Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is the mind and body’s way of scanning for danger and an internal alarm system meant to keep us safe. Sometimes when the alarm goes off too often, too loudly, or in situations that aren’t actually threatening it can feel overwhelming or make us want to do anything we can to avoid feeling it.

Anxiety can show up as constant worrying, racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty focusing, or a sense of dread. Physically, it may feel like:

  • a tight chest

  • a knot in the stomach

  • quickened or pounding heartbeat

  • dizziness

  • trembling

  • nausea

  • trouble sleeping

  • feeling “keyed up” and unable to settle.

A calming beach image for anxiety therapy in NYC

THERAPY FOR ANXIETY

The most effective strategies combine nervous-system tools with deeper emotional work.

Evidence-based therapy for anxiety
in-person or online

How Therapy Helps With Anxiety

To be most effective anxiety treatment needs to go beyond coping skills and address the roots of anxiety. Using a combination of action-oriented tools, mindfulness, body awareness practices and deeper work you can strengthen your capacity to feel grounded, present and emotionally safe.

What Anxiety Therapy Sessions Look Like

In therapy, we work together to:

Understand what your anxiety is trying to protect

Identify situations or emotions that activate it

Process unresolved experiences at the root of the fear

Explore relational patterns that fuel anxiety

Strengthen your capacity for calm, clarity, and emotional balance

Build new ways of responding that feel authentic and sustainable

Therapy is collaborative. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

My approach integrates:

Emotionally-Focused Therapy

To reconnect with primary emotions beneath anxiety like fear, sadness, longing, vulnerability. This helps you to respond rather than spiral.

Psychodynamic Therapy

To explore how early patterns and relationships shaped the way you cope, protect, and relate to others.

Narrative Therapy

To gently rewrite the internal stories that keep anxiety alive. These might be stories around responsibility, identity, worthiness, and safety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

To help you identify, test and re-author thoughts that give your anxiety power.

Mind-Body Tools

To support nervous system regulation, reduce physical symptoms, and increase your window of tolerance.

I use a unique combination of tools depending on your unique history and challenges.

SCHEDULE A CONSULT FOR ANXIETY THERAPY

Who I Work With

I support adults, teens and professionals struggling with:

  • GENERALIZED ANXIETY

  • OVERTHINKING & RUMINATION

  • HEALTH ANXIETY

  • SOCIAL ANXIETY

  • PANIC SYMPTOMS

  • WORK OR PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

  • STRESS FROM HIGH PRESSURE CAREERS

  • ANXIETY DUE TO LIFE TRANSITIONS

  • RELATIONSHIP-BASED ANXIETY & ATTACHMENT FEARS

In-person therapy is available in Midtown Manhattan (NYC), and virtual therapy is available throughout New York State.

How to Recognize Anxiety

Mental & Emotional Signs

  • Racing or obsessive thoughts

  • Irritability

  • Emotional overwhelm

  • Catastrophic thinking

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Feeling disconnected or “not like yourself”

Physical Symptoms

  • Chest tightness

  • Throat tension or difficulty swallowing

  • Stomach discomfort

  • Headaches

  • Trembling, shakiness

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Feeling restless or keyed up

Behavioral Patterns

  • Avoiding situations you fear

  • Over-preparing

  • Perfectionism

  • People-pleasing

  • Difficulty relaxing

  • Procrastination mixed with pressure