Setting goals is the easy part, but consistently moving toward them is hard. To do hard things, you need to increase your distress tolerance.
The goal isn’t to make anxiety go away
(although that’s often our initial reaction)
When you let anxious thoughts and feelings pass through, you build your capacity to do hard things
Anxiety is a universally human emotion
The physical sensations triggered by the lower, more primitive part of the brain called the amygdala are what we typically call anxiety.
Anxiety happens when your body’s alarm system gets triggered
It warns you of danger. When all systems are firing normally, the alarm doesn’t go off often. Even when it does, the feelings, sensations and experience pass well within minutes. It’s temporary.
When anxiety becomes a problem
Sometimes the alarm goes off for things that aren’t emergencies, like saying the wrong thing in a text message or not being able to sleep. You begin to sweat, shake or feel dizzy — and get scared.
You try to avoid the discomfort
Your thoughts spiral into ``what-ifs.`` In response, you do things to get rid of these “bad” sensations. But any relief is temporary, and the anxiety only increases.
There’s a better way
Even if you don't meet criteria for a full disorder, your anxiety can still be problematic and professional help could be useful.
If you’re in Ohio and looking for a licensed therapist, let’s connect.
An approach to anxiety therapy that empowers you
Rather than run from or avoid these uncomfortable sensations, you’ll learn to respond to the experience in a new way. I’ll bring my expertise, experience and education. You’ll bring your willingness, commitment and consistency. Together, you’ll learn and practice how to do things differently.
The techniques are easy to understand but not easy to implement
I believe strongly that the real work happens in between sessions
You’re going to learn how to do the opposite of what your anxiety tells you
We’ll challenge your anxiety
What to expect
I treat adults whose anxious thoughts and feelings are interfering with living life to its fullest. Cognitive behavior therapy is treatment designed to teach you a new way to respond.
And I look forward to the day when you don’t need me anymore — because you’ve mastered a process to stop worrying and start living.
Evidence-Based Treatment
An evidence-based treatment is one whose results are backed by research. It evolves, continually taking into account new studies and new results.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
CBT is the gold standard for generalized anxiety disorder and phobia treatment.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy, in its simplest form, teaches you how to become more psychologically flexible, so you can move toward what’s important to you. It’s a type of CBT.
Are you a parent of a child with anxiety?
While I don’t currently treat children, I am specially trained in treating parents through Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Developed at the Yale School of Medicine’s Child Study Center, SPACE gives parents another option.
If your child has anxiety, you may feel frustrated and exhausted. And if your child doesn’t want to go to therapy, or “doesn’t have time” for it, you can still take action.
Evidence supports that parent skills training is highly effective in addressing the anxiety problem at the family level and is a great alternative, or addition, to individual therapy for your child.
Anxiety Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of anxiety disorders do you treat?
I treat anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, most phobias, and social phobia/social anxiety disorder.
Who do you treat for anxiety disorders?
I currently treat adults living in Ohio. Both in-person and virtual appointments are available. Whether you’ve received a past anxiety diagnosis or are seeking help for the first time, let’s talk.
Do you accept health insurance for anxiety disorder therapy?
I currently accept Medical Mutual SuperMed and SuperMed Plus insurance. I recommend you contact Medical Mutual to confirm eligibility status.
How much do you charge for anxiety disorder therapy?
Please contact me for specific fee information. I accept Medical Mutual insurance, and self-pay clients must pay via credit card.
How long will I need to get treatment for my anxiety disorder?
Each anxiety treatment plan is personalized to the individual. We won’t really know until we meet to discuss your individual situation. To give you a generic time period or number of sessions wouldn’t be accurate, because it depends on multiple factors including (but not limited to) severity of illness, co-occurring disorders and other life stressors that could interfere with treatment progression.
