How to Overcome Driving Anxiety with the Help of Therapy
Therapy Options for Fear of Driving
Rebecca Sidoti, LCSW
OCD & Anxiety
Ketamine Therapist
VR Therapist
Caroline Goodhines
Learn more →
Molly Weaver
Learn more →
Denise Spivey
Learn more →
Related Articles
Driving anxiety can be a crippling fear, preventing individuals from experiencing the freedom of the open road. Whether it stems from a past accident, fear of losing control, or general anxiety, the fear of driving can significantly impact daily life. The good news? Therapy offers proven solutions to help you regain confidence and overcome your fear of driving.
Let’s explore the causes of driving anxiety, the best types of therapy for it, and practical strategies to help you take control of the wheel—both literally and mentally.
What is Driving Anxiety?
Driving anxiety is an intense fear or nervousness related to operating a vehicle. Some people experience mild unease, while others have full-blown panic attacks at the thought of driving. Symptoms can include:
- Increased heart rate and sweating
- Dizziness or shortness of breath
- Catastrophic thoughts (e.g., “I will crash” or “I will lose control”)
- Avoidance of driving or certain roads
This fear can be generalized (fear of all driving situations) or situational (fear of highways, bridges, tunnels, or traffic).
What Causes Driving Anxiety?
The root cause of driving anxiety varies from person to person, but common triggers include:
Generalized Anxiety or Panic Disorder
- Fear of losing control while driving
- Anxiety unrelated to a past incident but linked to high-stress situations.
Lack of Confidence or Inexperience
- New drivers or those who haven’t driven in years
- Fear of making mistakes behind the wheel
Past Traumatic Experiences
- Car accidents or witnessing crashes
- Getting lost or stranded in an unsafe place
Fear of Specific Situations (Other Phobia)
- Bridges, tunnels, or highways
- Heavy traffic or aggressive drivers
- Driving alone or at night
Driving Anxiety vs. Agoraphobia: What's the Difference?
Many people confuse driving anxiety with agoraphobia, but they are distinct conditions that are addressed differently in therapy.
If someone avoids driving due to a general fear of feeling trapped, being to far from their comfort zone (home), or fear of being ‘stuck rather than the act of driving itself, agoraphobia might be the underlying issue.
Agoraphobia
- Fear is linked to being in places where escape may be difficult (crowds, open spaces, public transit)
- Often linked to panic disorder and avoidance of certain locations
- Symptoms occur in various settings, including public spaces and social situations
- Treatment involves Exposure Therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address avoidance behaviors and fear of being trapped
Fear of Driving
Fear is specific to driving situations
Can stem from past trauma, lack of experience, or generalized anxiety
Symptoms occur primarily when thinking about or engaging in driving
Exposure therapy can help by gradually increasing confidence behind the wheel as well as CBT to address negative thinking cycles that worsen symtpoms.
Driving Anxiety vs. PTSD from a Car Accident
While driving anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a car accident may seem similar, they have key differences.
If a person experiences persistent distress, flashbacks, or severe panic after a car accident, PTSD treatment may be necessary in addition to driving anxiety therapy.
PTSD from a Car Accident
- Develops after a traumatic experience (e.g., a severe car crash)
- Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and severe emotional distress when reminded of the accident
- May require trauma-focused therapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to reprocess traumatic memories
Best Types of Therapy for Driving Anxiety
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Fear of Driving
- CBT is one of the most effective treatments for driving anxiety. It helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and replace them with realistic, positive ones. A therapist may use:
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Identifying and challenging irrational fears
- Relaxation Techniques for Driving Anxiety
- Breathing exercises and mindfulness to reduce panic
- Exposure Therapy (Graduated Exposure)
- This approach involves slowly and systematically facing driving fears. A therapist may suggest:
- First sitting in a parked car to reduce anxiety;
Then driving in a quiet neighborhood;
Progressing to busier roads and highways over time
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- EMDR is particularly useful for those whose driving anxiety stems from past trauma, such as a car accident.
- This therapy helps reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact.
- Hypnotherapy
- Some people find relief from driving anxiety through hypnosis. This therapy helps access the subconscious mind, changing deep-rooted fears and improving confidence behind the wheel.
- Virtual Reality Therapy
- Emerging technology allows individuals to face their driving fears in a virtual environment before transitioning to real-world scenarios. VR exposure therapy provides a safe, controlled way to practice driving skills.
When to Seek Therapy for Fear of Driving
If driving anxiety is significantly impacting your daily life, work, or social activities, therapy is a valuable investment. A mental health professional can provide structured guidance and proven techniques to help you reclaim your independence on the road.
Driving anxiety is a real and challenging fear, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Through therapy and gradual exposure, you can retrain your brain to see driving as a safe, manageable activity.
🚗 Ready to take control of your driving anxiety?
Start small, seek support, and trust in your ability to improve!
Where are you located? I need a therapist near me
We are fully online, which means that your therapy sessions will be help via video call on our HIPAA compliant Platform. Anyone in New Jersey can access our therapy services
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page might answer your questions about your insurance information, cost and OON coverage.
What are out-of-network benefits?
Visits our FAQ About Insurance to learn more about OON coverage for mental health services. We can also check your benefits for you. When using OON benefits, patients typically pay the full cost of the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurance company for reimbursement.
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that tele-therapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether tele-therapy is working for you.
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
- Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
- Your therapist respects boundaries
- You’re moving towards your goals
- You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life - Your self-esteem is getting better
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
Can Anyone Benefit from Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
KAP has shown promise for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and certain anxiety disorders. However, its efficacy can vary from person to person.
What Can Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Help to Treat??
Ketamine has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Phobias and OCD. As Ketamine therapy providers, we offer this service to help clients break cycles of thinking traps that lead to compulsive behaviors.
Is KAP the same as Ketamine infusions?
KAP is a therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy. Our Process of providing ketamine assisted psychotherapy is different from ketamine infusions, which are typically administered without the accompanying psychotherapy. Our partnership with Journey Clinical provides patients with lozenges for self-administering their Ketamine dose prescribed by the Journey Clinical provider.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
While ketamine has the potential for misuse, when used in a controlled medical setting for therapeutic purposes, the risk of addiction is considered low according to medical researchers
What Neurotransmitters are effected by Ketamine?
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which can lead to an increase in the release of certain neurotransmitters. This can result in rapid antidepressant effects
How does ketamine compare to other psychedelic medicines?
Ketamine is unique in its rapid antidepressant effects and mechanism of action. Other psychedelics, like psilocybin, have different mechanisms and therapeutic potentials.
How often would KAP be needed?
The frequency of KAP sessions would depend on the individual’s response to treatment and the medical provider’s recommendations.
What medical conditions might disqualify someone from KAP?
Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension or a history of psychosis, might be contraindications for KAP. See Our “Safety Measures” page for more information about the precautions that the medical team adheres to, along with other safety measure sin place.
How many ketamine treatment sessions do clients need for KAP?
The number of sessions can vary based on individual needs and the specific protocol followed by the provider. For Full details, visit the “Our Process” page. Generally 2-3 sessions are held prior to a dosing session, and then integration sessions are held after a dosing session. Depending on your treatment plan, there may be more or less number of sessions