Stress is typically a response to an external challenge, such as work demands, health concerns, or major life changes. Anxiety is the mind and body's anticipation of future threat or uncertainty and may continue even when the original stressor has passed. While stress often improves once the situation changes, anxiety can persist and begin affecting many areas of daily life.

If anxiety is interfering with your sleep, work, relationships, health, or ability to enjoy life, therapy can help. You don't have to wait until anxiety becomes severe or leads to panic attacks before seeking support.

Anxiety can look different for everyone, but common symptoms include:

• Excessive worry

• Racing thoughts

• Difficulty relaxing

• Feeling constantly on edge

• Panic attacks

• Muscle tension

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sleep problems

• Digestive discomfort

• Avoiding situations because of fear

Yes. Long-term stress can contribute to headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, fatigue, elevated blood pressure, and changes in immune function. Therapy can help reduce the impact of chronic stress by teaching practical skills for nervous system regulation and stress management.

Absolutely. Anxiety often affects both the mind and body. Many people experience a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, stomach discomfort, muscle tension, trembling, or feeling "keyed up." These symptoms are real and reflect how the nervous system responds to perceived threat.

We work with individuals experiencing:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Panic attacks and panic disorder

• Social anxiety

• Health anxiety

• Perfectionism

• Performance anxiety

• Stress-related anxiety

• Anxiety associated with chronic pain or health conditions

Treatment is always tailored to your unique experiences and goals.

Therapy helps you understand the patterns that maintain anxiety while learning new ways to respond to difficult thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Together, we'll build practical skills to reduce overwhelm, increase resilience, and help your nervous system become more flexible and responsive.

Depending on your needs, treatment may incorporate:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

• Somatic approaches

• Nervous system regulation skills

• Mindfulness practices

• Biofeedback

• Psychoeducation

• Experiential techniques

Every treatment plan is individualized.

Yes. Burnout often develops when chronic stress exceeds your capacity to recover. Therapy can help you identify contributing factors, establish healthier boundaries, reconnect with your values, and develop sustainable strategies for managing stress without sacrificing your well-being.

No. While mindfulness can be a valuable tool, it is only one option for treatment. Therapy is tailored to your preferences, goals, and comfort level. If mindfulness is incorporated, it will be introduced gradually and in a way that feels practical and accessible.

Yes. Overthinking often develops as the brain's attempt to prevent uncertainty or solve problems. Therapy helps you recognize these patterns, respond differently to anxious thoughts, and spend less time caught in cycles of worry and rumination.

Yes. We provide virtual therapy for anxiety and stress for clients in Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, and Colorado (North Carolina coming soon), as well as in-person appointments in Bethesda, Maryland.