Well+Being Holistic Mental Health
Emotional Health & Wellness Tips From The Therapy Couch And Other Places
Kimberly Seelbrede, LCSW, is a New York State licensed psychotherapist and women’s emotional health expert whose work weaves together the science of the mind, the biology of the brain, and the art of holistic integrative wellness. With nearly two decades of clinical experience, she helps women in midlife navigate the profound emotional, hormonal, and identity transitions that often surface during perimenopause and menopause. In addition, she works with couples to improve communication, strengthen emotional intimacy, and navigate changes in sexual health, relationship dynamics, and shared life stressors. She works with men who are experiencing personal and professional crises, life transitions, stress, mood changes, or relationship challenges. Her approach blends evidence-based psychotherapy with holistic mind-body interventions, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing® techniques, mindfulness, and lifestyle medicine — to address the full spectrum of emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Disclaimer: I am a licensed and fully credentialed mental health provider, but I am not a medical doctor. The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related concerns, including perimenopause, menopause, hormone therapy, or other chronic medical conditions. Reliance on the content on this site is solely at your own risk.
Why High-Functioning Anxiety Goes Undiagnosed—And What Real Support Looks Like in NYC
Why High-Functioning Anxiety Is So Common in New York City
In a metropolis where 5 AM workouts, 14-hour workdays, and perfectly curated feeds feel “normal,” it’s easy to miss the warning signs of chronic stress. High-functioning anxiety allows you to perform while you’re quietly:
Replaying every conversation in your head
Feeling guilty the moment you slow down
Taking on more responsibility to prove your worth
Living with jaw tension, migraines, or gut issues
Worrying you’ll drop a ball—then working harder to keep them all in the air
Because productivity never falters, colleagues and friends rarely see the cost: brittle nerves, stalled joy, and a body that’s always running on adrenaline.
What Exactly Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety isn’t an official DSM diagnosis; it’s a lived experience that blends Generalized Anxiety Disorder, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Externally you appear:
Capable, collected, and always on time
Hyper-organized and detail-oriented
Socially poised—hosting, leading, mentoring
Internally, you may feel:
A near-constant “buzz” of worry or dread
Panic when your calendar isn’t maxed out
Fear of being exposed as an imposter
Exhaustion that no amount of sleep fixes
Left unaddressed, the pattern can lead to burnout, hormone imbalance, relationship conflicts, and stress-related illness.
Why Traditional Self-Help Tips Fall Short
Generic advice—“just meditate,” “say no,” “take a spa day”—rarely works for women whose identity and livelihood depend on high performance. Sustainable change requires:
Nervous-System Recalibration that lowers the body’s baseline stress signal
Trauma & Attachment Healing to rewrite the deeper message that worth equals output
Lifestyle Re-Design that protects ambition and honors rest
That’s where integrative, trauma-informed psychotherapy can be life-changing.