Vivian Steele, Registered Psychologist
Office Location:
The Post
#260-704 4th Ave S
Lethbridge AB T1J0N8
(in the offices of Venn Wealth)
Phone: (780) 951-0998
Do you find yourself running from morning to night trying to calm your worries?
Do concerns from your day or fears about the future keep you awake at night?
Is it hard to relax—even on vacation? Do you feel constantly stressed or experience panic attacks?
Anxiety is a natural and adaptive strategy for survival—it helps us detect danger and respond to threats. But when anxiety becomes persistent, excessive, or disconnected from real risk, it can turn maladaptive, interfering with your ability to live fully and comfortably.
Understanding Anxiety
Everyone experiences fear and nervousness. But when anxiety begins to take over your life or prevents you from doing the things you value, it may be time to seek help.
There are several types of anxiety:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social Anxiety
- Health Anxiety
What they all share is the way anxiety disrupts daily functioning.
General Anxiety & Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Many people describe this type of anxiety as a constant sense of worry, tension, or “mental noise” that’s difficult to turn off. You might find yourself:
- Worrying about many areas of life at once
- Feeling restless or “on edge”
- Struggling with concentration
- Carrying tension in your body
- Having trouble relaxing or sleeping
People with GAD often tell me they feel like their mind is always scanning for what could go wrong. Together, we work on calming the nervous system, challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, and building skills that bring more steadiness, clarity, and peace back into daily life.
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD isn’t about being “neat” or “particular.” It’s a cycle of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) intended to reduce anxiety. You might notice:
- Repetitive checking or reassurance-seeking
- Intrusive thoughts that feel alarming or distressing
- A need for things to be “just right”
- Mental rituals such as repeating, reviewing, or neutralizing thoughts
OCD can feel exhausting and isolating, but with the right approach—often including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), cognitive strategies, and nervous-system regulation—real improvement is possible.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is more than shyness. It often includes fear of being judged, embarrassed, or “not good enough” in social or performance situations. You may experience:
- Worry before or after social interactions
- Physical symptoms like blushing, shaking, or a racing heart
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that feel overwhelming
- Constant self-criticism or self-monitoring
My work with social anxiety focuses on building confidence, strengthening self-compassion, understanding triggers, and gently re-engaging with situations that matter to you – at a pace that feels safe and respectful.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety often appears as persistent fear or worry about symptoms, illnesses, or physical sensations. You might find yourself:
- Frequently checking your body or symptoms
- Seeking reassurance from doctors, Google, or loved ones
- Feeling “stuck in your head” about the possibility of something being wrong
- Avoiding medical care out of fear of what might be found
Together, we work on reducing fear, understanding how the brain misinterprets physical sensations, and building confidence in your ability to manage uncertainty.
Every person’s experience is unique. We’ll explore what’s driving your anxiety, what’s keeping it going, and what tools will support real, sustainable change.