Top-Rated Health Anxiety Therapist in Minnesota
Specialty in working with high-achieving women
Experience treating other forms of anxiety and related disorders, like OCD
Both in-person and convenient virtual sessions so you can get care that works for you
Uses a social justice, feminist lens to understand how systems impact your experience
Focus on evidence-based techniques to help you achieve real results
Blends modalities like CBT, ERP, and more to customize therapy to your needs and goals
Meet your Minnesota health anxiety specialist
Beth Klein, LMFT
Many of my clients are successful professionals who excel at caring for others—whether at work, at home, or elsewhere in their lives—but struggle to show up for themselves. And yet, their body lets them know that there's something deeper that needs attention. Health concerns pop up that don't seem to have any physical "cause." Their minds get caught in a loop of worry, and even in moments of relative peace, they can't seem to relax.
If this sounds like you, you're not alone—I'm here to help.
I'm Beth, a feminist therapist who specializes in helping high-achieving women overcome anxiety. My approach to therapy is both collaborative and dynamic, using a blend of evidence-based techniques to help you feel more in control.
We'll work together to uncover the roots of your health anxiety, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop practical strategies for lasting relief. I'm an active participant in your journey—offering honest feedback, fresh perspectives, and consistent support when you feel stuck.
My approach to health anxiety therapy
I recognize that each person is unique, so we'll work together to find the methods that resonate most with you. Here’s a look at some of the research-backed techniques we may use:
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Explore how your thoughts, emotions, and actions feed into each other to fuel anxiety and learn tangible skills to shift them toward peace.
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Learn how to confront your anxiety head-on in a gradual, supported way.
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Tune into your values and see how they can be your driving force in life, even in the face of stressors.
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Identify your fears about treatment and discover what motivates you to face those fears in order to free yourself from the control your health anxiety has over you.
These are just a few of the therapeutic modalities we may use in our work together.
How to get started
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Step 1: Get in touch
Fill out this quick form with some basic information. Once you submit the form, you'll receive a scheduling link to set up your free consultation.
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Step 2: Free consultation
During your free 30-minute consultation, we'll briefly discuss what brings you into therapy and how I may be able to help. You'll have the chance to ask questions and get a better feel for my approach.
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Step 3: First session
If we decide to move forward, you'll attend your first therapy session. During this intake, I'll ask more questions about your background and current situation, and we'll start planning your treatment.
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Step 4: Start healing
Through regular therapy sessions, we'll get to the root of your health anxiety and find personalized ways to help you find more calm in your day-to-day life.
Common reasons why people seek therapy for health anxiety
Constantly worrying about being sick.
You're often preoccupied with worries about having or developing serious illnesses. You may even seek medical attention for these concerns, but feel unsatisfied when medical professionals tell you you're fine. Your worries take up a lot of mental energy, making it difficult to focus on other aspects of your life.
Avoiding medical care or obsessively seeking it.
Maybe you avoid going to the doctor because you're consumed with fear of receiving bad news. Or maybe you're constantly scheduling medical appointments, looking for reassurance about your health concerns. Either way, your overall well-being takes a toll.
Anxiety about "normal" bodily sensations.
You experience real physical symptoms, like headaches, dizziness, or pain, that send you into an anxious spiral. These symptoms create a feedback loop where anxiety produces physical sensations, which then increase your anxiety further.
Impact on relationships and daily functioning.
Your health worries affect your relationships, work performance, or ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed (or just have any mental peace). Friends and family may express concern about how preoccupied you seem.
Excessive medical research and self diagnosis.
You spend hours researching symptoms online, constantly checking your body for signs of illness, or seeking repeated medical tests for reassurance. You might get temporary relief, but before you know it, doubt and worry settle back in.
Difficulty managing uncertainty.
You know logically that health always comes with uncertainty, but you feel an overwhelming need to know. Craving this certainty causes significant distress than can't be satisfied since you can't ever fully know whether you're 100% "healthy."
Is my practice the right fit for you?
While I'm passionate about helping as many women with health anxiety as possible, I recognize that my practice may not always be the right fit. Here are some situations where I may consider referring you to other providers.
Mental health crisis. As a solo outpatient therapy provider, my practice isn't equipped to offer 24/7 crisis support. I encourage you to contact the 988 Lifeline if you're experiencing a mental health crisis.
Medical emergencies. Health anxiety treatment isn't a replacement for receiving necessary medical care. While we'll work together to confront your worries, I won't dissuade you from seeking healthcare when you feel you need it.
Located outside of MN or WI. Licensing restrictions prohibit me from helping clients outside of Minnesota or Wisconsin. I offer virtual sessions to residents of both states, as well as in-person sessions in St. Paul.
Still not sure if I'm the right fit for you? Contact me to set up your free, no-obligation consultation.
FAQs
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"Health anxiety" is a colloquialism for the term illness anxiety disorder, which was formally known as "hypochondria" in the DSM (the manual that therapists use to diagnose mental health issues). People experiencing health anxiety have excessive fears about having or developing a medical condition, even if they don't have any symptoms.
A related condition is somatic symptom disorder, which is similar, but occurs when people experience real yet benign physical symptoms that cause an anxiety reaction that's out of proportion to the situation.
Health OCD is a subtype of OCD that comes with intrusive thoughts about health concerns paired with compulsive behaviors or mental rituals to reduce anxiety, like body checking, repeated doctor visits, or mental review of symptoms.
All of these are related and similar, yet distinct, issues. Rest assured, I'm experienced in treating both anxiety and OCD, and we'll work together to find a treatment that works for you, regardless of your particular presentation.
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There's no singular "best" treatment for health anxiety. The right approach for you will depend on your specific situation, needs, strengths, and goals.
I use a blend of evidence-based methods to treat health anxiety, including CBT, ERP, ACT, and more. Therapy with me will be customized to you, not imposed upon you.
Plus, specific modalities are only one part of effective therapy. The therapeutic relationship (i.e. the connection you have with your therapist) is another key component of getting the most out of counseling.
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Mental health issues like health anxiety or OCD don't "go away" in the sense that they'll be erased from your brain. They're often a result of early life experiences, genetic factors, environmental influences, and more, and therapy doesn't reverse all of those factors.
However, therapy can help you:
Better understand the role that health anxiety plays in your life
Confront anxieties rather than avoid them (which fuels anxious patterns)
Learn tangible tools for navigating anxiety
Address underlying needs that are going unmet
... and more.
Start working with a Minnesota health anxiety therapist today
Ready to live a life that's not controlled by health worries? It is possible. Let's work together to help you get there.