What anxiety can look like
Anxiety doesn't always look like panic. More often it's quiet and constant: replaying conversations, over-preparing, saying yes when you mean no, or lying awake at 2 a.m. running through tomorrow. Some of the things people bring to me include:
- Persistent worry that's hard to switch off, even when things are objectively fine
- Racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, or feeling "wired but tired"
- Physical tension: tight chest, clenched jaw, stomach trouble, restless sleep
- Perfectionism, overthinking, and a harsh inner critic
- Social anxiety, or dreading meetings, events, and small talk
- Work stress that follows you home and won't let go
- Avoiding things you actually care about because the fear feels bigger
If any of that sounds familiar, you're in the right place. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people reach out to me, and one of the most responsive to good therapy.
How I work with anxiety
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-informed practices. Rather than treating anxiety as something to simply suppress, we get curious about it. Drawing on Internal Family Systems (IFS) principles, we'll look at the anxious part of you as something that's trying, in its own way, to keep you safe, and we'll help it learn that it doesn't have to work so hard.
Alongside that, I bring in somatic and body-based tools for calming the nervous system in the moment, DBT-informed skills for emotional regulation, and attachment-based work for the anxiety that shows up in relationships. I am trauma-informed and hold that lens throughout, because anxiety often has roots worth understanding.
The goal isn't a life with zero worry. It's a life where anxiety stops making your decisions for you: where you can notice it, understand it, and move forward anyway.
What to expect
We start with a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions and get a feel for how I work. If it feels like a good fit, our first full session is a relaxed intake where we explore what's bringing you in and what you'd like to be different.
Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or biweekly, and held online via secure, HIPAA-compliant video so you can meet from wherever feels comfortable. Many people notice a shift within the first several weeks: more space between a worry and their reaction to it, and more steadiness in their body.
I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) practicing under approved clinical supervision in Washington State, with additional training in trauma-informed care and life coaching. Sessions are $150 for 50 minutes; I'm an out-of-network provider and provide monthly superbills for possible insurance reimbursement.