Panic attacks
Racing heart, tight chest, dizziness and the fear of the next one, which often shrinks your world more than the attacks do.
Anxiety Therapy · Prairieville, Louisiana
Anxiety therapy for a mind that will not stop running.
Anxiety is exhausting because it never clocks out: the replayed conversation, the worst-case scenario, the tight chest, the 3am ceiling stare. It responds well to the right tools, and that's most of what we do here. I'm Melissa Shaw, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 24 years of experience treating anxiety in children, teens and adults.
- Confidential, in person
- Children, teens & adults
- Accepting new clients
Forms anxiety takes
What we treat
Constant worry
Overthinking, catastrophizing, needing reassurance, and a running list of everything that could go wrong.
Social anxiety
Dreading being watched or judged, avoiding calls, rooms and questions, and rehearsing everything in advance.
Anxiety in the body
Stomach aches, headaches, tension, sleep that will not come, and a body stuck in alarm even on a calm day.
Perfectionism & avoidance
Procrastinating because it has to be perfect, then panicking about the deadline you created.
Anxiety in kids & teens
School refusal, stomach aches before class, separation worries, test panic and endless "what if" questions.
How anxiety treatment works
Skills first, then the reason it started
We start with relief: understanding what anxiety is doing in your body, and practicing tools that actually work in the moment, from CBT for the thought spirals to DBT skills for riding out a wave without making it worse.
Then we work on the fuel. Anxiety usually lives on avoidance, so we take on the avoided things in steps you agree to, at a pace that stretches you without flooding you.
We also look at what set it up, whether that's perfectionism, a frightening event, a loss, or being the person everyone else leans on. That's what keeps the relief from wearing off.
I treat anxiety across ages, and it often runs in families, so parents and children can both be seen here.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Family Systems
- Strength-Based
- Christian Counseling (on request)
Practical details
Sessions, fees and location
$160Individual session
$280Couples session
15 minComplimentary consultation
A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available. They are limited, set at specific times, require documentation of income, and often have a waiting list, so please ask at your consultation. I don't bill insurance, and I accept cash or check.
Office hours
- Monday
- 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Thursday
- 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (alternating weeks)
Early-morning and evening times fill up first.
Location
15655 Airline Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769
Serving Prairieville, Gonzales, St. Amant and Baton Rouge, including the Highland Road area. All sessions are held in person, a short drive down Airline Highway.
Questions
People usually ask
How long does anxiety treatment take?
Many people feel some relief within the first few sessions once they have tools, and focused work often runs a few months rather than years.
Do I have to take medication?
That is between you and a medical provider. Many people do well with counseling alone, some do best with both, and I can coordinate with your doctor if you want that.
Do you treat panic attacks?
Yes. Panic responds well to treatment: understanding what is happening physically, learning to ride the wave, and stopping the avoidance that keeps it going.
Can you help my child with anxiety?
Yes. I see children and teens, and I give parents a plan too, since how anxiety is handled at home matters as much as the session.
Do you take insurance?
No. I'm private pay and accept cash or check. Sessions are $160. A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available with documentation of income. They are limited and may have a waiting list.
Contact
Let's talk
Reach out to request a complimentary 15-minute consultation. I'll get back to you as soon as I can, usually within one business day.
To protect your privacy, please don't include detailed health information in this form. We can talk about that on the phone.