ANXIETY THERAPY
Does Anxiety Cast A Looming Shadow Over Your Life?
Do you feel too stressed out to fully enjoy yourself? Does anxiety dominate your day to day thoughts so much that you don’t have enough space to focus on the enjoyable or important aspects of life? Are you tired of trying to juggle so many responsibilities and obligations to other people? Do you often find that you have a short fuse with your loved ones? Have you been feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, like you can’t get a moment’s peace?
Anxiety often starts out small, but when left untreated, it can quickly become an overwhelming blockade that prevents you from meaningfully engaging in your relationships, work, and every area of your life. Anxiety can leave you unable to focus. It can also put a lot of wear and tear on you physically—you might sleep poorly, struggle with exhaustion, or go through your day with a clenched jaw and tightness all over your body. Nonetheless, there is reason for hope—I am experienced in treating anxiety and there are many skills and tools you can learn to manage it.
About Anxiety Therapy
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When you’re dealing with anxiety, it’s easy to feel like you’re living in the future instead of the present. Because you’re always worrying about the “what ifs” and events that haven’t happened yet, you might not be able to slow down and enjoy the moment. Your mind is always racing too far ahead.
Thankfully, you can reduce your stress and learn to stay within your window of tolerance. It is really achievable. Therapy can help you learn to regulate anxiety so that it takes up less space in your life.
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Millions of people struggle with anxiety every day. It’s estimated that more than 30 percent of Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.¹
Believe it or not, anxiety isn’t entirely a bad thing. It’s a natural physical and emotional reaction borne out of evolutionary traits that have helped humans survive for thousands of years. At its core, anxiety is an internal alarm. It can alert you to danger and push you to try your best on important tasks. But when it’s left unexamined, anxiety can become overwhelming and all-encompassing.
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We’re surrounded by technology 24/7 and bombarded with more information than our brains are built to handle. Social media may make us all more connected, but it creates a culture of endless comparisons and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)—we see people who appear to be living their best lives and worry that we’re not good enough. What’s more, we’re exposed to negative news all the time. Between a global pandemic and the coarsening of our political and civic culture, it’s no wonder we’re all stressed out.
Anxiety therapy can help you unplug, step away from all these social pressures, and just be yourself. What’s more, it can be an opportunity to learn new tools for managing your symptoms and achieving long-lasting relief.
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Clients often come to therapy hoping to “get over” anxiety. But the more you fight against anxiety, the worse it can get. Therapy is not about eliminating anxiety, but learning to control it so that it takes up less space in your life. Instead of slapping a band-aid on your symptoms, I want to help you understand the purpose your anxiety serves, why it arose, and what you can do to manage it better – and make it take up much less space.
There are proven tools you can use to regain control of your wellbeing. My goal is to help you master these skills so that you can turn to them whenever symptoms arise outside of sessions. Additionally, I’ll give you a safe space to share your emotions without fear of being judged.
What To Expect In Anxiety Counseling Sessions
I believe in a holistic yet deeply practical approach to the healing process. On one hand, I’ll help you understand and address the root causes of your anxiety. On the other, we’ll look at the levers you can pull right now and behaviors you can modify to reduce the impact of anxiety in your life.
Therapy often follows a threefold process: the immediate goal is to regain the basic functioning that anxiety impedes, the intermediate goal is to renew your sense of joy, and the long-term goal is to attain the confidence and skillset to take on anxiety so that it doesn’t interfere with your life years down the road.
Tailoring Your Anxiety Treatment Plan
I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches because they target specific problems and symptoms and can help you feel more in control. I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because of its proven ability to help people reduce anxiety. Using CBT, we can work through the cognitive distortions that fuel your anxiety and restructure negative thoughts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you identify your values and take actions that align with those values. It can help you observe your thoughts and feelings without judgement and learn strategies that will allow you to live in the present moment.
I also utilize exposure therapy, which seeks to gradually decrease your fear of stressful situations through controlled exposure to them. Mindfulness is deeply important to my approach as well. It can help you increase your self-awareness and learn to accept your thoughts and emotions without trying to change them.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. With my client-centered approach, I’m confident that you will feel some relief after our first session. My hope is that anxiety therapy can free you up to find more joy and satisfaction in your relationships, recreational pursuits, and every area of your life.
You May Have Further Questions And Concerns About Anxiety Therapy…
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The length of treatment varies from person to person. Many clients come to therapy for the short term, stopping after they’ve improved their confidence and learned to control their stress. Others find it useful to maintain an ongoing relationship with their therapist to explore themselves and heal the deeper roots of their anxiety. Ultimately, you get to decide how long you’re in therapy—I’m here to create a treatment plan that works for you.
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The more you discuss your fears and work through them, the less anxiety-provoking they usually become. In fact, ignoring your anxiety often makes it worse. It’s by talking to a skilled and caring therapist that you can get control of your anxiety and lower your stress levels. And we will go at a pace that’s right for you.
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I customize my approach to meet the financial needs of each client. I’ll work with you to find a plan that suits your situation. Although finances are important, so is your mental health. Therapy is an investment in yourself that can benefit you for the rest of your life.
You Don’t Have To Live In The Shadow Of Anxiety Any Longer.
If anxiety has cast a shadow over your life, therapy can help you find the freedom to move into a brighter, happier future. To learn more or schedule a consultation, email or call me at 914-266-2584.