Therapy for Anxiety and Worry in Maryland
Specialized Support for Anxiety Disorders
Whether you're struggling with social anxiety, general anxiety, or stress that feels unmanageable, it's important to know how common and treatable these challenges are. Anxiety affects a huge number of people in the U.S. (of all ages) yet many still suffer in silence, unsure where to turn or how to find lasting relief.
The good news is, you don’t have to navigate it alone! With the right support and therapist, it’s possible to quiet the noise, reconnect with yourself, and move through life with more ease and confidence. Therapy offers a space to slow down, make sense of what you're feeling, and develop practical tools to manage anxiety in a sustainable, meaningful way: for you and your family.
How Anxiety Might Show Up
Anxiety can show up in many ways: some obvious, others more subtle. You might notice constant worry, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or avoiding situations that feel overwhelming. Here are some symptoms to look out for in yourself or in your child:
What Anxiety Sounds Like and Looks Like
Persistent, overwhelming worry that leads to frustration, makes decision-making difficult, and prevents you from fully relaxing.
Strong fears of being judged or embarrassed that make you want to avoid social situations or push through them while feeling extremely on edge the whole time.
Intense discomfort or fear triggered by specific scenarios like air travel, illness, medical visits, or encounters with certain animals, often leading to avoidance or distress.
Unable to direct attention away from your body’s physical sensations, such as feeing dizzy, monitoring heartrate, keeping track of breath, and constantly worrying about possible panic attacks.
Frequently seeking reassurance from others or researching in order to feel safe.
How Therapy Helps: ERP, ACT, Parts Work & Art Therapy for OCD
I combine a four-step approach with evidence-based therapies tailored to support overthinkers struggling with OCD. Art therapy lets you express your feelings in creative ways. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) helps you face things that make you anxious little by little, so they don’t control you anymore. ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) teaches you how to notice your thoughts without fighting them, so they don’t take over your life. Parts work helps you understand the different sides of yourself that are struggling, so you can be kinder and more understanding to yourself. Together, these tools help you feel calmer and more in control!
Art Therapy
In Session: We use art materials like paints, clay, and collage to express feelings and stories that can be hard to put into words. Together, we create images about your worries, stress, or hopes, then reflect on what the art reveals about your inner experience.
Helps With: Overwhelm, anxiety, feeling stuck in repetitive thoughts, difficulty expressing emotions, and building self-awareness and calm.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
In Session: We create a list of things that trigger anxiety or compulsions, then practice facing these fears step-by-step while resisting the urge to do compulsive behaviors like checking, counting, or avoiding. I support and coach you through managing discomfort during this process.
Helps With: OCD symptoms like compulsions, repetitive behaviors, intrusive thoughts, and the cycle of anxiety and avoidance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
In Session: We practice mindfulness exercises to notice thoughts and feelings without judgment. We explore your values and what matters most to you, helping you take actions aligned with those values even when anxiety or difficult thoughts show up.
Helps With: Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, perfectionism, and building psychological flexibility.
Insights & Resources: My Approach to Supporting OCD
Explore my blog to learn more about how I support people with OCD through therapy, creative tools, and practical strategies for healing and growth. These resources offer hope and understanding for your journey.
Why Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a Highly Effective Treatment for OCD
Brushing Off Barriers: ACT-ivating Healing with Art Therapy
How to Navigate and Recover from Contamination OCD
Get the Most Out of Your Therapy Session: Navigating Mental Blocks in Therapy with Free PDF Included
Check out my Instagram for additional creative resources and get a better sense of the artistic process and what it's like to work with me, take a look at my Instagram page @arttherapywithkristy
