Orlando Therapist Explains Anxiety vs. Intuition: How to Tell the Difference

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

You’re at a crossroads and a feeling washes over you: don’t move forward. You sense it in your body, but you can’t quite explain it. The question starts spinning in your mind, is this my intuition guiding me, or is it fear holding me back?

You don’t want to live a fear-based life. You’re ready to take risks, to expand, to learn, and to grow. You know that living in fear keeps you playing small, and you’re no longer willing to settle for that.

It’s common to wonder what your body is trying to tell you. Is it an intuitive hunch, or is it fear? When you first start leaning into your gut and listening for intuition, it can feel confusing. In the beginning, it’s hard to tell the difference between fear holding you back and the wisdom of your body pointing the way forward.

In this post, we’ll look at what makes intuition different from anxiety and explore practical ways to strengthen your intuition. By the end, you’ll have tools to help you recognize whether it’s fear speaking or your inner wisdom guiding you.

Anxiety Therapist Answers: What is Exposure Therapy?

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

You often decline invitations to birthday parties, family gatherings, or after-work drinks, saying you're too tired or have other plans, just to avoid feeling judged or awkward in social situations. You refuse to go on family vacations that require flying because you are too afraid of it.

You've lived with anxiety for so long that avoiding uncomfortable situations, thoughts, and feelings has become so natural. But deep down, you know that avoiding everything that provokes anxiety will not make things better in the long term. Maybe you've heard about exposure therapy and how effective it can be for treating anxiety, and now you're searching online for "exposure therapy near me." Still, the idea of facing the things you fear can sound scary, or at the very least, uncomfortable. You might be wondering, “What exposure therapy actually treats?” “When is it not recommended?” or “Could it really help with my anxiety or phobia?”

I am an anxiety therapist, and I'll answer these questions and more in this article so you can make an informed and confident decision when choosing the right anxiety treatment in Orlando. Exposure therapy is one of the most researched and effective forms of anxiety treatment in Orlando and beyond.