What is the primary goal when addressing a client with acute anxiety during a session?

The primary goal when addressing a client with acute anxiety during a session is to reduce immediate distress. Acute anxiety often manifests through overwhelming feelings of fear or panic that can severely impact a person's ability to function in daily life. By focusing on immediate distress reduction, a mental health professional can help the client learn coping strategies, introduce grounding techniques, and create a sense of safety within the therapeutic environment.

This approach allows the client to experience relief from the acute symptoms, making it easier to engage in further therapeutic work when they are in a calmer state. While exploring underlying psychological issues or confronting anxiety sources can be beneficial in the long run, addressing acute anxiety first involves providing immediate support and stabilization. Encouraging avoidance of triggers is counterproductive in the long term, as it often promotes increased anxiety and can limit the client's ability to face and manage their fears effectively. Thus, prioritizing immediate distress reduction fosters a more productive therapy session and paves the way for deeper exploration in the future.