OCD & Anxiety Specialist
Online Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Colorado
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure-Based Treatment for Chronic Worry | Serving Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Beyond.
If you’re living with constant worry, tension, and a mind that won’t slow down no matter how much you try, you may be dealing with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GAD can make life feel exhausting.
Hi, I’m Josh Kaplan, a Colorado-based anxiety therapist with over a decade of experience specializing in CBT and Exposure Therapy. Treatment is customized to your needs, whether you’re looking for weekly sessions or a more intensive outpatient program. My approach is structured, effective, and designed to help you or your loved one make real, lasting progress.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation.
I deeply respect my clients as some of the bravest people I’ve ever met, and my commitment is to use proven therapies, with care and compassion, to help you find the lasting relief and freedom from OCD you deserve. - Josh Kaplan, LCSW
What Generalized Anxiety Disorder Really Feels Like
Living with GAD means your mind rarely shuts off. You may constantly feel tense or on edge. You might replay conversations, imagine what could go wrong, or mentally prepare for every scenario just in case. Even simple decisions can feel overwhelming because you can’t tolerate the idea of making the “wrong” choice.
GAD often looks like:
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Persistent worrying about everyday situations
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Feeling keyed up, restless, or unable to relax
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Trouble concentrating or staying present
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Difficulty sleeping
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Muscle tension, fatigue, and irritability
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Overthinking, ruminating, and constantly analyzing
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Avoiding situations that might cause stress or uncertainty
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Reassurance seeking from others
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Feeling overwhelmed by decision making
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Difficulty letting things go
None of this is a character flaw or a personality issue. It is a treatable anxiety disorder with proven, effective treatment options.
Why GAD Doesn't Improve on its Own
Generalized anxiety sticks around because of the habits it creates. The more you worry, avoid, plan, check, or analyze, the more your brain learns that anxiety is a signal that needs immediate attention. This reinforces the cycle.
Short-term relief from these behaviors is powerful, but it also teaches your brain that worry and avoidance are necessary for safety. Over time, this makes anxiety stronger.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ERP help reverse this cycle.
How CBT and ERP Treat Chronic Worry
CBT helps you understand the patterns and thinking habits that keep anxiety active. You will learn how to challenge unhelpful beliefs, shift rigid thinking, and build flexibility.
ERP focuses on behavioral change. It teaches your brain that anxiety does not need to be controlled, avoided, or solved. Instead, you learn to respond differently to worry, uncertainty, and physical symptoms. Through structured exposures, you practice letting anxiety rise and fall on its own without engaging in the mental behaviors that keep it alive.
Together, CBT and ERP help you:
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Reduce chronic worrying
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Let go of mental checking and rumination
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Make decisions more easily
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Break free from avoidance and overplanning
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Sleep better and feel more grounded
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Build tolerance for uncertainty
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Stop the constant “what if” spiral
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Trust yourself to handle whatever comes next
This combination is the gold-standard treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Meet Josh Kaplan, Your Colorado Anxiety Specialist
Hi, I’m Josh Kaplan, LCSW. For nearly 15 years, I’ve dedicated my work to helping teens and adults recover from anxiety and OCD. Treating panic is something I care deeply about, something I look forward to each day, and something I feel genuinely honored to do. I’ve seen how effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and exposure-based treatment can be, and my passion comes from watching people who once felt trapped by fear finally get their lives back.
Starting treatment for panic disorder can feel intimidating. Clients are often afraid, not knowing what to expect from therapy. I fully understand how powerful panic feels, how convincing the sensations can be, and how easily fear can take over your daily life. I consider my clients some of the bravest people I’ve ever met. Panic disorder and agoraphobia can shrink a person’s world quickly, yet you’re choosing to face the fear head-on and reclaim the parts of life you’ve been avoiding. That takes real courage. I value and respect that courage, and I work hard to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood.
Clients describe me as calm, warm, and direct. I’ll always explain the “why” behind every step of treatment so you understand exactly how each exposure exercise retrains your fear system. I’m compassionate, but I’m focused. I’ll keep us on track, hold you accountable to the goals you care about, push when I know you can handle more, and support you when the work feels difficult. My priority is helping you reduce the fear, rebuild confidence, and regain the freedom that panic has taken from you.
What GAD Treatment Looks Like
Together We Will:
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Map your anxiety cycle
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Identify your specific worry themes
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Break down the mental rituals and habits that keep you stuck
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Learn to interrupt avoidance behaviors
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Learn skills to tolerate and cope with anxiety
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Practice allowing uncertainty and worry rather than solving it
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Strengthen your ability to stay present
This is an active form of therapy. You will learn skills and practice them in and out of sessions.
Common Worry Themes in GAD
Generalized anxiety can latch onto almost any topic, but common worry themes include:
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Health and medical issues
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Work performance or productivity
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Finances
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Relationships
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Parenting
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Safety or disaster scenarios
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Everyday decisions
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World events and news
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The fear of making a mistake
It’s not about the content of the worry. It’s about the chronic habit of anticipating danger and preparing for every possibility.
Take the First Step Toward Freedom from OCD
Recovery begins with a single step. If you’re ready to start CBT therapy for anxiety and chronic worry, I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute online consultation. We’ll discuss your symptoms, goals, and what effective treatment can look like for you. Together, we’ll take the first step toward lasting relief and renewed peace of mind. I work with teens and adults throughout Colorado, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Boulder, Lakewood, Aurora, Greeley, and every region of the state.