Anxiety Therapy in New York

In common parlance, anxiety simply involves feelings of stress or worry. No matter who you are, you have undoubtedly been stressed or worried at some point in your life. Whether it was the stress involved in completing a work or school project, or worrying about the safety of a loved one, we have all been stricken by bouts of anxiety. Due to this, almost everyone has an intuitive understanding of how short-term anxiety feels.

In a clinical sense, anxiety refers to feelings of worry and dread that last for long periods and impact daily life. In the case of clinical anxiety or anxiety disorders, worry is more persistent, and people typically worry about more facets of life than those who are not grappling with this difficulty. In many cases, worry and tension can arise spontaneously. This is one of the most notable differences between anxiety and normal levels of stress, which almost always stems from some type of discernible provocation (such as a work project). If you experience this, you should reach out to our anxiety therapists in New York.

According to research from the ‘National Institute of Mental Health’, close to one in three American adults experiences an anxiety disorder at some point. This makes anxiety one of the most pervasive mental health difficulties faced by people in the United States. Risk factors include upbringing, a stressful environment, and family history of anxiety or mental illness. Unfortunately, anxiety often coincides with depression, which means that many individuals struggle with both of these issues simultaneously.

Thankfully, mental health services can employ numerous methods to treat both anxiety and depression. One of the most effective is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) , which is used by our team of the best therapists for anxiety at Citron Hennessey Therapy. If you’re seeking an anxiety therapist NYC locals can trust, look no further. We are your therapy solution.

There are a number of different anxiety disorders that psychologists and mental health professionals have identified over the years. Some of the most common forms of anxiety are listed below:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) display excessive anxiety or worry, most days for at least six months, about a number of things.” In the case of GAD, worries can center around work, health, family, interactions with others, money, and more. Due to the widespread nature of this excessive worry, people in this group often experience anxiety when they are simply trying to get through the day.

Because it causes worry to pervade almost all facets of life, GAD can lead to some symptoms and side effects you may not commonly associate with anxiety. A few of these symptoms include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Chronic fatigue
• Problems with sleep
• Muscle tension
• Irritability

When combined with genetic or environmental factors, the stress of daily life can compound and lead to an anxiety disorder such as GAD, which can affect the entire body.

Panic Disorder

Anxiety can also cause panic attacks. Panic attacks are brief periods of extreme fear, and they can be mistaken for heart attacks due to the nature of the symptoms they cause (such as heart palpitations, sweating, and trembling). Those who frequently suffer from panic attacks are usually diagnosed with panic disorder. When someone experiences a panic attack, they often feel ready to do whatever they can to avoid that feeling again, which is often when they reach out to mental health counselors for help.

Phobias

Whether you suffer from one or not, you have probably heard of the most common phobias. People who experience phobias have intense feelings of fear or dread about specific objects or circumstances, such as spiders, blood, or heights. Phobias are a form of anxiety that can often be overcome or managed with the help of our anxiety specialists NYC team.

Social Anxiety

As the name implies, social anxiety involves excessive fear or worry regarding social situations. There are a wide range of social situations that can cause fear and worry, some of which include:

• Speaking in front of others
• Interacting with strangers
• Starting conversations
• Going to work
• Dating

Looking for anxiety therapy in New York or around the country? At Citron Hennessey, we take pride in staying at the forefront of research on social anxiety so that we can help you develop the tools you need to live free of this condition. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Another common form of anxiety is post-traumatic stress disorder. You might be under the impression that this is a condition limited to veterans or people who have seen combat, but the truth is that a variety of situations can lead to PTSD. Symptoms can include flashbacks, irritability, and fear. If you experience any of these it might be time to key in “anxiety therapist near me” and get treatment.

Living with anxiety disorders can be overwhelming, but there are practical coping skills that can improve your quality of life. While these strategies can help manage the symptoms of anxiety in daily life, finding the right therapist is essential for building a personalized treatment plan and achieving lasting change through evidence-based treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy. Whether you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or elsewhere in New York City, connecting with experienced clinicians—including an LCSW, psy.d, or professionals trained in psychiatry—can guide you toward effective anxiety treatment.

