Why Anxiety Therapy Matters

Living and working in Washington, DC can push anyone to their limits. The fast pace of professional life, the weight of family responsibilities, financial pressure, and the constant pull of being connected often leave people feeling stretched thin.

For many of my clients, this stress doesn’t just come and go. Instead, it builds until it turns into something hard to ignore. Over time, what started as pressure at work or at home shows up as restlessness, racing thoughts, or physical tension that becomes part of daily life. Some notice their relationships straining, while others feel a constant heaviness they can’t explain. 

Anxiety is one of the most common struggles I see, and it affects far more than just your thoughts. It can take a toll on your body, your emotions, and your ability to feel present in your life.

When anxiety becomes persistent or overwhelming, it can be hard to manage on your own. That’s where therapy comes in. We can work together to understand your patterns, reduce symptoms, and build strategies for lasting relief. Because anxiety shows up in so many different ways, it helps to first recognize how it might be affecting you.

Understanding Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some people, it shows up most in racing thoughts and looping worries that feel impossible to turn off. Others notice it in their bodies with a pounding heart, tense muscles, headaches, stomach issues, or nights spent staring at the ceiling instead of sleeping. And for many, anxiety makes itself known in daily life by avoiding responsibilities, pulling away from friends, or struggling to stay focused at work.

Because anxiety can touch so many areas, I often describe it as showing up in three key places:

  • The Brain: Worrying, catastrophizing, “what if” thinking that keeps you on edge.
  • The Body: Tension, restlessness, sweating, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues.
  • Behavior: Avoidance, procrastination, irritability, or overpreparing to ward off imagined disasters.

If you recognize yourself in any of these, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges people face and with the right support, treatment is highly effective.

What Anxiety Therapy In DC Can Help With

Clients seek therapy for anxiety at different points in their lives. Some are just beginning to notice anxiety taking hold, while others have been living with it for years. Wherever you are on that spectrum, therapy can help by addressing both the immediate symptoms and the deeper patterns that keep anxiety cycling.

Generalized Anxiety

You may feel like worry follows you everywhere spreading into work, relationships, and daily decisions until you’re constantly on edge. In therapy, we’ll practice concrete skills to break those cycles so you can begin to feel calmer and more in control.

Panic Attacks

If you’ve ever had a sudden surge of fear that left your heart racing, your breath short, or your body dizzy and shaky, you know how overwhelming panic can be. Together we’ll work on grounding techniques and prevention strategies so these moments lose their intensity and feel less frightening.

 

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety can make everyday interactions exhausting. You might find yourself avoiding gatherings, staying quiet in meetings, or replaying conversations in your head afterward, worrying how you came across. In therapy, we’ll focus on easing the fear of judgment and building confidence so connecting with others feels less stressful.

Workplace Anxiety

Living in DC, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by performance pressure, job security concerns, or the demands of high-stakes careers. In our work together, we’ll explore how to set healthier boundaries and manage expectations so your work doesn’t consume your entire life.

Parenting Anxiety

Parenting can stir up worries about your child’s safety, development, or your ability to meet all the demands placed on you. Therapy offers a space to sort through those fears and practice coping strategies so you can feel steadier and more confident as a parent.

Health Anxiety

When every physical sensation feels like a warning sign, it can leave you stuck in worry. In therapy, we’ll work on understanding those fears, calming your body’s reactions, and helping you trust your sense of safety again.

Whether your anxiety is tied to specific stressors or feels more generalized, counseling can help you feel steadier, calmer, and more capable of handling daily life.

My Approach To Anxiety Treatment In Washington, DC

As a psychologist, I use evidence-based approaches specific for your needs. For anxiety therapy, I often draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These approaches are well-researched and effective in treating anxiety disorders. In practice, this means we don’t just talk about anxiety, we actively work with it. 

