Therapy for Anxiety
Collaborative, evidence-based support that fits your busy life. Offering in-person anxiety therapy on the Upper West Side and telehealth across New York.
Schedule a free consultation at a time that works for you, and let’s explore what we can achieve together!
Do you feel like your thoughts are racing a hundred miles per hour? Maybe you feel nervous or on edge, with a tightness in your chest that makes it hard to breathe. Managing all this can feel overwhelming, especially in the nonstop pace of the city that never sleeps. I know that experience all too well, and I’m here to support you through therapy for anxiety in NYC.
We all experience occasional anxiety—in fact, it’s a protective emotion. Imagine coming face-to-face with a bear in the wild—anxiety is what triggers your survival instinct, your “fight or flight” response. Most likely, it would help you run away and live to tell the story.
However, in some cases, anxiety can make you feel like you’re in danger, even when you’re not. It often leads to avoidance and can interfere with your daily life. When fear becomes intense, hard to control, and disproportionate to the actual threat, it may be an anxiety disorder. While it may feel isolating, you’re not alone: over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) live with an anxiety disorder.
Left untreated, anxiety can worsen over time and take over your whole life, but with the right support, you can overcome it!
Common Symptoms Therapy for Anxiety Can Help With
All anxiety disorders share a common symptom: excessive, ongoing worry or fear in situations that aren’t actually threatening. In addition to this, here are other common symptoms of anxiety:
Psychological Symptoms
- Feeling nervous or tense.
- Restlessness, irritability, or feeling constantly on edge.
- Anticipating the worst and having a sense of impending danger.
- Difficulty concentrating or being unable to stop worrying.
- Feeling the urge to avoid situations that trigger anxiety.
Physical Symptoms
- Increased heart rate, shortness of breath, or hyperventilation.
- Sweating and trembling.
- Insomnia and headaches.
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Feeling weak, tired, or fatigued.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders. The most common include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about everyday life. It can consume hours of your day, making it difficult to concentrate or complete daily activities. The constant worry becomes exhausting and can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as muscle tension, nausea, or headaches.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People can mistake it for shyness, but it’s much more than that. It involves intense fear and irrational worries regarding social interaction. Someone with this disorder may fear humiliation or being judged for something they do or say. They may avoid social situations altogether, leading to isolation and distress.
Panic Disorder
It involves recurring panic attacks and feelings of terror that come without warning. Panic attacks can cause intense chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and stomach discomfort. They’re often mistaken for heart attacks and can lead to fears of losing control or dying. Someone with this disorder will do everything to avoid an attack and may isolate themselves.
Other anxiety disorders include agoraphobia and specific phobias, as well as those caused by substance use or medication.
If any of these sound familiar and you’re near the Upper West Side in New York City, I can support your healing and growth through anxiety therapy.
Get Started With Therapy for Anxiety in NYC
Are you tired of feeling like anxiety is running your life? I’m here to help you take the lead, grow, and heal with strength and self-compassion.
How Can I Help You Through Therapy For Anxiety
As a specialized professional in NYC, I bring my expertise and experience to support individuals through anxiety therapy. I’m especially dedicated to helping successful, high-achieving professionals, particularly women, beat anxiety, as I understand the unique challenges they face every day.
In my career, I’ve learned firsthand about burnout, setbacks, and the importance of work-life balance. I also know how overwhelming anxiety can feel when you add in the busy life of New York City to the mix.
Through anxiety therapy in NYC, I will help you reframe your perspective on success in a healthier way. You can still strive for achievement without letting anxiety or perfectionism harm your mental health and burn you out. We’ll work together to embrace your strengths while also acknowledging your struggles. After all, that’s not a weakness—it’s part of being human.
By treating your anxiety, I’ll help you build a more balanced life—one where you feel more focused and have greater clarity. Over time, you’ll stop second-guessing yourself at every turn and start enjoying your success without the constant pressure.
My Approach to Therapy For Anxiety in NYC
I believe in a practical, collaborative approach where you are the expert on you. As a partner in your treatment, my goal is to ensure you feel truly heard. I want to help you feel better as soon as possible and get back on the road to a better life.
My approach to anxiety therapy is grounded in a strong therapeutic relationship and a combination of evidence-based techniques.
