Life in Glen Burnie often feels busy, from commuting along Ritchie Highway to keeping up with family and work responsibilities. For many residents, that pace is paired with rising stress and worry. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in Anne Arundel County, and it affects children, teens, and adults alike.¹ If you have wondered whether talking with a therapist could help, you are not alone.
At Columbia Mental Health, we meet people every day who are searching for tools to calm their minds and improve daily life. Understanding how therapy works and what it can offer may make the decision to reach out feel easier.
The need for mental health support in Glen Burnie
Anne Arundel County’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment highlights anxiety and depression as two of the highest-volume mental health problems in the area.¹ Emergency departments saw more than 11,000 visits for behavioral health conditions in one year, with anxiety disorders making up nearly 13 percent of those encounters.¹
At the same time, residents in neighborhoods like Glen Burnie often face longer waits for therapy because of a countywide shortage of mental health providers. The ratio stands at about one therapist for every 490 residents, which is lower than the state average.¹ These numbers show what many people already know: finding timely care can be challenging, and making that first call matters.
Why therapy matters for managing anxiety
Anxiety is more than occasional worry. It can disrupt sleep, concentration, and relationships, making everyday life harder than it needs to be. A therapist provides a safe place to talk about what you are experiencing and to practice strategies for managing anxiety.
Therapy can help you:
- Understand the root causes of your worry
- Learn relaxation techniques and grounding skills
- Reframe unhelpful thought patterns
- Develop healthier routines for sleep and stress management
- Build confidence in handling triggers
These skills not only ease symptoms in the moment but also create lasting changes that improve quality of life.
Approaches you may encounter in counseling
At Columbia Mental Health, therapists use a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each person’s needs. For anxiety management, this may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps identify negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Builds skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept difficult emotions while still pursuing meaningful goals.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Explores past experiences that may shape current anxiety patterns.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): Strengthens communication and relationships, which can reduce anxiety in social situations.
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT): Combines mindfulness activities with cognitive strategies to reduce stress and promote calm.
Each of these approaches supports anxiety management by offering practical tools for coping and long-term resilience.
Local strategies for managing anxiety
Therapy is one part of the picture. Many Glen Burnie residents also find relief in pairing counseling with simple local routines:
- Taking a walk on the B&A Trail to clear the mind
- Spending time at Sawmill Creek Park for quiet reflection
- Practicing mindfulness at home with deep breathing or body scan exercises
- Connecting with supportive community groups through local schools, churches, or the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency
These small, repeatable practices help reinforce what you learn in therapy and make anxiety management feel more sustainable.
Barriers and how to move past them
Even with high demand for mental health services, many people hesitate to reach out. Some worry their symptoms are not serious enough, while others feel unsure about what therapy will involve. The truth is, you do not need to be in crisis to deserve support. Therapy can be short-term and focused on coping skills, or longer-term for deeper exploration.
If cost or wait times are a concern, ask about telehealth. Virtual appointments have expanded across Anne Arundel County, making it easier to connect with a provider while reducing no-shows and travel barriers.
Taking the first step in Glen Burnie
Anxiety is common, but it does not have to control your life. Therapy can provide the tools you need to reduce symptoms, manage stress, and feel more grounded day to day. In Glen Burnie, resources are available, from local parks that support mindfulness to therapists trained in proven approaches for healing from anxiety.
Columbia Mental Health is here to help. Our team offers therapy designed to meet you where you are and guide you toward healthier patterns. If you are ready to take a step toward relief, give us a call today.
For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.
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