ANXIETY THERAPY FOR PEOPLE AT ALL STAGES OF LIFE in arlington/alexandria, va

Covered by insurance

Navigate the complexities of anxiety and discover effective strategies for managing its impact on your daily life.

Anxiety is both a mental and physical state of negative expectation. Mentally it is characterized by increased arousal and apprehension tortured into distressing worry, and physically by unpleasant activation of multiple body systems—all to facilitate response to an unknown danger, whether real or imagined. The cognitive feelings of dread in anticipation of some bad outcome, and physical sensations such as jitteriness and a racing heart are designed for discomfort.

Anxiety is meant to capture attention and stimulate you to make necessary changes to protect what you care about. Occasional bouts of anxiety are natural and can even be productive. Anxiety can be considered the price we humans pay for having the ability to imagine the future. But persistent, pervasive, or outsize anxiety can disrupt daily life, whether at school, work, or with friends—the mark of an anxiety disorder. Nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. will grapple with out-of-control anxiety at some point in their life.

Anxiety is often accompanied by depression, and the two share many symptoms and involve many of the same brain pathways. Biology can contribute to vulnerability to anxiety, as can childhood experiences such as early trauma and parenting practices such as overprotection.

Treatment is geared to keeping anxiety at manageable levels. Anxiety can be treated successfully using therapy, medication, or both. Lifestyle measures, such as regular exercise and deep-breathing, are also extremely important in controlling anxiety.

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Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is a state of negative expectation, manifesting both mentally and physically, involving increased arousal, distressing worry, and activation of body systems to respond to perceived danger.

Disruptive Nature of Anxiety Disorders

Persistent, pervasive, or outsize anxiety can disrupt daily life, impacting performance at school, work, or in social settings, marking the presence of an anxiety disorder.

Intersection of Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety is often accompanied by depression, sharing symptoms and involving similar brain pathways, with biology and childhood experiences contributing to vulnerability.

Geared Treatment for Manageable Levels

Treatment aims to keep anxiety at manageable levels, utilizing therapy, medication, or a combination of both, along with crucial lifestyle measures like regular exercise and deep-breathing techniques.

Meet Naomi!

Hello! I am a resident in counseling and I specialize in working with tweens, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, life transitions, and more. I believe that clients are more willing to try new coping skills and ways of understanding themselves and world when they have a genuine relationship with a thoughtful and supportive therapist. As such, I utilize a strengths-based and collaborative approach to helping people make important changes and ease some of their difficulties. I work to create a safe, open, and reflective space for clients to learn and grow.

I earned my BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia and MS in Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. I have experience working with adolescents and adults in community mental health, private practice, and in the hospital setting. I have a special interest in working with people of color. I am currently a Resident in Counseling under the supervision of Matt Browning, LPC.

I grew up in Springfield, VA and went to West Springfield High School. I like to spend time with my friends and family, travel, and occasionally binge watch TV. I provide walk-and-talk and face-to-face sessions at the Arlington/Alexandria office and provide teletherapy across the state of Virginia.