anxiety therapy for teens and adults in Massachusetts

Anxiety does not look the same for everyone. It may show up as persistent worry or overthinking, physical symptoms, avoidance, perfectionism, or a strong need for certainty or reassurance. Overwhelming anxiety can interfere with relationships, school, work, and everyday life. Anxiety can be especially challenging when these patterns begin to limit the things you want to do or prevent you from feeling fully present in your life.

Some common experiences include:

• Excessive worry about everyday situations or future events
• Overthinking or difficulty quieting your mind
• Fear of making mistakes or disappointing others
• Perfectionism and setting unrealistically high expectations for yourself
• Avoiding situations that cause anxiety or discomfort
• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or not knowing what will happen
• Panic attacks or intense physical symptoms of anxiety
• Difficulty making decisions because of fear of making the “wrong” choice
• Seeking reassurance from others to feel more certain or in control
• Feeling overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations

Anxiety therapy can help you understand the thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that may be keeping anxiety going. We will work to better understand the patterns that contribute to anxiety, develop practical skills for managing difficult thoughts and emotions, and build greater confidence in your ability to navigate uncertainty and situations that may feel uncomfortable.

The goal is not to eliminate all anxiety, but to help you feel less controlled by it so that you can engage more fully with the people, activities, and experiences that matter to you.

Depending on your individual needs and goals, therapy may involve learning to:

• Recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns
• Reduce avoidance and other behaviors that reinforce anxiety
• Develop greater tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
• Approach situations that have become difficult or frightening
• Manage intense emotions and physical symptoms of anxiety
• Build more flexible and compassionate ways of responding to yourself
• Develop greater confidence in your ability to cope with difficult situations

Because every client is different, I take an individualized approach to treatment, drawing from multiple evidence-based modalities to best support your unique needs, goals, and presenting concerns. We will collaboratively determine which therapeutic approaches and strategies are most appropriate for your presenting concerns and goals. Treatment may evolve over time as your needs change and you develop new skills.

Depending on your individual needs, treatment may draw from:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety and develop more helpful ways of responding.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility and learning to make meaningful choices even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present.

Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy can help reduce avoidance and build confidence by gradually approaching situations, sensations, or experiences that have become associated with fear or anxiety.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT provides practical skills for mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and navigating intense emotions.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness can help you develop greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without automatically reacting to them.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS can provide a framework for understanding different internal experiences and developing greater self-compassion and curiosity toward anxious parts of yourself.

If anxiety is interfering with your ability to feel present, confident, or engaged in your life, therapy can provide a supportive space to understand what you’re experiencing and develop new ways of responding. I offer a complimentary 45-minute consultation to learn more about your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether we may be a good fit.