Therapy for Anxiety

Westchester anxiety therapy

Sweaty palms, racing heartbeat, a sinking feeling that something bad is about to happen: feelings you know all too well if you experience anxiety.

You’re not alone.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues impacting people today. However, it’s also one of the most treatable. With the help of therapy, people with anxiety can learn to manage their symptoms and lead a calmer, happier life.

Interested in learning more about how a Westchester therapist can help? Connect with me today.

Meet Justine Carino, LMHC- Westchester and Connecticut anxiety therapist

First, I want to commend you for getting to this point. The fact that you have started to look into anxiety therapy in White Plains shows that you are ready to commit to your wellbeing.

I can take it from here.

My name is Justine Carino and I’m a licensed mental health counselor. I help teens and young adults with many different issues, and anxiety is one of my specialities. I treat generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.

While my training and experience help me guide you, I believe that you are the expert in your own experience. My goal is to make you feel empowered to take control of your thoughts and feelings.

I recognize that the idea of opening up to someone new can feel overwhelming at first. I want to assure you that my therapy sessions are a nonjudgmental space for you to fully express yourself.

Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? Reach out today to see if we’re a good fit for each other.

My approach to anxiety therapy

Many people feel intimidated by the thought of talking with a therapist. It can be difficult to open up to someone you are unfamiliar with, and the idea of change can be scary.

Those concerns are valid. However, the fact that you have made it to this point suggests that part of you recognizes change is necessary. With my guidance, you can harness this inner voice and take tangible steps toward a life with less anxiety.

I take great care to make sure each of my clients feels comfortable speaking with me. Many people come to their first appointment and have no idea what to say or where to begin--and that’s okay!

My style is highly interactive, so I will ask questions and provide feedback during our time together. Our sessions are not interrogations, nor is there an expectation for you to fill the time yourself--think of it as simply having a (therapeutic) conversation.

Our sessions are also an opportunity for you to be completely yourself. I value creating a safe, trusting environment where you can open up without fearing judgment. Being honest about your feelings and experience is an essential part of the healing process.

Once we’ve established our therapeutic relationship, we will spend time addressing your anxiety and collaborating around ways to manage your symptoms. We will explore new ways of viewing your problems and try different coping strategies to find what works best for you. I use evidence based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help you learn how to manage your symptoms.

You will leave our sessions with tools to help you feel more calm and in control. This can improve your relationships, job performance, and overall quality of life.

If you are interested in learning more about my approach to anxiety treatment, I encourage you to contact me today.

FAQs about anxiety therapy

How can I find an anxiety therapist that is right for me?

There are many different ways to find a therapist. You can ask your medical provider for a referral, do a simple Google search, or ask friends for their recommendations.

However, there is no real way to know whether a therapist will be a good fit until you actually talk to them. A therapist could have all of the qualifications you want and seem great on paper, but that connection is a sort of “x factor” that you cannot necessarily research ahead of time.

I realize this can be anxiety-provoking in and of itself, which is why I prioritize creating a warm, safe environment in sessions. I want you to feel comfortable opening up and being yourself.

With that being said, you may not click with me (or another therapist) at your first appointment. I recommend having a few sessions to see if you and your therapist can build a connection.

How do I know if I’m anxious or just stressed?

All of us experience stress--and even feelings of anxiety--from time to time. It’s part of being a human.

However, feeling consumed by worry, having a difficult time relaxing, and being plagued by constant tension and irritability are signs that something more serious may be going on.

The good news is that anxiety is treatable. If you think you may have anxiety, reach out to talk more about your situation and find out how therapy can help.

What is the therapy process like?

You are an individual with your own needs and preferences. I believe that treatment is most effective when it is tailored to your unique situation. However, there are some basic parts of the therapy process that are similar from person to person.

At our first appointment, I’ll ask questions to get to know you a bit better. From here, we’ll set goals together and decide how often we should meet.

In each session afterward, we’ll work towards those goals we set. It’s okay for them to change over time, but it gives us something to focus on. We will spend time discussing your anxiety experience, and I’ll give suggestions about new ways of thinking and behaving that can help you feel more at ease.

You’ll leave our sessions feeling like you control your anxiety, not the other way around.

What is your therapeutic style?

As I am trained in CBT and that is the modality I use to treat anxiety, I believe that therapy is more than the tools and coping strategies I’ll teach you--it’s also about the rapport we build.

I put a lot of care into each session we have together. I commit to being fully present during our appointments so you can feel truly heard and validated. I also strive to create a space where you feel free to be yourself.

I believe that forming this positive therapeutic relationship together will help you get the most out of therapy. In turn, this can help improve your relationships with other people in your life as well.