Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Belleville, NJ.

University studies and media stories warn us that more youth suffer anxiety- related conditions. Bullying, depression, self-destructive behaviors, and substance use among children incrementally increase every few years, reaching younger and younger children. This is why my focus is on creating a safe fun place for kids to discuss and explore theses uncomfortable areas of concern.

While we all live with some degree of anxiety and stress in our lives, there are times when the anxiety and stress levels overwhelm us and our usual ways of coping no longer work. When overwhelmed by stress an anxiety, it is not uncommon to shut down, engage in poor decision making or partake in destructive escape routes. I help clients gain perspective, problem-solve, and find ways to increase support during times of extreme stress, anxiety, loss and disappointment. Clients with whom I work with on issues of anxiety and stress report feeling more hopeful, more capable, reassured and better able to tackle life's challenges and disappointments.

Anxiety therapy is the first line of treatment for unhealthy anxiety. Your therapist can support you to put your mind at ease, recognize and address the patterns that may contribute to your symptoms. Anxiety therapy sessions can also help you identify coping mechanisms to manage anxiety and reclaim your life. You may feel uncomfortable or even anxious about going to therapy. You may think, “this will probably pass… maybe I should just push through it, and things will get better.” Rest assured that you are not alone. Many people have been there. But you don’t have to wait for your anxiety symptoms to get worse or to affect other areas of your life to seek help. We are here to help.

Constant worry, recurrent thoughts that bring about fear, doubt and dread or even moments of overwhelming panic can have a powerful negative impact in your life. These experiences can compel you to engage in safety behaviors, ask others for constant reassurance, and progressively limit your life. Despite your best effort to try to cope, symptoms recur and your mind is never at ease. However, while enlisting the support of and knowledgeable therapist, you will be able to learn strategies that will allow you to regain control and experience joy. My approach uses cognitive behavioral strategies, insight oriented psychotherapy and mindfulness to help you regain the life you deserve.

Every human being faces some degree of anxiety and stress but there are times when their magnitude can become overwhelming and can rob you of your ability to function and enjoy life. Together we will explore the roots of your stress and anxiety, be they relational, job related, or from some other source. I will give you concrete strategies for dealing with them in the moment as well as helping you understand what changes you can make long term whicht will decrease your levels of stress and anxiety.

Life is stressful, especially for teenagers! With my counseling support your teen will learn to regulate their emotions during times of stress and anxiety. Together, we will recognize negative automatic thoughts (cognitive distortions) and practice reframing them into adaptive responses. Your teen will learn that they are in control, not the anxiety and stress. They will learn to ground themselves during times of overwhelm by engaging in techniques that work for them. Your teen will leave our sessions feeling empowered to manage their life stressors in effective and healthy ways.

Anxiety is excessive worry about negative events that you expect to happen, but are not necessarily in the cards. The worry is enough to bring on dread, panic, obsessions, compulsions, and phobias. Usually, early life experiences – perhaps forgotten or suppressed -- taught you to anticipate the worst. Together, we will bring these memories into consciousness so you can consider if they still apply to you in your current life as an adult. This will help you stay more grounded in the reality of the here and now, which can significantly reduce anxious symptoms. I will also teach you calming techniques, including mindfulness practices and self-compassion to counter anxiety when it arises.