Therapy for Anxiety
Anxiety is rooted in the brain's protective mechanisms, evolving to keep us safe from danger. However, the way anxiety and panic symptoms take control over our thoughts and leave us feeling distressed as to when symptoms are going to show up next, can feel far from helpful.
Anxiety can be very physical (increased heart-rate, difficulty breathing, sweating, fixating on a health concern) and/or psychological (racing thoughts, uncontrollable worry, fear something awful might happen), and can impact our functioning, sleep, relationships, mindset and well-being.​
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But, did you know that we understand where anxiety comes from in the brain and how to control it more than most other mental health conditions?
It's true, we do! We also understand how to communicate with these parts of the brain and help calm our nervous system to reduce this protective response. So, whether your anxiety is related to stress/ overwhelm, traumatic experiences, grief, health concerns, specific phobias, relationships, or life transitions- I am ready to help you.
What is Anxiety?
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, like when they have a big event or a tough conversation coming up, but this feeling can show up too often for some people. Sometimes the brain gets stuck in overdrive and can begin sending false "alarms" about everyday situations, leaving you feeling restless, tense, and overwhelmed. It is almost as if your mind is holding down a panic button, even though nothing urgent is happening—making it hard to feel calm and in control. Instead it's not uncommon to experience:
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Constantly feeling stuck in a loop of worry that is difficult to interrupt or redirect
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Feeling restless or on edge, struggling to relax
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Having a difficult time falling asleep or waking in the night because your mind is active
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Physical signs like a racing heart, upset stomach, headaches, or tight muscles
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People with anxiety often feel like they have to be prepared for every possible problem, even things that are unlikely to happen, and it drains energy we would rather spend on our passions, relationships, goals, growth, and self.
Types of Anxiety I Help Treat
Generalized Anxiety ​
Generalized Anxiety is when persistent worry and racing thoughts take over, even when there’s no clear reason to feel anxious. It can feel like your brain is constantly scanning for problems. People with Generalized Anxiety often struggle to relax, can experience physical symptoms, and find it hard to enjoy the moment because they’re always bracing for “what if” scenarios.​
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Health Anxiety​
Health anxiety involves persistent worry about having or developing a serious medical condition, even when tests show no issues. People with health anxiety may frequently check their bodies for symptoms, seek reassurance from doctors or loved ones, and struggle to stop catastrophic thinking about their health. This constant worry is intense and scary, making it hard to feel calm or trust that the body is functioning as it should.
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Social Anxiety​
Social anxiety involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social or performance situations. People with social anxiety may avoid interactions all together, worry for days before events, or replay conversations afterward with fears they did something wrong. This can make it hard to connect with others, leading to isolation and interfering with personal or professional life.​
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Panic ​
Panic involves sudden and intense surges of fear -known as panic attacks- that can feel overwhelming and come without warning. These episodes are often accompanied by physical symptoms (such as: racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sense of losing control). People who experience panic may start avoiding certain places or situations, worried that another attack might happen, which can interfere with daily life and can also increase anxiety symptoms in general.​
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Specific Phobias​
Specific phobias are intense, irrational fears of particular objects, situations, or activities—like heights, shots, spiders, or flying—that go beyond typical caution. Even thinking about the feared thing may trigger overwhelming anxiety or physical symptoms. People with specific phobias often go out of their way to avoid their triggers, which can affect their quality of life.
A few things we know:
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Anxiety mainly stems from our amygdala, which doesn't process language. This is why it isn't always helpful when we try to "reason with" or talk ourselves through our anxious thoughts
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The anxious part of our brain is more effectively calmed with specific coping skills and tools that allow the calming side of our nervous system to re-activate, as well as strategies that help us challenge and fact-check anxious thoughts
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The anxious part of the brain is very capable of learning thanks to neuroplasticity- we can rewire it to be less activated, to calm faster, and that we are in control through evidence-based approaches
How I can help:
First of all, I get it. I'm no stranger to anxiety and know how terrible it feels! In fact, my own difficulties with anxiety symptoms led me to learn everything I could- including where anxiety originates in the brain, what triggers it, what types of coping tools it responds best to, and how we can reduce symptoms without medication.
Not only have I taken extra courses and training to understand exactly what is happening in our brain when we are experiencing anxiety, but I've spent years learning the most effective way to teach this information to others. In addition to being a fully licensed therapist, I am also a fully Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), respected expert in the field, and my passion is helping people -just like you!- overcome their symptoms and reclaim control over their lives.
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I don't believe "one size fits all", so I utilize multiple approaches to help clients address their anxiety symptoms:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I will help you better navigate your anxiety by identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns that fuel anxious feelings. Through our work together, you can expect to:
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Understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to gain more control over anxious reactions
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Learn about what is happening in the anxious part of the brain and why is it activated
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Identify and address negative thoughts patterns that fuel anxiety and keep you stuck in fight/ flight/ freeze
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Utilize cognitive tools that can help you evaluate, challenge, and redirect anxious thoughts
This evidence-based approach will empower you to break the cycle of anxiety and gain greater control over your responses and thoughts. Our work together will also consider coping strategies, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes that can prevent anxiety from building up again.
Solution-Focused Therapy
When anxiety takes over, it can feel like life is spinning out of control. Regardless of what type of anxiety you are facing, solution-focused therapy helps by shifting attention from what's overwhelming to what can be done.
Instead of focusing solely on our negative thought patterns and responses, Solution-Focused Therapy focuses on positive change and growth. If this interests you, we will work together to identify small, achievable steps that create positive change right away. This approach empowers you to recognize your strengths, set realistic goals, and develop practical strategies to manage stress in the moment. Over time, solution-focused therapy allows you to build confidence, feel more in control, and learn how to respond to anxious thoughts with clarity and action, rather than fear.
Mind-Body Approaches
I have also come to deeply appreciate that in order to adjust our thinking, we must acknowledge that anxiety is a feeling- and that feelings are held and felt in our bodies. Through my work with Somatic Parts and Mindfulness, I will empower you to explore where you are holding stress in your nervous system, strengthen your mind-body connection, and increase your awareness of patterns, habits, or stories that are both helpful and harmful in your life.
While the mechanisms of anxiety are similar for all of us, the experiences and circumstances that led to your symptoms are unique. I will treat you like the individual that you are, utilize the approach and tools that work best for you, and help you feel in control again.
Gut-Brain Awareness
As a Certified Mental Health Nutrition Specialist, I continue to be amazed by how impactful our gut's functioning is on our mental health. If you are interested, I am proud to be able to offer information about how certain foods/ aspects of nutrition (like fiber!) can be incredibly helpful for reducing anxiety symptoms, as well as how others (like caffeine or foods high in sugar) can activate symptoms. By making intentional changes, you can enhance your emotional resilience and improve your overall well-being, complementing therapeutic approaches.
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Ultimately, you're a whole person and I am proud to be able to support your full mind-body connection.