Managing Anxiety and Stress

Feel calmer, grounded, and back in control

If you were on that sailboat pictured above, you’d probably be planning how to handle what’s coming. Stress and anxiety can actually be beneficial in this way. They’re signals that something needs our attention. They can motivate us to prepare, act, or make changes before the storm hits.

But sometimes, even on a sunny day, our minds start thinking about storms from the past or imagining ones that might come in the future. When worry starts to take over and affect daily life, that’s when anxiety and stress become more than helpful alerts. That’s where therapy can help.

Many people come to see me because they’re tired of feeling stuck in worry or tension they can’t seem to shake.

As psychologist David Burns describes it, “Anxiety is a person’s specific reaction to stress; its origin is internal.” It often presents as a persistent feeling of apprehension or dread – even when nothing is actually wrong.

Therapy helps manage stress and anxiety.

I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients learn to manage anxiety and stress effectively.

CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach that connects how our thoughts, emotions, and actions all influence one another. It helps you recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, such as “what if” spirals or imagining worst-case scenarios, and replace them with calmer, more balanced ways of thinking.

Over time, CBT also helps you gently confront situations you may have been avoiding, allowing your confidence to grow and your fear to lessen. Together, we’ll work on breaking the cycle that keeps anxiety going and build tools that help you feel more in control.

DBT, which evolved from CBT, places a greater emphasis on emotional regulation and relationship skills. It emphasizes mindfulness, learning to tolerate distress without making things worse, and communicating more effectively. Together, they’re powerful tools for building calm, confidence, and emotional resilience.

Therapy can help with common forms of anxiety.

With these tools, I can help clients with chronic worry or rumination and specific fears.

What are the signs associated with anxiety?

You might notice that you feel restless, tense, or on edge. Perhaps you find it difficult to focus or sleep and feel irritable.

You may experience physical sensations such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, or chest tightness.

These are all common experiences, and you can manage them.

Anxiety and stress don’t have to run your life. With the right tools and support, you can regain calm, confidence, and a greater sense of ease.