Some of these approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is widely used to treat anxiety disorders. Together, we’ll work to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, reframing them in healthier, more positive ways. Over time, this can reduce harmful responses to triggering situations.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Mindfulness helps increase your self-awareness and keeps you grounded in the present moment. This practice allows you to observe your thoughts without judgment, reducing mental clutter. It also helps you respond to situations rather than reacting impulsively. The result is a clearer mind and better decision-making.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral techniques are especially effective for certain disorders, such as specific phobias. For example, if you’re scared of public speaking, exposure therapy—a type of behavioral intervention—can help you gradually overcome it.
Through anxiety therapy in New York City, I’ll help you take control of your life and celebrate your strengths. As your anxiety therapist, I will provide the tools and support you need to manage your worries and emotions. Over time, you’ll gain the confidence to move through life with greater ease and peace of mind.
Get Started
Take the First Step Toward Therapy for Anxiety in NYC
Looking to start therapy for anxiety in NYC? Opening up to the possibility of healing can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to support you with compassion and understanding.
After a brief screening via Zoom, we’ll discuss your goals and needs. If you feel like we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your first session—right then and there!
Resources
More Ways To Support Your Mental Health
From The Blog
Looking to better understand yourself and what you’re going through? I write about anxiety, depression, trauma, career struggles, perfectionism, and the unique challenges faced by high-achieving professionals.
Explore my latest blog posts for honest reflections and practical perspectives to support your mental health journey.
Read HereFrom The P.O.V. Of A Therapist
Ever wonder what really gets said in a therapist’s office? Candid stories and thoughtful insights from real sessions shared in my Substack, “Notes From a Therapist.” Plus additional resources such as books, podcasts, and videos.
Discover my latest posts and subscribe to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
Visit HereFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have high-functioning anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety isn’t a formal mental health diagnosis, but it describes people who experience anxiety while still maintaining reasonable daily functioning. It refers to people who appear successful and composed on the outside but often feel overwhelmed and drained on the inside. While their anxiety may drive them to excel, it also comes with constant inner pressure, self-doubt, and fear of failure.
High-functioning anxiety can be difficult to identify because, from the outside, it often looks like you’re thriving. When there’s no visible or obvious disruption in your daily life, it’s easy to wonder: Am I really struggling?
As a therapist, I’m trained to recognize the signs of anxiety disorders—even when you question your own experience or dismiss symptoms as things “everyone deals with”.
Common signs of high-functioning anxiety include:
- Constant second-guessing or overthinking.
- Difficulty relaxing or quieting your mind.
- A strong need for rigid routines or control.
- Racing thoughts, often leading to trouble falling asleep or insomnia.
- Fear of saying “no” and a tendency to people-please.
How do you know if a high-achieving person has a “type A” personality or an anxiety disorder?
The best way to understand the difference is by looking at two key areas: your well-being and daily functioning. While some anxiety can fuel your drive, too much can be harmful. When anxiety feels unmanageable and hard to control, it can begin to affect your work, relationships, and even your physical health.
Having a “Type A” personality and an anxiety disorder aren’t mutually exclusive. Some “type A” individuals thrive under pressure and achieve success without overwhelming anxiety or impaired functioning. Others, however, may achieve success but still feel miserable—held back by unrealistic expectations, constant self-criticism, and a fear of failure. They may downplay their accomplishments, compare themselves to others, and feel like they don’t deserve their success—or that it could all vanish at any moment.
So yes, you can be a high-achieving “Type A” personality and still be struggling with an anxiety disorder. If you don’t feel happy, are constantly stressed, and find daily life increasingly difficult, it might be time to seek support.
What can I do to cope with my anxiety?
If you’re struggling with an anxiety disorder, it’s important to understand that proper treatment is necessary to truly overcome it. Anxiety rarely goes away on its own. However, there are small, practical steps you can take to help manage the symptoms and ease some of the distress.
Here are a few helpful tips:
- Start journaling, as it can help you process your thoughts and emotions.
- Stay socially connected; avoid isolating yourself from friends, family, or activities you enjoy.
- When you feel anxious, take a walk or engage in a hobby to shift your focus away from your worries.
- Try meditation or breathing exercises (*).
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, limiting or eliminating caffeine, eating a balanced diet, and practicing good sleep hygiene.
- Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to intentionally care for your mental health.
(*) While meditation and breathing exercises can be helpful, they may not be suitable for those struggling with panic disorder unless guided by a mental health professional.