Anxiety and Depression
We’ve all been there…
Unexpected losses of a job, a relationship, or the life of a loved one, challenging events or situations, or feeling as though things just aren’t going our way… they can leave us feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed.
You may feel stressed all the time. And while you’re able to keep up with your responsibilities, the ongoing anxiety and depression have left you exhausted and questioning yourself and your decisions.
Or maybe feelings of self-doubt have caused you to become increasingly sensitive or defensive when disagreements arise, leading to more arguments or greater distance between you and your loved ones.
Some can recover quickly, but not everyone.
For some, fear, sadness, and self-doubt have left them questioning themselves and the world around them.
Overwhelming doubts and worries may be making it hard to sleep at night or get out of bed in the morning.
As fear and anxiety interfere more and more with your life, you may begin to question why you just can’t be calm and self-assured like everybody else.
Knowing when to seek help…
When anxiety and depression interfere with your everyday life and relationships, it may be time to seek help.
Getting ready for the day seems like a harrowing event, and you wonder how you’ll get through it.
Socializing with others, something you previously enjoyed, seems impossible and unappealing now.
You no longer have the same concentration or focus for your schooling, your work, your kids, or your relationships. Life just isn’t “working.”
Dina* was a young mother of two small children. Life was too overwhelming. In addition to caring for her children, she was also the main breadwinner with a full-time, demanding job.
Recently, she began experiencing panic attacks that left her frozen and unable to function for a couple of hours after. Her inability to cope the way she thought she “should be” left her feeling down on herself and feeling that she isn’t “good enough.”
She came into treatment sharing that she couldn’t stop crying and knew it was time to get help.
This is how a professional makes a difference…
Turning to friends and family members for support may offer temporary relief, but they often aren’t qualified to help you get to the root of the issue. And any relief gained in addressing the symptoms can be short-lived if you aren’t addressing the cause.
I strive to provide a comfortable and safe environment where you can start to understand the root cause of your anxiety or depression without fear of judgment. I meet you where you are in your journey, and I connect with you according to your specific needs and goals. Many of my clients tell me they feel a sense of relief just from having a safe space where they can finally give themselves permission to feel the way they do.
Our first few sessions will be all about getting to know you and helping you see that you aren’t in this alone. In many ways, therapy for anxiety and depression is like talking to a good friend – a friend who can ask deeper questions and help you understand yourself and the situation in a way you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
I’m here to help you get to the root of the issue.
In therapy, I’ll help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, learn the skills you need to alleviate symptoms of depression or anxiety, boost confidence, gain emotional freedom, and live your best life.
Together, we will explore your current situation, symptoms, and feelings. Often our facts and feelings are jumbled, and we have difficulty sorting out what we are feeling and why. By verbalizing your story, getting feedback and clarification, you will first gain a clear picture of what is going on for you. This alone can provide a sense of relief and a feeling of being understood.
Anxiety is often a learned response to situations that are uncomfortable. Many people have difficulty with emotions such as anger, or helplessness, or deep sadness. When confronted with situations that would evoke such feelings, the go-to response becomes anxiety.
Uncovering deeper feelings…
In therapy, you will learn to uncover the deeper feelings that are hidden beneath the surface and learn to focus on and experience them rather than automatically feeling anxious.
We will also work on noticing patterns of interactions or behaviors that negatively impact you. Once aware of these patterns, therapy can help guide you to new and more adaptive behaviors.
Knowledge is power. When you know why you do the things you do and feel the things you feel, you have the power to create change.
When you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and why you feel anxious or depressed, you’ll start experiencing a greater sense of relief and confidence.
And when you have the freedom to feel all of your emotions – even anger, fear, and sadness – you can understand the role they play in your life instead of viewing them as an unwanted part of yourself.
My goal is to give you the support, resources, awareness, insight, and practical skills you need to find meaningful and lasting relief.
Therapy that’s backed by science…
Throughout our work together, I’ll incorporate a variety of scientifically supported treatment modalities to understand and address your anxiety or depression, including psychodynamic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Psychodynamic therapy and IFS allow you to better understand how the anxiety or depression came about and what you can do to redefine your relationship with that part of yourself. Anxiety is a bit like talking to a child in the middle of a temper tantrum: If you just ignore it, it will only shout louder. My goal is to help you learn how to talk to that part of yourself, so you can see the help it provides and calm anxious thinking when it starts interfering with your life.
CBT can help you identify and challenge harmful thoughts, so you can process feelings of fear and worry with greater self-compassion. Accompanied by breathing exercises, guided imagery, and positive thinking, CBT can also help address the most distressing symptoms, so you can feel calm and in control as we explore the root of the issue and work toward lasting results.
Take this first step in your healing journey…
… and choose a therapist who understands your needs and can provide a plan that is tailored to your goals.
I have been helping individuals learn to understand and redefine their relationship with anxiety and depression for over 16 years. In that time, I’ve seen that hope and healing are always possible, no matter how difficult things may seem right now.
You can free yourself from depression, anxiety, worry, and fear!
If you are ready to get started on your journey to well-being, call me at (516) 253-1918 or email me at rivkieyifat@gmail.com to discuss your concerns and make sure we’re the right fit.