Anxiety Treatment in Boston, MA
Arcara Psychiatry offers personalized anxiety treatment led by experienced psychiatric nurse practitioners who take time to understand you.
Anxiety can disrupt sleep, focus, and daily routines. At Arcara Psychiatry, an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner clarifies your diagnosis and builds a practical plan you can follow. We offer in-person visits in Boston and Westborough, plus telehealth across Massachusetts when appropriate.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety can show up in the body, mind, and daily habits. Some symptoms are subtle. Others feel intense.
Physical symptoms
- Chest pounding
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Shaking or tremors
- Headaches
- Stomach discomfort
- Weakness or fatigue
Cognitive symptoms
- Racing thoughts
- Catastrophizing
- Trouble concentrating
- Persistent worry
Behavioral symptoms
- Avoidance
- Reassurance-seeking
- Safety behaviors that shrink daily life
Sleep symptoms
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking often
- Morning dread
Safety note: Get urgent medical care if symptoms are new, sudden, or severe. Call 911 or go to the ER for chest pain, fainting, or trouble breathing.
Common Causes and Triggers
Anxiety often has more than one cause. A clinician can help sort out what is driving symptoms. Some of the most common causes and triggers include:
- Family history or genetic vulnerability
- Work, relationship, or health stress
- Trauma or ongoing high stress
- Sleep disruption
- Alcohol use
- Caffeine or stimulants
- Certain medications
- Medical issues like thyroid problems or anemia
Types of Anxiety
Some people fit one anxiety diagnosis, while others may experience overlapping types.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Worry most days, for months.
- Panic Disorder: Sudden fear surges with strong body symptoms.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of scrutiny in social or work settings.
- Specific Phobias: Intense fear of a situation or object.
- OCD: Intrusive thoughts with repeated behaviors to reduce distress.
- PTSD: Trauma-related re-experiencing, hyperarousal, and avoidance.
For example, a person with panic disorder may avoid driving after a panic episode on the highway. Over time, avoidance spreads. The person stops taking bridges, then stops driving at all. Treatment focuses on skills and gradual steps back into driving.
Diagnosis and Assessment
A clear diagnosis guides effective care. Your clinician will review your symptoms, how long they have lasted, and how they affect daily life. You will also review medical history, current medications, and common contributors that can mimic or worsen anxiety.
Outpatient Anxiety Treatment
Boston, Westborough, and Telehealth
Clinician-Led Psychotherapy and Skills Training
We use structured approaches that help reduce avoidance and improve daily function. CBT and exposure-based planning are common options, depending on your symptoms and goals. If you want weekly long-term therapy, we can coordinate referrals to trusted community therapists.
Medication Management
Medication can be part of care when symptoms are moderate to severe, or when anxiety blocks progress. Your clinician will review benefits, expected timelines, and side effects, then monitor response over follow-ups. Medication works best alongside skills practice.
Coping Skills and Grounding Techniques
You will learn practical tools you can use in real time, especially during panic or spikes in worry. Common tools include 4-4-6 breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, and brief muscle release.
Lifestyle Foundations That Help
Lifestyle support focuses on a few basics that often reduce baseline anxiety. This can include sleep consistency, reviewing caffeine and alcohol if symptoms worsen, and light movement most days.
Related and Overlapping Conditions
Low mood, loss of interest, low energy
ADHD:
Restlessness, focus, and organization problems
GI Conditions and Migraines:
Symptoms that flare with anxiety
Substance Use:
Alcohol or cannabis patterns that worsen anxiety
What to Expect
Most plans move in stages, with steady check-ins.
- The first 30 days focus on evaluation, early skills, and deciding whether medication fits.
- Days 31 to 60 focus on reducing avoidance, refining exposures, and adjusting medication as needed.
- Days 61 to 90 focus on strengthening and consolidating gains and setting a longer-term plan.
Specific Anxiety Concerns We Treat
We treat common anxiety patterns, including driving anxiety, health anxiety, anticipatory anxiety, and panic symptoms. Care focuses on skills you can practice and steps that rebuild confidence.
Who You’ll See
You will meet with a psychiatric nurse practitioner with anxiety-care experience. Arcara Psychiatry is known for longer visits that allow time to understand your needs and adjust treatment carefully.
“Anxiety can feel loud, but it responds well to a clear plan. We take time to understand your symptoms, then focus on practical steps that support daily functioning.”
– Kimberley Arcara, PMHNP-BC, Owner, Arcara Psychiatry
Kimberley Arcara
PMHNP-BC, MSN
Kimberley’s a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience. She started Arcara because she believes in compassionate, patient-centered care.
Trained at UMASS Memorial, Kimberley has extensive experience in treating mood disorders, ADHD, and more. Today, she continues to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to find balance, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.
Alina Birch
PMHNP-BC, MSN
Alina brings skill and compassion to her work as a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. A Massachusetts native, she earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, followed by her BSN and MSN in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric mental health.
Alina has worked across inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings, treating eating disorders, addiction, depression, and anxiety. She specializes in care for teens and young adults, taking a collaborative approach that builds trust.
Tasia Henderson
DNP, PMHNP-Bc
Dr. Tasia’s 10+ years of experience involve helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, treating conditions like ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and addiction. She also incorporates alternative and holistic medicine therapies when appropriate.
Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Tasia has mentored and taught future healthcare professionals at universities across the country. Her comprehensive approach focuses on helping people recognize their strengths while working toward lasting health.
Locations and Telehealth
Boston: 53 State St, Suite 500
Westborough: 8 Lyman St
Telehealth: adults in Massachusetts (where clinically appropriate).
Insurance and Payment
We’ll confirm coverage, costs, and payment options before your first visit. Ask us about current in-network plans and telehealth eligibility.
Request an Appointment
We have offices in Westborough and Boston. Fill out our online intake form or call us directly.
Contact Form
FAQs
What is the 3-3-3 anxiety rule?
The 3-3-3 rule is a grounding skill or coping mechanism. Name 3 things you see, name 3 things you hear, and move 3 body parts. The goal is to shift attention back to the present when anxiety spikes.
What are the best ways to treat anxiety?
Most people improve with a mix of skills-based therapy and consistent practice. Medication can help when symptoms are moderate to severe or hard to manage.
How can I calm an anxiety attack?
Try slow nasal breathing: inhale for 4, hold for 4, and exhale for 6 for a few minutes. Add 5-4-3-2-1 grounding by naming what you can sense around you. If symptoms feel new or severe, seek urgent medical care.
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety can feel like chest pounding, shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, or stomach upset. It can also include racing thoughts, restlessness, and trouble sleeping.
How can you know if you have anxiety?
A clinician diagnoses anxiety by reviewing symptoms, how long they last, and how they affect daily life. They also check for medical causes and substance or medication effects.
How can I reduce anxiety?
Start with steady sleep, cut back on caffeine or alcohol if symptoms worsen, and add light movement most days. Practice one skill daily, like 4-4-6 breathing or grounding.
Can anxiety cause dizziness?
Yes. Anxiety can cause dizziness, especially during panic or rapid breathing. Slow your breathing and ground yourself until symptoms pass. If dizziness is new, severe, or unusual for you, get medical care to rule out other causes.
Can anxiety be prevented?
You cannot prevent every episode, but you can lower the chance of symptoms building up. Consistent sleep, stress routines, and early support help. Therapy can also reduce relapse by lowering avoidance and strengthening coping skills.
Disclaimer: Client reviews may be paraphrased for clarity and brevity.