ANXIETY THERAPY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Does your mind feel like a web of anxious thoughts you can’t unravel?

You’re used to handling things on your own and always doing your best, but lately it feels like too much.

Your brain is always “on.” The list of things on your mind is overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start. It feels impossible to turn off the negative thoughts in your head and just relax. Anxiety puts you in fight-or-flight mode…not to mention the stress you feel when you log in to social media or turn on the news.

You feel tense all the time. 

You notice your thoughts spiraling and playing out worst-case-scenarios. You constantly find yourself saying, “What if something bad happens…?” You overthink even the smallest decisions. It’s difficult to relax and be present in your own life.

Your stomach is in knots.

It’s hard to eat and sleep. It’s hard to concentrate and get things done on a deadline (and you’re usually great getting things done). Lost sleep and just generally feeling awful means you lose your temper with your friends, your partner, your parents, or your kids more easily, and of course, you feel terrible afterwards.

You’re having panic attacks. It comes out of nowhere. Your heart beats too fast. You sweat. It’s hard to breathe. You feel nauseated or lightheaded. You get tunnel vision. It’s a terrible feeling and you dread it happening again, causing you to avoid situations where you might have another attack.

Your inner-critic pops up at these moments, saying things like:

  • “I’m a bad person.”

  • “I’m a failure.”

  • “What if my friends are just being nice?”

  • “Everyone else seems to have it together. I should too. Why is this so hard for me?”

You’ve tried to talk about what’s worrying you with family and friends, but they just tell you to stop worrying so much.

HOW THERAPY FOR ANXIETY WORKS

Feel calmer, more confident, and at ease with yourself and your decisions. Know that you have the knowledge, skills, and insights to manage your anxiety and stress now, and handle whatever comes your way in the future.

Connect

Anxiety can appear in many ways. It may arise due to past occurrences or trauma, current life circumstances, concerns about the future, or a combination of these factors. If you're unsure about the cause, we'll work together to figure it out.

Explore

We will gently explore past events, relationships, present stressors, and future worries that might be contributing to what’s happening now. We will identify what’s working well, and what needs to change.

Discover

You will walk away with new perspectives, new strategies, and new and insights on your anxiety. You will be able to use these strategies both now, and when you leave therapy, setting you up for future success.

Therapy for anxiety can help you

  • identify the root causes of your anxiety and stress

  • stop over-thinking

  • manage stressors in day-to-day life with practical real-life skills

  • decrease and manage panic attacks

  • trust your instincts and trust yourself

  • help you look towards the future with confidence in your choices

  • feel good about putting yourself first

  • get back to enjoying your life

things we can work on...

  • perfectionism

  • relationship anxiety

  • social anxiety

  • over-thinking

  • self-criticism

  • school anxiety

  • life transition stress

  • parenting and family stress

You don’t have to struggle with anxiety alone.

I am here to support you and help you find peace and confidence again.

You’ve got this.

Frequently asked questions about anxiety therapy

  • My approach to the healing process is warm, authentic, and genuine. I use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to explore how your thoughts, feelings, and actions all contribute to anxiety. For example, your anxiety might cause cognitive distortions like catastrophizing (“What if the worst happens?”) and black-and-white thinking (“Either I get a 5.0 GPA or I’ve failed”). Using CBT, you can gently challenge these unhelpful thought patterns and develop new ways of relating to yourself.

  • Whether you take anti-anxiety medication is your decision. Depending on your symptoms, however, I may recommend a medication consult with a psychiatrist, primary care physician, or nurse practitioner. Medication can be helpful when your anxiety is severe and interferes significantly with your life or prevents you from making progress in treatment. You and I can assess the severity of your anxiety and go over all your treatment options together.

  • How long you are in therapy depends your symptoms, how quickly you prorgress, and your personal goals. Some people attend therapy for several months and others can benefit from longer term treatment. Every person is unique.