Research Your Options

When searching for “ best counselors for anxiety near me ,” you should research each potential candidate. Not all therapists have the same level of experience, and not all of them have expertise in treating anxiety disorders. 

Therapists who manage anxiety tend to treat all types of anxiety. For example, a therapist for social anxiety will also be able to treat you if you have generalized anxiety. 

However, therapists focusing on anxiety disorders may tackle the condition differently depending on the symptoms. Some may prefer cognitive-behavioral therapy, while others prefer exposure therapy . Some may combine both of these options. 

Check Credentials

Finding someone with the appropriate training is essential when searching for New York anxiety therapists. Different types of therapists hold distinct licenses, each carrying specific responsibilities based on their designation.

Ask about the potential therapist’s credentials so that you can ensure they are qualified to help you. 

Ask About Experience

Just because you found an anxiety therapist in NYC does not mean they have experience treating anxiety. They may have theoretical training but never worked in depth with an individual with this condition. 

An experienced therapist will have learned which techniques function best and how to offer support to various clients. 

 Consider Location

When searching for a social anxiety New York  specialist, you want to find someone conveniently located to you. Ideally you don’t want to travel hours to see your therapist, especially since the journey can often create more anxiety! 

You may also like to visit the location in person to get a feel for the place. You want to feel at ease when you go for your treatment sessions. 

Ask Questions

When you schedule your first consultation or speak with the therapist for the first time, you can have some questions prepared to help yourself decide whether they are the right choice. You can ask questions like:

• What is your experience treating this type of anxiety?
• What therapy modalities do you practice?
• What do you think is the most effective way to treat anxiety?

When consulting with an anxiety specialist, it is crucial that they provide answers in a manner that is easily comprehensible to you.

Turn to Citron Hennessey

Citron Hennessey can help pair you with the right therapist for your needs. We understand that you are unique and that finding the right therapist can depend on your comfort level and much more. You can tell us your ideal day and time, and we can find you the specialist you need.

After finding the right “ social anxiety therapist near me ,” you will want to know what to expect from the treatment, especially your first session. 

To begin, we will ask you about your anxiety and whether you have any other co-occurring issues. You will fill out a brief questionnaire that allows us to better understand your history and symptoms.

Your first appointment provides the time to get to know your therapist. You can ask questions, even the ones that seem most trivial to you. If the therapist does not welcome questions or explain themselves in a way you can understand, they may not be the right fit. 

Treating anxiety or any other mental health concern will not occur in one session. You will need multiple visits for your therapist to get to know you and determine how best to help. 

It is also crucial to understand that the therapist will offer guidance and the tools you need to help yourself, but they alone cannot resolve your problems. 

You can expect your therapist to ask questions like:

• What led you to seek treatment?
• How long have you had anxiety?
• Do other people in your life know you are struggling?
• Do you have a support system?
• Have you tried getting help before?
• Have you tried to manage the symptoms on your own?
• Do you take any medications?

They will also ask you about your medical history and whether you have a family history of mental illness. They can also ask about your childhood, relationships, career, education, and anything else they think is relevant. 

In the initial session, the best therapists for anxiety will thoroughly outline what you can anticipate in future sessions and how the treatment process will unfold. Additionally, they should explicitly discuss matters of confidentiality, clarifying the circumstances that might necessitate a breach of confidentiality.

The therapist may also provide guidance on what you can anticipate experiencing between sessions. Therapy sessions often elicit various emotions, and it is vital to understand how to effectively manage them when you leave the therapeutic environment and return home.

For many therapists, this can include having you do homework and other exercises. 

You should leave your first therapy session or consultation with a social anxiety therapist  with a sense of hope that there is help available and that healing is possible. 

Remember, each individual’s therapeutic journey is unique, and progress may take time. Embrace the process, stay committed to your well-being, and trust that with the proper support, positive changes are within your reach.