Anxiety therapy

I am starting anxiety therapy next week. Has anybody been through this? What form is it likely to take?

Many therapists will try to train you to use relaxation/mind-clearing techniques to still the raging waters. Eastern religions are big on meditation, centering and breathing techniques. It really works.
The thing that helped me the most was to remember to breathe (but not too much).
There was one time that I was hyperventilating without being aware of the fact. I thought that I was suffocating (not getting enough air) when I was, in fact getting too much air.
My arms and legs went numb and fizzy. I felt faint and detached from reality. I thought that I was having a stroke or heart attack, which made it even worse. The anxiety became a panic attack.
When I got to ER, they had me breathe into a brown paper bag. After about 10 minutes I was fine.
Just being aware that that can happen, helped me to make sure that it wouldn't happen again.

My breathing is the first thing that changes when I get anxious. I always have to be in tune with that. Breathe slow and deep, like a sigh.
Tightness of the chest and heart palpitations can be another sign of anxiety. As long as I know what it is, I can usually diffuse it when it starts.

Eat and drink right. Avoid sugar, tobacco, alcohol or other substances that may work against you and increase hyperactivity.
The doctor prescribed mild medications to 'take the edge off' my anxiety. The same medication was also used to treat depression, which often goes hand-in-hand with anxiety.
The meds were slow to build up in the body and slow to leave the body. It was important for me to take them as prescribed and not as needed. Taking then during a panic attack would not help as there was no 'instant relief' which might have made them habit-forming or addictive.

After the initial evaluation, a treatment plan will be drawn up for your consideration. I would follow through with what the doctor suggests as they are the expert.
There may be some med adjustments and changes after you get started. The biggest side-effect for me was dry-mouth. We are all different and may experience different side-effects and degrees of side-effects.
Dry-mouth was pretty easy, I just carried a bottle of carbonated water with me. If you notice anything unusual happening, contact the office or pharmacy right away.
Best of luck to you.

Thanks Wally that helps a lot. I was anxious about the anxiety therapy! I certainly don't intend to argue with the therapists, though I reserve the right to tell them if something isn't working or is making me worse.

After the assessment I am booked on CBT therapy , starting in September. So my first step was worth taking!

I started EMDR treatment from my therapist and my anxiety and ruminating have reduced in just 3 sessions. EMDR helps rewire your memories and thoughts using the function of your brain.

I'm glad your therapy is working Kitty. Tonight is my first session, so of course I'm feeling anxious about it! But hopefully I can get there and it will go well.

Well I made it! Two nice therapists covered the basics of stress and anxiety. Nice to be with other sufferers. Now I have to do my homework for next week!