Therapist for Anxiety in NYC
Hi my name is Heather Clifford (she/her) and I’m a therapist for anxiety in NYC, serving all of New York State via online therapy.
You may be feeling stuck because you are constantly overthinking. It might be hard for you to make decisions because you’re concerned about what others will think of you. Sometimes you may even avoid answering text messages because you are worried you will be misunderstood. Anxiety like that often leaves you feeling frustrated and negatively about yourself.
I help the people I work with learn how to feel secure with themselves, even when they feel like people are judging them or their decisions lead to other people getting upset.
If you’re ready to start creating a life that brings you joy and confidence, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.
My approach as a therapist for anxiety in NYC.
Anxiety can make decisions feel impossible. It may start in our thoughts but it also affects our bodies (hello - headaches, stomach aches, tense muscles, fatigue) and it impacts our relationships with friends, partners, and ourselves. You can know that your anxious thoughts aren’t facts, but it won’t stop your mind from jumping to the worst case scenario or worrying what other people are going to think about you. It’s extremely challenging to live “in the moment” when your mind is already ten steps ahead of you.
I can help you learn how to put anxiety in the back seat instead of letting it be the driver of your life. In order to do this I focus on what is important to you, figure out what you are avoiding, and then use a wide range of skills to help you start living a life guided by your values, instead of your anxious thoughts.
It is important for me to take the time to get to know my clients and assess what is going on with you. My approach is individualized, collaborative, and goal oriented. We will utilize a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT utilizes mindfulness strategies and exposure therapy in ways which are proven to help people with anxiety. This type of anxiety disorder treatment is interactive and hands-on. I’ll ask you to do activities in sessions and help you to implement what you learn outside of sessions.
Why ACT?
The goal of ACT is to help you create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the inevitable pain that arises along the way. I feel passionately about this approach because it normalizes experiencing all emotions including sadness, anxiety, and anger. ACT teaches you skills to help you be more present for the beauty and joy that life has to offer while helping you to manage the unavoidable pain and suffering.
Intentionally Inclusive and Socially Conscious
Another important aspect of my practice is recognizing the impact of systems of oppression on mental health (white supremacy, racism, ableism, homophobia, and fatphobia to name just a few). These forces of institutionalized bias are ingrained in our culture and therefore have some influence on everything in our lives, including having a huge impact on mental health. Even within a therapist-client relationship, complex dynamics of power and privilege come into play. I work hard to acknowledge how these forces affect myself and my clients, and I am always open to discuss and explore these topics.
I believe my clients are capable of living a rich and meaningful life. My job is to help guide you there. If it feels like your anxiety comes out of nowhere, gets in the way of your life, or is just an annoyance to you, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation.
Anxiety Disorder Treatment FAQs
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Both stress and anxiety can lead to difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, insomnia and fatigue. Although stress and anxiety have similar symptoms their causes are different. Often with stress the problem is external. For example you have an important work deadline or someone in your family is sick.
Anxiety can be related to external problems but it’s true source is internal - even when the stressors go away you still experience symptoms. You may feel like you never get a break from your worries no matter what is going on in your life.
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Most people experience anxiety throughout their life. Anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations. If your anxiety is getting in the way of you connecting with others, impacting you physically (fatigue, difficulty sleeping, muscle pain, and digestive trouble), or stopping you from living the life you want, it is often helpful to get extra support from a therapist.
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Anxiety is often broken down into different categories. These include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, post traumatic stress, panic, and agoraphobia. A therapist can help determine what type of anxiety you have and then recommend an appropriate treatment.
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Research shows a link between anxiety and depression symptoms. Often, if people start to feel relief from their anxiety their depression symptoms can also improve. A lot of times it is helpful to also see a psychiatric practitioner to explore medication options. If you are unsure if you are depressed be sure to share how you are feeling with your therapist.