Skepticism is common and doesn't mean therapy won't help. If it hasn't worked before, the approach, the therapist, or the timing may not have been right. Those things matter. A free consultation is a low-risk way to find out.

Keep it simple and honest. Let them know they're going to talk to someone who helps people work through anxiety, that nothing they say will get them in trouble, and that the therapist isn't there to fix them or report back to you on everything. If they're nervous, that's normal and worth saying out loud. The first session is mostly just getting to know each other. They won't be pushed to talk about anything they're not ready for.

Yes. What you share in therapy is confidential. Limited exceptions apply, such as immediate safety concerns or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Your therapist will explain those limits during your first session.

Managing anxiety alone often means relying on avoidance, which reduces anxiety temporarily but reinforces it over time. Anxiety therapy addresses both the thoughts and the physical sensations driving your symptoms. You'll learn skills that actually work, practice them with guidance, and build confidence through the process rather than around it.

A friend listens. A therapist helps you identify patterns you can't see from the inside, teaches you specific skills, and guides a structured process with real goals. Friendship is valuable. Therapy is different.

Therapy and medication work well together. Keep taking any prescribed medication and let your therapist know. We can coordinate with your prescribing doctor as part of your overall care.

We see clients by appointment only. Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Missed sessions without 24-hour notice are subject to a $50 fee.