Therapy may involve:

  • Challenging anxious thoughts: Learning to notice catastrophizing and replace it with more balanced thinking.
  • Practicing tolerable steps: Breaking overwhelming challenges into smaller, manageable parts so you can move forward.
  • Building mindfulness skills: Grounding yourself in the present instead of getting lost in “what if” worries.
  • Learning emotion regulation: Recognizing and naming emotions, then using strategies to calm your nervous system.
  • Strengthening relationships: Setting boundaries and communicating needs more clearly to reduce stress in daily life.

 

Many people who start anxiety therapy are looking for quick relief and a way to feel calmer and more in control. In our work, we balance those immediate skills with deeper exploration, so you can ease symptoms now while also addressing the roots of your anxiety.

What To Expect When Seeking Therapy For Anxiety

Therapy is most effective when it feels active and collaborative. In our sessions, I listen closely to how anxiety shows up in your life, and I also stay engaged by asking questions, offering reflections, and teaching tools you can use outside of the room.

Some clients arrive with a clear goal, like sleeping better or easing panic attacks. Others just know they feel overwhelmed and want relief from constant worry. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, we’ll create a plan that makes sense for you and adjust it as you grow.

Why Work With Me

Practicing in Washington, DC, I know how the competitive work culture, the long hours, and the constant sense of urgency can fuel anxiety. My role is to provide a steady, supportive space where you don’t have to keep carrying that pressure alone.

Clients often tell me they value my collaborative style. I don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I adapt what we do to your goals and pace. My focus is on helping you feel more resilient, capable, and present in your everyday life.

Begin Anxiety Therapy In Washington, DC

Anxiety doesn’t have to keep running your life. With the right support, you can learn to manage symptoms, quiet racing thoughts, and feel more grounded day to day. If you’re ready to begin, reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn how therapy can help.

Contact: 571-882-1648 | dralexafram@gmail.com
Office: 1701 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006
(Above Farragut North at K & 17th ST NW)

Anxiety Therapy in Washington, DC FAQs:

How do I know if I need anxiety therapy in DC?

If worry, panic, or fear is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or work, it may be time to seek therapy.

What kind of therapy is best for anxiety?

Research shows that CBT, ACT, and DBT are highly effective for anxiety treatment. I integrate all three approaches depending on what you need.

How long does anxiety treatment take?

Some clients feel improvement within weeks, while others may continue therapy longer to address deeper patterns.

How is anxiety therapy different from general counseling?

While all counseling provides support, anxiety therapy places particular attention on the patterns of worry and stress that can feel overwhelming. It combines practical coping skills with thoughtful exploration, helping you both ease immediate symptoms and understand their roots.

Does therapy for anxiety in Washington, DC work for panic attacks?

Yes. Therapy can help reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, and give you tools to cope when they arise.

Do you offer counseling for anxiety DC online?

Yes. I provide both in-person and virtual sessions for residents of DC and PSYPACT states.

Can therapy help if my anxiety is related to work stress?

Absolutely. Many of my clients are professionals managing high-pressure jobs. Therapy can help you set boundaries, manage perfectionism, and feel calmer at work.

Is medication required for anxiety treatment in Washington, DC?

Not necessarily. Some people benefit from a combination of medication and therapy, while others find therapy alone is enough. I can coordinate with prescribers if needed.

How do I choose the best anxiety therapist in Washington, DC?

Look for someone with experience treating anxiety, who uses evidence-based approaches, and with whom you feel comfortable. Finding the right fit matters as much as the method.

Is anxiety therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything we discuss in therapy is confidential within legal and ethical limits.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

Every therapist is different. If previous therapy wasn’t effective, a new approach, new tools, and a stronger therapeutic relationship may make all the difference.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking with which they were created.” - Albert Einstein

Does anxiety connect to other parts of my mental health?

Anxiety can relate to a lot of other emotional challenges. Anxiety that interferes with our ability to engage with important life goals can contribute to depression. Perfectionistic beliefs caused by anxiety often contribute to difficulties with self-esteem and body image. Anxiety often underlies difficulties with anger management. Trauma can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and difficulties with trust. Acute grief can lead to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety.

– Dr. Alex Afram, Therapist for Anxiety in Washington, DC