Dr. Sylvia Gindy, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Tal Gershon, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Valerie Graf, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Flor Villagrán, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Adeyemi Aladenika, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Are you overwhelmed by your anxiety? Is anxiety stopping you from achieving your goals and dreams, or simply from experiencing peace in your daily life?
If you feel like your anxiety is in the driver’s seat of your mind, you aren’t alone. This is a very common struggle for our patients at Looking Glass NYC. Luckily, you can treat anxiety take the wheel back. There are various ways to re-establish control over your thoughts, your mind, and your life through specialized anxiety therapy at Looking Glass NYC.
Our mental health professionals are a group of experienced anxiety therapists in New York City dedicated to helping individuals like yourself identify realistic objectives, develop practical strategies, and break free of their mental health struggles.
You don’t have to endure discomfort of anxiety alone; join us as we guide you toward becoming the best possible version of yourself!
At Looking Glass Psychology, you are welcome to explore who you are and grow in a relaxed, approachable environment with your anxiety therapist—regardless of how you feel, where you came from, or what you believe. If you’d like to learn how therapy can help you feel less anxious and enable you to live your best life, take a look at the information we outlined below and book a free phone consultation with us today.
Signs You May Need Help with Your Anxiety
If you feel like your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. There are plenty of signs that can indicate an anxiety therapist would be beneficial in helping you learn how to manage your symptoms.
- Firstly, if you are feeling overwhelmed by strong emotions such as fear or worry on a regular basis and it is affecting your ability to function in everyday situations, then you may need anxiety therapy.
- Feeling constantly tense or agitated, having racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping, and avoiding certain situations due to fear of anxiousness could also indicate that you need professional help for better understanding and management of your anxiety.
- Additionally, if physical symptoms such as nausea or dizziness accompany these feelings, then seeking out anxiety therapy may be beneficial for you.
It is important to remember that everyone experiences different levels of anxiety in different situations. If you experience intense levels of stress while participating in common activities of life—such as going to work, being with friends and family, or grocery shopping— this could also be an indication that you need professional help to manage your anxiety.
Please keep in mind that anxiety therapy can help anyone who might be suffering from mild to severe symptoms of anxiety. Even if you don’t relate with or haven’t experienced any of the symptoms such as those listed above, it doesn’t mean that anxiety therapy isn’t for you.
Anxiety therapy can help you learn tools and techniques to manage anxious thoughts and emotions effectively. To understand whether anxiety therapy may be your ideal treatment, contact the caring counselors at Looking Glass NYC.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can affect people in many different ways. It is a common emotion characterized by feelings of apprehension, fear, and worry. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and separation anxiety.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by excessive worrying and tension that can interfere with daily activities. It is often identified by feeling overly worried about everyday events or situations that may be out of the individual’s control. Possible causes include genetics or a traumatic event or experience. Common symptoms may include feeling on edge, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension and headaches.
- Panic disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks which arise unexpectedly in times of distress or discomfort. Panic attacks are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and extreme fear or terror. The causes of panic disorder vary but may include genetics, changes in neurotransmitter levels or psychological factors such as stress or trauma.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): SAD is marked by an intense fear of social interaction for fear of embarrassment or judgement from others. People with SAD will avoid situations which may trigger their fears like going to parties or speaking in public places. Common physical symptoms of SAD may include blushing when speaking in front of others and difficulty making eye contact during conversations. Possible causes may include environmental factors such as family dynamics or genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is associated with unwanted thoughts called obsessions that lead to behavioral compulsions focused on reducing the intrusive thinking caused by the obsession. This behavior can become ritualistic and interfere with an individual’s ability to function normally day-to-day life tasks. The cause of OCD remains unknown, but experts believe it could develop due to genetics, or environmental factors such as being exposed to stressful situations over time resulting in abnormal brain circuitry.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD occurs after someone has been involved in a traumatic event such as combat exposure, physical assault, sexual abuse, serious accidents, political violence as well as experiencing natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and more. PTSD can also occur if a person close to you has experienced such events. Some possible risk factors for this condition include genetics and biology where chemical differences in your body prevent you from coping well with traumatic events.
