Therapy for Anxiety and Stress
When a small uncertainty becomes a whole afternoon of worry, I help you look at the thoughts and decide what to do next.
When Worry Takes Up Your Day
You might replay a conversation on the way home or picture everything that could go wrong next semester. I work with adults whose anxiety makes ordinary decisions feel loaded. In person in Shelton or online, we can slow down a recent example and sort out what happened, what you feared, and what you need now.
The Future Feels Too Close
Catastrophizing can turn a possible problem into an expected disaster. One unanswered message becomes a friendship ending; one mistake becomes a career falling apart. I help you separate the facts in front of you from the story your mind adds. We can consider risk without treating every uncertain situation as something you must avoid.
When Small Things Feel Huge
A full inbox or a changed plan can be the last thing you can handle that day. Then you stop answering friends, put tasks off, and feel less motivated. I want to understand that sequence with you. We look for a manageable response earlier in the cycle, before overwhelm leaves you pulling away from everything.
Answering the Thoughts With CBT
I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to examine the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We might write down a recurring prediction, check the evidence, and try a more balanced response. Quieting the bully in your brain can start with noticing its words instead of accepting them as instructions you have to follow.
Making Room With ACT
Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, offers another way to respond when discomfort stays. We can practice allowing an anxious feeling while choosing an action connected to your values. That might mean attending class despite uncertainty or having a needed conversation. Feeling completely calm does not have to be the condition for doing something that matters.
Second Guessing and People Pleasing
Saying yes to avoid disappointing someone may leave no room for your own priorities. I help you look at the assumptions behind that choice and practice a response you can stand behind. Our work can include tolerating another person’s disappointment, checking a decision once, and recognizing when repeated reassurance is keeping you caught in doubt.
Stress in Your Body
Sleep changes, appetite changes, or restlessness can accompany a stressful stretch. We can talk about when you notice them and what else is happening that week, without jumping to a diagnosis. If physical symptoms need medical attention, a medical provider belongs in that conversation. Therapy gives us room to examine the stress alongside your daily routines.
A First Month of Work
The 60-minute intake covers your history and gives us time to set goals together. After that, 45-minute sessions happen weekly or every other week. A first month might include identifying a worry pattern, trying a skill between appointments, and reviewing what actually helped. I adjust the work with you rather than promising a set timeline for change.
Worry gets quieter when you have a plan for it.
Bridget Moore, LCSW
Bring the Worry You Keep Coming Back To
Call or email to arrange a free 15-minute consultation. I can answer questions about daytime appointments and hear which parts of your week anxiety has been taking over.
Free 15-Minute Consult