A Clear Path Through Anxiety
You don’t have to keep struggling with anxiety alone. Maybe you’ve been dealing with it for so long that you can’t remember what it feels like to not worry constantly. Maybe you’re exhausted from the mental gymnastics of trying to avoid triggers, or tired of missing out on things because anxiety holds you back.
Here’s the thing: you’re not broken, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Anxiety is just really good at convincing us we’re stuck. But you’re not—and we can prove it.
Pathfinder 10 is our structured 10-session anxiety therapy program serving Chicago and Illinois, designed to give you real, practical tools that help you understand and manage your anxiety, not just survive it.
Why Pathfinder 10?
Pathfinder 10 is different from generic anxiety treatment. Yes, it’s a structured 10-session program that combines evidence-based CBT with mindfulness practices—but here’s what makes it unique: it’s designed to be your path, not a one-size-fits-all approach. While the framework provides clear direction, you and your therapist work together to customize each session to fit your specific anxiety patterns, triggers, and goals.
You’ll learn practical coping tools you can use immediately, build resilience against stress (including work burnout), and develop strategies for calmer living that last long after therapy ends. This isn’t about following someone else’s map—it’s about creating your own path through anxiety, with expert guidance every step of the way.
A Healing Journey Worth Taking
We know how overwhelming anxiety can feel. Maybe you’ve tried to “just relax” or “stop worrying so much,” only to find it doesn’t work that way. The truth is, managing anxiety isn’t about forcing yourself to feel different—it’s about learning skills that actually help.
Pathfinder 10 gives you a clear roadmap. Each session builds on the last, teaching you practical techniques you can use right away. Whether you’re meeting with us in-person at our Lakeview office or via telehealth anywhere in Illinois, you’ll learn to understand what’s happening in your body and mind, challenge the thoughts that fuel anxiety, and develop genuine confidence in your ability to handle difficult moments.
This isn’t just theory—it’s a toolkit for real life.
What Makes Pathfinder 10 Different
Rooted in What Works
We blend time-tested CBT techniques with mindfulness practices and resource-building exercises. Every approach we use has solid research behind it and has helped countless people find relief.
One Step at a Time
Ten clear waypoints guide your journey. You’ll always know where you are and what’s coming next. No confusion, no feeling lost—just steady progress at a pace that works for you.
Tools You Can Actually Use
This isn’t just conversation. You’ll get a workbook filled with exercises, tracking sheets, and reference guides—resources you can turn to any time anxiety shows up, even long after therapy ends.
Your Pace, Your Journey
Some people breeze through a waypoint in one session. Others need more time to really integrate the skills. There’s no rush, no judgment—just what works for you.
The 10 Waypoints
Think of waypoints as markers on a journey—points along the path that help you know where you are and where you’re headed. Just like a traveler uses waypoints to navigate unfamiliar terrain, you’ll use these ten sessions to navigate your way toward calmer, more peaceful living.
Here’s what makes this different: this isn’t a rigid checklist you have to complete exactly as written. These waypoints are a framework, not a formula. Some people move through certain waypoints quickly because they click right away. Others need more time with particular skills, spending two or three sessions really getting comfortable before moving forward. That’s not falling behind—that’s customizing the journey to fit your anxiety, your life, and your pace.
Your therapist will work with you to decide which waypoints need more attention, which skills resonate most, and how to adapt the program so it actually works for you. By the time you reach the final waypoint, you won’t just have completed a program—you’ll have created your own personalized path to managing anxiety, one that you can return to whenever you need it.
You and your therapist will start by helping you understand what anxiety actually is and how it shows up for you—in your body, your thoughts, and your daily life. Think of this part of your journey as mindful observation where you notice how anxiety has typically shown up for you.
You’ll learn simple but powerful techniques together to ground yourself in the here and now—because anxiety loves to pull you into the past or future. Consider this part of your journey as very much rooted in mindfulness with a focus on this very moment in time.
Your therapist will help you develop awareness of automatic thoughts and learn to identify the cognitive distortions that fuel your anxiety.
Here’s where things get practical. You and your therapist will work together to question anxious thoughts like a detective—looking at the evidence and finding more balanced ways to think.
Together, you’ll create a safe, peaceful place in your mind that you can visit whenever things feel overwhelming. It’s like having an internal refuge always available. Think of this place as a destination you can travel to at any point in time, such as the here and now or in the future. The takeaway from this experience is a powerful coping took for anxiety and stress.