To treat trauma and manage these symptoms individuals, it’s important to seek behavioral therapy and potentially consider medication therapy. Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, intense fear or phobias surrounding certain situations, and avoidance of certain thoughts, memories, ideas, situations, or places. Some people with PTSD are also prone to dissociation. - Phobias: Phobias involve irrational fears associated with specific objects or situations. In these cases, any contact or exposure will drive intense emotions leading people away from facing their fears. These fears may link back to some kind past experiences, but it’s not mandatory for one be aware why they are scared of certain things. Common phobias include a fear of heights, animals, public speaking, darkness, small spaces, loud noises, germs, needles, thunderstorms, water, heights, flying, and more. Treatment of phobias usually involves exposure therapy along side medication therapy, depending on severity need case term administration course medication process.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD): SAD involves distress experienced when away from familiar people, such as parents, guardians, primary caregivers, siblings, friends, or romantic partners, along with difficulty adapting new environments due having strong insecure attachment individuals mentioned above. Symptoms might range increased crying, clinging, regular refusal to leave family members, sleep disturbances, stomach aches, tiredness, and more. This anxiety condition typically impacts children aged 5 – 12. There isn’t one known cause of this condition, however insufficient or unhealthy attachment figures during developmental stages could trigger onset this condition. Therapeutic interventions, calming strategies, distraction techniques, and psychoeducation are all important aspects in the successful treatment of SAD.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that present with a range of symptoms, including fear, worry, apprehension, and physical manifestations (such as panic attacks). It’s important to note that the symptoms of anxiety can vary greatly between individuals, or may even fluctuate within an individual as their circumstances change.
For example, someone with social anxiety disorder may experience different symptoms during a public speaking engagement as opposed to when playing video games online in the comfort of their bedroom.
It is also possible for someone to have more than one type of anxiety disorder at any given time. This is known as comorbidity and can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics or environmental issues. For example, a person who has both OCD and phobias may experience different levels of anxiety depending on the situation or setting they are in. The severity and manifestation of symptoms can also vary over time due to changes in life circumstances like job loss or major life transitions.
Anxiety disorders can manifest in a variety of ways, and it is important to be aware of the signs that someone may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Here are some common signs:
- Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Panic, fear, and uneasiness
- Feelings of panic, doom, or danger
- Sleep problems
- Not being able to stay calm and relaxed
- Excessive worrying
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Tense muscles
When managing anxiety disorders, it’s critical to understand each individual’s unique set of symptoms since treatment plans need to be tailored accordingly. Therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or talk therapy, provide a means to better understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviour interact in order to manage the condition effectively.
Medication can also play an important role in someone’s recovery from an anxiety disorder, if deemed necessary by a doctor or psychiatrist. Ultimately the goal of seeking mental health treatment for anxiety is to focus on calming techniques while creating meaningful alterations in one’s lifestyle that will help reduce their overall stress levels and aid with symptom management moving forward.
Who Can Develop an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorders can affect people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Though anyone can develop an anxiety disorder at any time in their life, certain factors can put an individual at higher risk.
These risk factors include a family history of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, medical issues such as chronic illnesses, trauma from accidents or abuse, drug and alcohol use, and more. Additionally, life stressors and large life changes such as divorce or job loss can also trigger anxiety symptoms in those who may be more vulnerable.
No matter your age or background, a mental health provider can help you overcome your struggles with anxiety.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
Anxiety can often have a profound effect on both the body and mind. Physically, anxiety can cause nausea, racing heart, shallow breathing, trembling, and sweating. These physical symptoms are caused by the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol as your body prepares for “fight or flight” response.
Mentally and emotionally, anxiety can feel like an intense sense of fear or dread that is difficult to shake off or control. You may find yourself ruminating over negatively charged thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to focus on the present moment.
Often, those with anxiety will experience difficulty sleeping and a sense of being overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It is not uncommon to also experience a lack of motivation or energy due to mental exhaustion associated with constant worrying and anxious thoughts. Overall, anxiety can be a debilitating condition that affects both your physical and mental wellbeing if left untreated.
Anxiety & Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety and other mental health conditions can exist together in what is known as comorbidity. Co-occurring mental health conditions exist when two or more mental disorders are present at the same time.
When anxiety exists with another mental disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder, it’s referred to as co-existing anxiety. Co-existing anxiety can increase the severity of symptoms and have a significant impact on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can also complicate the diagnosis process and treatment plan since the root cause of both disorders will need to be addressed.
As an example, a person who experiences both depression and anxiety may find themselves overthinking or ruminating over negative thoughts more often or for longer periods of time. In this case, a patient may experience an increased risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation due to intense sadness combined with anxiousness about their future.
Treatment plans that incorporate methods from both CBT (typical talk therapy) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are often recommended for those experiencing co-existing anxiety alongside other mental health conditions.
Evidence-Based Therapy Types for Anxiety Disorders
Looking Glass NYC uses evidence-based therapies to help you recover from your anxiety disorder and other mental health conditions. We may use a variety of different types of evidence-based therapies to achieve your goals, or even mix them and blend them to suit your learning style, personality, and personal needs.
Evidence-based therapies approved and available for people suffering from different types of anxiety disorders include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based approach that focuses on identifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to the symptoms of anxiety. CBT is what some people refer to as the most traditional type of “talk therapy” and helps individuals learn how to recognize their thoughts and feelings associated with anxiousness and then replace them with more positive ones.
Exposure Therapy is another evidence-based approach which involves gradually exposing the individual to the source of their fear in order to reduce their level of distress when confronted with it in real life situations. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts without judgment while committing to taking action towards values that will lead to a more meaningful life despite the presence of difficult emotions such as fear or anxiousness.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based approach that combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices in order to help individuals regulate their emotions better.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based approach which teaches individuals how to be mindful in order to reduce stress levels associated with anxiousness.
