Behavioral Health Direct
Driving Anxiety Therapy
helping you overcome driving anxiety
Accepting new patients now in our Baltimore office and online in Maryland and Florida for Driving Anxiety Therapy.
In Person and Online Driving Anxiety Therapy
Counseling for Anxiety, Worry, and Stress
stop driving anxiety from ruining your life
Driving anxiety is a very common fear that can have serious impacts on one’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help overcome your driving anxiety and get back on the road. Learn how to stop driving anxiety from ruining your life with driving anxiety therapy today. Behavioral Health Direct provides advanced cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy for driving anxiety. In this article we’ll provide an overview of driving anxiety and discuss strategies that can help with reducing driving anxiety.
What is driving anxiety?
Driving anxiety is a fear of driving that can cause extreme physical and emotional responses to the thought or action of getting behind the wheel and can have serious consequences on your life. These my include feelings of unease and panic attacks before and during driving, physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulty breathing, and avoidant behaviors. Some individuals with driving anxiety may avoid driving altogether while others will only drive in certain conditions and won’t drive over bridges, on the highway, on unfamiliar roads, in bad weather, or where there are traffic lights.
Driving anxiety can make it difficult to get around and engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities, such as going shopping or visiting family and friends, and can can lead to job loss or inability to find employment because you are unable to drive for work purposes. Additionally, driving anxiety can cause difficulty in relationships and decrease your independence which can lead to further feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Same day delivery, uber, and remote work have made it more possible to avoid driving. Unfortunately, avoiding situations that trigger anxiety have the opposite affect, increasing and maintaining feelings of anxiety.
Is driving anxiety normal?
It’s important to remember that anxiety is a very common feeling, part of the human experience, and it doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying your life. Everyone experiences anxiety in different ways and at different levels, and feeling some degree of anxiety around driving is common and doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. However, if your driving anxiety becomes so intense that you are unable to drive or even think about driving, it is important to seek help.
Where does driving anxiety come from?
It isn’t always clear where anxiety comes from. There are many possible causes of driving anxiety. It could be due to a past traumatic experience while driving, such as an accident or feeling unsafe in traffic. It can also be caused by a fear of losing control or making a mistake, feeling anxious about being judged by other drivers, and worrying about the safety of yourself and others. Additionally, if you have a fear of open spaces, closed spaces, or being out in the world, getting behind the wheel can be overwhelming. Often there is no clear source for an individuals anxiety response and that’s ok too. It isn’t really necessary to know the origin in order to reduce one’s anxiety.
Can driving anxiety be overcome?
It is completely possible to overcome driving anxiety and lead a normal life. The most effective way to do this is through a combination of techniques including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and exposure therapy. There is no one size fits all and it can be very helpful to have an experienced therapist guide you through this process.
CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing your thinking patterns and behavioral responses to situations. It can be very helpful in evaluating the thoughts and beliefs about driving and your own emotional response that are contributing to anxiety.
Mindfulness can also be beneficial introducing flexibility to the way you engage with your deepest thoughts and feelings. This can help you disengage and learn to take your worries less seriously, reducing the impact they have on your life and happiness, and reducing stress.
Exposure therapy sounds scary but it doesn’t have to be. It involves reducing avoidant behavior and gradually exposing yourself to the situations that you fear. You may learn that you feel less anxious than you imagine. Or you might still feel anxious but learn that you’re much more capable of managing your anxiety than you believed.
When does driving anxiety go away?
The answer to this question will be different for everyone. It can take weeks or months of practice, depending on the individual and their severity of anxiety. The most important thing is to not give up and keep working at it – even small steps can have a big impact over time.
Remember that you are not alone in your struggle with driving anxiety and that there is help available to you. With dedication and the right tools, it’s possible to conquer your fear and regain your independence.
Conclusion
Just because you experience driving anxiety doesn’t mean that your life has to be limited or that you can’t drive ever again. Driving anxiety doesn’t have to ruin your life. By combining these approaches and working with a therapist, you may find that your driving anxiety reduces and eventually fades away. With the right tools and support, it is possible to conquer your fear and regain your freedom. It is important to remember that it takes time and patience, but it can be done! Don’t let anxiety win – take steps today to work towards overcoming it.
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for driving anxiety
CBT targets driving anxiety by empowering and educating individuals to make impactful changes to beliefs and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
exposure therapy (ERP) for driving anxiety
Exposure therapy helps reduce anxiety symptoms by confronting triggering situations and learning how to manage your emotional response differently.
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Learn how to overcome driving anxiety and increase your confidence with driving.
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Location and Service Area
I provide driving anxiety therapy in person and online.
My office is located at 4820 Seton Drive Ste. F, Baltimore Maryland, 21215 and is near Pikesville, Owings Mills, Towson, and other areas in Baltimore County. I offer therapy throughout the state of Maryland and have worked with clients in Howard County, Montgomery County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, and Prince Georgia’s County among others. Clients who live further from my office, in cities closer to DC like Potomac, Silver Spring, and Bethesda, may want to consider scheduling telehealth appointment for some or all sessions.
In addition to Maryland, I hold a telehealth license in the state of Florida and offer remote telehealth therapy appointments to Florida residents. I have provided therapy to individuals in major Florida cities including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.
Fees and Insurance
While I am out of network and cannot directly bill your insurance, I aim to give you the best value for your money with effective, personalized, and compassionate treatment, helping you meet your goals as quickly as possible.
Many of my clients receive reimbursement from their insurance provider; I encourage you to explore your out of network coverage. My current rates are $275 for the initial appointment and $215 for ongoing sessions. I am happy to discuss further and provide additional details. Please contact me for more information.