Your therapist will guide you to move beyond fighting anxiety and toward accepting its presence while staying connected to what matters most in your life. A term you will learn as part of the experience is radical acceptance.
You’ll learn skills for expressing your needs, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy relationships—common areas where anxiety shows up. If you are in a relationship or worry about how anxiety might show up in a future relationship, you’ll learn a great deal from this part of your journey.
You and your therapist will look at how sleep, movement, and what you eat affect your anxiety, then make a realistic plan for change. Think of this part of your journey as part education and part skill-building, with the goal of helping you develop anxiety inoculation skills for the long-term. In this way, you become a Voyager.
Together, you’ll bring all your skills into practice and use them in combination as you face increasingly challenging situations. Real life, hands-on practical experience will be gained here as you become more centered.
Let’s be real—anxiety might show up again sometimes. You and your therapist will create your personalized toolkit for keeping these skills alive and knowing when to reach out for support.
You deserve to feel calmer
Anxiety might be part of your story right now, but it doesn’t have to be the whole story. With the right guidance and tools, you can learn to move through life with more ease and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pathfinder 10 works best for mild to moderate anxiety. In your first few sessions, we’ll talk honestly about whether this structured approach is a good fit for where you’re at right now. If you’re dealing with severe anxiety that’s really disrupting your daily life, active dissociation, or you’re in crisis, we might recommend starting with a more flexible approach first. The goal is always to meet you where you are and use what actually helps.
It really depends on you. While there are 10 waypoints, some people move through one per week (about 10-12 weeks total), while others take their time and spend 2-3 sessions on the parts that need more attention. There’s no rush. We’re more interested in making sure you really get these skills than checking boxes quickly.
Yes! We offer Pathfinder 10 both in-person at our Lakeview office and via secure telehealth for Illinois residents. Many clients prefer the flexibility of telehealth sessions, especially if they’re located in the Chicago suburbs or elsewhere in Illinois. Either way, you’ll receive the same high-quality structured treatment.
We accept BCBS PPO of Illinois. Pathfinder 10 sessions are billed as standard therapy sessions, so your insurance coverage applies. Contact us to verify your specific plan, and we’ll help you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. You can also use your HSA card. A receipt can be provided upon request for reimbursement from your organization’s HSA plan.
Absolutely. Your therapist can adjust things to fit you better. And if we discover that Pathfinder 10 isn’t quite right, that’s okay—we have other ways of working with anxiety. The structure is helpful for many people, but we’re always willing to adapt or switch approaches based on what’s actually working.
Yes. Clients working through Pathfinder 10 receive the comprehensive workbook that includes all exercises, tracking logs, and reference materials. This becomes your personal toolkit for managing anxiety both during and after therapy.
Pathfinder 10 is delivered as individual therapy—it’s just you and your therapist working together. This one-on-one approach allows your therapist to tailor the program to your specific needs, move at your pace, and address your unique anxiety patterns. All sessions are confidential and focused entirely on your journey.
Absolutely. Our Chicago practice is proudly LGBTQ+ affirming, and all our therapists are trained in providing culturally responsive care. Pathfinder 10 adapts to your specific life experiences and challenges. Whether your anxiety relates to identity, coming out, relationship dynamics, or any other aspect of your life, your therapist will create a safe, supportive space where you can be fully yourself.
Pathfinder 10 was developed by a consortium of therapists at Calm Anxiety CBT Therapy Clinic, based on direct feedback from our clients about what they were looking for in anxiety treatment. The name was inspired by NASA’s Pathfinder mission—a metaphor for exploration and discovery. Just as the Mars Pathfinder blazed a trail across new terrain, this program is designed to help you chart your own unique path through anxiety. Rather than following a rigid protocol, Pathfinder 10 gives you the structure and tools to navigate anxiety in a way that’s meaningful to you.
Important Note: Pathfinder 10 is designed to support your work in therapy and works best for mild to moderate anxiety. If you’re experiencing severe anxiety, active dissociation, or you’re in crisis, we’ll work with you to find the right approach for where you are right now. Your therapist at our Chicago practice will discuss this with you honestly during your initial consultation. We serve clients throughout Illinois via telehealth and in-person at our Lakeview office. If you’re ever in crisis, please reach out to your therapist immediately or call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You don’t have to keep struggling with anxiety alone. Let’s talk about whether Pathfinder 10 might be right for you. Serving Chicago and all of Illinois via telehealth.
Pathfinder 10 Anxiety Therapy - Chicago & Beyond
Available in-person and via telehealth throughout Illinois