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on understanding unconscious processes as they relate to current behavior while Interpersonal Therapy focuses on improving communication skills within relationships in order to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety.
Medication therapy is also available (and effective) for treating anxiety disorders; however, Looking Glass NYC cannot prescribe medication but can work in tandem with your prescribing psychiatrist to develop a synergistic treatment plan for you. If you’re looking to work with a doctor who could assess your need for anxiety-relieving medication, we’d be happy to refer you to some of the colleagues we trust most.
About Anxiety Therapy at Looking Glass NYC
At Looking Glass NYC, we understand that everyone experiences anxiety differently and for different reasons. That’s why our therapists take a tailored and customized approach when creating treatment plans to help you manage and reduce your anxiety symptoms. We work closely you to assess your specific needs and goals and create a treatment plan based on these factors.
At Looking Glass NYC, we strive to provide accessible mental health services that are both affordable and tailored specifically to you. Our experienced team of professionals will work with you every step of the way while creating an individualized plan that can help you manage your anxiety symptoms and develop skills to cope with them more effectively.
FAQs
What should I expect from my first therapy session?
During your first session, your therapist will ask you questions to get to know you and understand your reasons for coming to therapy. Your therapist will want to learn about your history, what’s going on with you now, and learn about what you want to get out of therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask them questions about how therapy works so you know what to expect.
How long will I be in therapy for?
The amount of time therapy takes is different for each person. If you’re dealing with a short-term stressor that you want resolved, that will typically take less time than a problem you’ve been dealing with for a long while. For some, therapy is short-term, taking just a few months until they are satisfied with their progress. For others, therapy will become a part of their routine, helping them manage ongoing concerns in their life and having a safe outlet for them to explore themselves, their patterns, and understand themselves on a deeper level.
Virtual therapy: How does it work?
With the rise in virtual therapy, it makes sense to want to know more about how it works. Research shows that virtual therapy has the same benefits as therapy that takes place face-to-face. Virtual therapy is an effective way to fit therapy into your busy schedule, as it allows you to talk to your therapist in the comfort of your own home. With virtual therapy, you avoid the hurdles that can happen with face-to-face appointments, such as scheduling conflicts, traffic, and travel time. In order to make the most of your virtual session, meet with your therapist in a private space in your home and have a good internet connection.
How do I pick the right therapist for me?
You’ve decided to take that next step and start therapy, and it can feel overwhelming to decide on a therapist. That’s why we offer a complimentary consultation call with a Looking Glass Intake Coordinator to help you make an informed choice. Every therapist has different strengths and styles that they bring to sessions. When you are in the process of selecting a therapist, talk to your coordinator about what you want to get out of therapy so you can rest assured that you are matched with the right person for you. After all, therapy is all about creating a space where you feel comfortable to open up, so finding a therapist that you click with is the first step on your journey!
How do I know if therapy is working?
Starting from your first session, you and your therapist will talk about what you want to get out of therapy. You may come in with a very specific goal or you may use therapy as a space to talk about ongoing events in your life. Regardless of your therapy goals, your therapist will create a comfortable space for you to talk about how therapy is going so you are both on the same page about the process. Ultimately, you will get more out of therapy if you are willing to put more into it. Growth takes place when you are willing to reflect on yourself and take what you are learning during sessions out into the world with you. Below are a few signs of progress that clients typically note:
- You start noticing that your symptoms (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc.) are less frequent or intense than before.
- You’re able to function better at work, school, or in your personal relationships.
- You start to find that you have a better understanding of yourself, your feelings, and your behaviors. You’ve gained insights and are making connections that you didn’t make before.
- You might be using new coping skills that you’ve learned in therapy and they’re helping in your daily life.
- People close to you may tell you that they have noticed positive changes.
Do you accept my health insurance?
Looking Glass Psychology is Out-of-Network with health insurances. If you have an Out-of-Network or PPO insurance plan, your insurance will refund a large portion of each session, as long as you have met your Out-of-Network deductible. After each appointment, we’ll supply you with a receipt called a superbill or reimbursement form. To submit for a partial refund, simply log into your health insurance portal to enter the information listed on your superbill. If you have an Out-of-Network plan and have met your Out-of-Network deductible, your health plan will mail the partial refund in the form of a check to your home a few weeks after each appointment. Questions? Email info@LookingGlassNYC.com or chat with us live during business hours by clicking the “Message Us” button on this page.
When can I book an appointment with you?
Your appointment request is our top priority, so we’ll get you on the schedule as soon as possible – no waitlists, and no hassle. Many of our clinicians offer both in-person and video appointments in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, or even weekends. To request an appointment, click the following link: https://lookingglassnyc.clientsecure.me or chat with us live during business hours by texting (646) 350-2202. Prefer a phone call? Contact us today by calling (646) 760-3399.