Anxiety

Anxiety Therapy in New York

Anxiety is a normal human response to major change and uncertainty.

Get help IMMEDIATELY

    “Emotional access to the truth is the indispensable precondition of healing.”

    – Alice Miller

    Types of Anxiety

    However, when it becomes chronic, crippling, or paralyzing, or when the anxiety experienced is out-of-proportion or unrelated to the realistic dangers of the life situation, it is likely that it is being fueled by unresolved traumas or hidden inner emotional conflicts.

    Here are some major types of anxiety disorders:

    1. involves excessive, persistent worry and anxiety about various aspects of life, such as work, relationships, health, or everyday concerns. The worry is often difficult to control and may lead to physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating.
    2. Panic Disorder: Individuals with panic disorder experience recurrent panic attacks—sudden, intense episodes of fear or dread accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom. Fear of future panic attacks can lead to avoidance behaviors.
    3. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Social anxiety disorder involves an intense fear of social situations or performance situations in which the individual may be scrutinized or judged by others. This fear can lead to avoidance of social events, speaking in public, or interacting with others.
    4. Specific Phobias: Specific phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, animals, situations, or activities. Common examples include fear of heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), flying (aviophobia), or public speaking. Avoidance of the phobic stimulus is typical.
    5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. Common obsessions include contamination fears or worries about harm coming to oneself or others.
    6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, such as combat, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. It involves symptoms like intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing.
    7. Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or help may not be available, such as crowded places, public transportation, or open spaces. People with agoraphobia often avoid these situations.

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    Anxiety therapy

    Psychodynamic psychotherapy aims to understand the unconscious causes of anxiety.
    These can include:

    • Unprocessed traumatic experiences that left you feeling overwhelmed and helpless
    • Underlying emotions that are judged as unacceptable, often due to messages received about those emotions in early childhood (ie, “big boys don’t cry” or “nice girls don’t get angry”)
    • Unconscious conflicts, for example when you experience an impulse or desire that conflicts with your image of yourself (ie, you’re married and experience an attraction to another man)
    • Situations that unconsciously remind you of an experience in childhood where you experienced or feared life-threatening loss, such as rejection or abandonment by a caregiver
    • Situations that unconsciously remind you of experiences that were shameful or humiliating, resulting in loss of self-esteem

    Once the underlying unconscious causes of anxiety are understood and associated emotional material is processed, the body’s physical stress response to triggers can significantly diminish or disappear, and mental space is opened up to determine better ways to cope or manage difficult feelings.

    Here are some key aspects of psychodynamic psychotherapy for anxiety:

    • Exploring the deep-seated sources of anxiety, which may be rooted in early childhood experiences, unresolved conflicts, and past trauma.
    • Identifying specific triggers or situations that provoke your anxiety. This can include exploring the thoughts, memories, or external events that lead to anxiety reactions.
    • Exploring repressed emotions, as anxiety can sometimes serve as a defense against sadness, anger, or fear.
    • Exploring the feelings related to anxiety that you may develop toward me as your therapist. This is called “working with transference”, and allows us to look more closely at triggers for anxiety in real-time.
    • Examining patterns of thinking and coping mechanisms you have developed to manage your anxiety, including avoidance, perfectionism, or excessive worrying.
    • Exploring your attachment style and relationship dynamics, as these can influence how anxiety is experienced and expressed.
    • Enhancing emotional regulation by providing a space where feelings and situations that are experienced as threatening can be expressed, talked about, and supported.  The expression of threatening feelings unlocks understanding about how they came to feel so threatening in the first place, and over time can lead to greater self-acceptance and improved ability to cope.

    To get started with therapy for anxiety, please submit this form to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation

    about me

    Marina Rozenberg, MD.

    Clinical psychiatrist and therapist

    I’ve been a practicing internal medicine physician since 2004. In the process of going through my own healing journey, I realized that I wanted to learn to use the tools that were most valuable to me in order to help others in their pursuit of more meaningful and genuine lives. To that end, I completed a 4-year postgraduate training program in Bioenergetic Analysis, and additional postgraduate programs in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I am currently enrolled as a psychoanalytic candidate at the Object Relations Institute in NYC.

    conditions

    I work with adults of all ages who are seeking help for the following conditions

    Questions to ask the doctor

    Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of apprehension or fear about what’s to come. While everyone experiences occasional anxiety, persistent or chronic feelings of anxiety can interfere with daily activities. This can manifest in the form of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, or other forms. The root of anxiety can vary from person to person and can be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and personal factors.

    An anxiety attack, often referred to as a panic attack, is a sudden and intense episode of fear or apprehension. The symptoms can be both physical and emotional. Physically, individuals might experience rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or dizziness. Emotionally, there might be a sense of impending doom, a fear of losing control, or a feeling of detachment from oneself. It’s worth noting that the intensity and duration of these symptoms can vary between individuals.

    1. Listen Actively: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to just listen without offering solutions or advice. Being heard can be very comforting.
    2. Educate Yourself: Understanding anxiety can help you be more compassionate and supportive. Remember that it’s a real and complex condition.
    3. Avoid Judgments: It’s crucial not to belittle or dismiss their feelings. Comments like “Just get over it” or “It’s all in your head” are counterproductive.
    4. Encourage Professional Help: While your support is valuable, it’s essential to recognize when someone needs professional help. Encourage them to see a therapist or counselor.
    5. Stay Calm: If they’re having an anxiety attack, stay calm, and speak in a soft, reassuring voice. Your calm demeanor can be grounding for them.
    6. Practice Patience: Healing and managing anxiety can be a long process. Celebrate small victories and understand there will be setbacks.
    7. Learn Coping Techniques: Encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
    8. Stay Informed: With their permission, accompany them to therapy sessions or doctor’s appointments if they’d like the support.

    Testimonials

    I have found myslef

    Thank you, Marina Rozenberg, for the guidance and tools you've given me. Your expertise has made a positive, lasting impact on my mental well-being.
    Robert Card

    My anxiety improved

    Highly recommend! Her approach to therapy is both compassionate and effective, allowing me to grow and heal in ways I never thought possible.
    July West

    I have found my self

    Sessions have been transformative. They provide insightful feedback and create a safe space to navigate personal challenges.
    Ian Robert

    Marina is a professional

    Dr. Marina has an incredible ability to listen and understand. I've never felt more supported and heard in therapy before. Truly life-changing!
    Emma Parton

    Contact Us

    Contact info

    1440 York Ave, New York, NY 10075
    marinarozenbergmd@gmail.com
    347-644-7981

    Work time

    Monday: 9AM-6PM
    Tuesday: 1PM-8PM
    Wednesday: 10AM-8PM
    Thursday: 9AM-8PM
    Friday: 10AM-4PM
    Weekend: Closed

      Marina Rozenberg, MD

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      Contact

      1440 York Ave, New York, NY 10075
      347-644-7981

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