Anxiety
You might look like you’re functioning on the outside…
but inside, your mind doesn’t shut off.
The overthinking, the tension, the constant feeling that something isn’t quite right. It’s exhausting.
You’re not imagining it.
Life throws a lot at us — unexpected losses, difficult relationships, transitions we didn’t see coming, or simply the accumulation of too much for too long. Any of it can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and stretched impossibly thin.
You may feel stressed all the time. And while you’re able to keep up with your responsibilities, the ongoing anxiety has left you exhausted and questioning yourself and your decisions.
Maybe feelings of self-doubt have made you increasingly sensitive or reactive — snapping at the people you love, or pulling away from them altogether.
For some, it doesn’t just go away.
Overwhelming doubts and worries may be making it hard to sleep at night or get out of bed in the morning.
As anxiety interferes more and more with your life, you may begin to question why you just can’t feel calm and self-assured like everyone else seems to.
But anxiety isn’t a character flaw. And it doesn’t mean something is permanently wrong with you. It means something needs attention.
Knowing when to seek help…
When anxiety starts interfering with your everyday life and relationships, it may be time to reach out.
Getting ready for the day feels like a harrowing event — and you wonder how you’ll get through it.
Socializing with others, something you previously enjoyed, seems impossible or unappealing now.
You no longer have the same focus or presence for your work, your kids, or your relationships. Life just isn’t “working.”
Dina* was a young mother of two small children. Life felt too overwhelming. In addition to caring for her children, she was the main breadwinner with a full-time, demanding job.
She began experiencing panic attacks that left her frozen and unable to function for hours afterward. Her inability to cope the way she thought she “should” left her feeling deeply down on herself — like she wasn’t “good enough.”
She came into therapy sharing that she couldn’t stop crying — and that she knew it was finally 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. Any relief gained from addressing the symptoms can be short-lived if the cause isn’t being addressed.
I strive to provide a comfortable, safe environment where you can start to understand the root cause of your anxiety — without fear of judgment. I meet you where you are in your journey and 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 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 is like talking to a good friend — a friend who can ask deeper questions and help you understand yourself in a way you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
I’m here to help you get to the root of it.
In therapy, I’ll help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, learn the skills you need to alleviate anxiety, boost confidence, gain emotional freedom, and start feeling more like yourself again.
Together we’ll explore your current situation, symptoms, and feelings. Often our facts and feelings are jumbled, and we have difficulty sorting out what we’re feeling and why. By verbalizing your story and getting feedback and clarification, you’ll gain a clearer picture of what’s actually going on. That alone can bring real relief.
Anxiety is often a learned response to situations that feel uncomfortable or threatening. Many people have difficulty with emotions like anger, helplessness, or deep sadness — and when confronted with situations that bring up those feelings, anxiety becomes the automatic go-to response.
Uncovering what’s underneath…
In therapy, you’ll learn to uncover the deeper feelings hidden beneath the surface — and learn to experience them, rather than automatically feeling anxious instead.
We’ll work on noticing the patterns of interaction and behavior that are negatively impacting you. Once you’re aware of these patterns, therapy can guide you toward new, more adaptive ways of responding.
Knowledge is power. When you understand why you do the things you do and feel the things you feel — you have the power to create real change.
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 unwanted parts of yourself that need to be suppressed.
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 draw on a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific needs, including:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) — IFS helps you understand the anxious parts of yourself with curiosity rather than frustration. Instead of fighting your anxiety, we get to know it — what it’s protecting you from, what it needs, what would help it relax. Anxiety is a bit like a child in the middle of a tantrum: if you ignore it, it only gets louder. IFS helps you learn to listen to it instead. Learn more about IFS therapy here.
Psychodynamic therapy — helps you understand how anxiety developed in the context of your history and relationships, so that change feels meaningful and lasting rather than temporary.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — helps you identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel anxiety, and build practical tools for managing worry and fear in the moment. Accompanied by breathing exercises, guided imagery, and grounding techniques, CBT can bring real relief as we work toward lasting results.
Take the first step…
For the past 20+ years I’ve worked with women navigating anxiety, overwhelm, and feeling stuck — helping them understand and shift their relationship with anxiety in a way that actually feels meaningful and lasting.
Over time I’ve seen that hope and healing are always possible — even when things feel really difficult.
You don’t have to keep pushing through alone.
Call: (516) 253-1918
Email: rivkieyifat@gmail.com
Or contact me here to discuss your concerns and make sure we’re the right fit.