How Florida Professionals Are Coping with Work Overload and the Stress of Rising Costs Through Anxiety Treatment, CBT, and Counseling

With the job market in disarray and many people in Florida feeling the pinch of rising costs on everything from groceries to childcare, Florida professionals are experiencing increased anxiety, depression, and even feelings of hopelessness in 2025. 

Across the state, professionals in every industry, from hospitality to technology, are working longer hours, weathering widespread layoffs, and learning to pinch pennies as the cost of living in Florida has skyrocketed. It has all led to an overall rise in reports of anxiety and depression among Floridians that no amount of sunshine and beach time has been able to alleviate.

McNulty Counseling and Wellness has seen how things have shifted in the Sunshine State and has built its approach to therapy around the changing needs of Floridians. “People are feeling like the world is demanding more of them than they can give,” says Travis McNulty, clinical director and founder of McNulty Counseling. 

With leading practices in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota, the professionals at McNulty have created a supportive environment for comprehensive therapy, creating a pathway toward a more fulfilling life — even in the face of external challenges.

Managing anxiety: Therapy that helps professionals across Florida

A recent survey by Florida Atlantic University found that nearly half of Floridians are considering leaving the state due to the rising cost of living. If that wasn’t enough to cause widespread anxiety and depression, the job market for professionals in Florida has been anything but welcoming.

“Professionals are being asked to do more with fewer resources,” explains McNulty. “The result is a growing population of professionals who are overworked and burnt out.”

As McNulty explains, burnout can lead to chronic stress, increased anxiety, and an uptick in depression that results in disrupted sleep, health concerns such as headaches and shortness of breath, irritability, and feelings of disconnection from family, which can greatly impact someone’s standard of living and relationships. Left unaddressed, these issues can develop into more serious issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, major depression, or other mood disorders.

“Florida’s professionals are resilient, but that resilience needs support,” says McNulty. Through therapy, professionals can get the support they need and learn treatment options to deal with the anxiety and stress that come with an unpredictable job market and rising cost of living.

The therapy journey: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and treatment for anxiety

With many counseling and therapy providers in Florida to choose from, McNulty Counseling and Wellness has worked hard to set itself apart as an expert in anxiety treatment. For over 30 years, they have been one of Florida’s most trusted providers of effective treatment, built on the belief that happiness and life balance are achievable for everyone, even those with severe anxiety or depression. The practice’s team of licensed therapists has over 250,000 hours of face-to-face experience, offering Florida-based clients a group of seasoned professionals specializing in individual therapy, anxiety management, couples therapy, and stress management. 

Unlike a one-size-fits-all therapy model, McNulty Counseling and Wellness emphasizes finding the right therapist match for each client. Each client is given a quiz that helps the team match them with the mental health professional who has the right personality and know-how to address the client’s concerns and goals. 

This highly personalized approach has enabled McNulty Counseling and Wellness not only to build trust within the community but also to help clients accelerate their progress. When people feel understood and heard, their form of therapy is more likely to be effective.

An integrative therapy care model for everything from social anxiety to stress disorders

McNulty Counseling and Wellness’s platform is a multidisciplinary, integrative care model. The therapy professionals blend talk therapy with evidence-based treatments such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), anxiety counseling, group therapy, ADHD and executive cognitive functioning support, and relationship therapy for couples and families.

The practice also recognizes that mental health can be affected by more than just external factors, such as work stress and rising costs. Physiological factors are addressed with the McNulty team through psychiatric care and medication management services.

Through collaborative efforts and customized treatment plans, people experiencing anxiety, depression, or even trauma from work or financial issues can benefit from a full-service, holistic approach to healing.

Serving Floridians with anxiety therapy and mental health treatment, no matter where they are 

With multiple office locations in Florida and secure telehealth options available throughout the state, McNulty Counseling and Wellness makes its high-quality services highly accessible and flexible, especially for busy professionals balancing commutes, larger workloads, and family commitments. 

“Our virtual sessions are especially game-changing,” offers McNulty. “We can offer the same level of personal connection that we are known for, with the added convenience of privacy and flexibility.”

For many professionals, a turning point may come when they realize they simply cannot shoulder their work responsibilities without feelings of anxiety, or they are losing sleep over financial concerns. Therapy can offer a helping hand off the hamster wheel. Taking that first step can set people on a clear pathway toward a better life.

“Reaching out can initially feel intimidating sometimes, but we work hard to make that first step simple and welcoming,” says McNulty.

The professionals at McNulty Counseling and Wellness are not just interested in helping professionals survive; they want them to truly live life in the best way possible.