The Stress of Success: Therapy for High-Functioning Anxiety in NYC

As an experienced stress and anxiety therapist with nearly 20 years of experience, I’ve worked with countless high-achieving professionals who are respected, successful, and outwardly composed—but who feel overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted on the inside. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

At Holistic Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Wellness NY, I offer virtual therapy designed specifically for professionals who appear to be thriving but are silently struggling. Whether your anxiety shows up as perfectionism, burnout, or a constant fear of not being good enough, there is support available that actually works—and fits into your life.

This blog post explores how anxiety uniquely affects high-functioning individuals, how therapy can help, and what to expect if you are ready to start your healing journey.

The Hidden Face of Anxiety in High Achievers

Anxiety is not always loud or dramatic. For high performers, it often hides in plain sight—masked by ambition, accomplishment, and self-discipline.

You might be:

• Meeting deadlines but mentally drained

• Leading teams while secretly doubting yourself

• Maintaining a polished image but feeling like an imposter

• Working late not because you have to, but because you can’t relax

These patterns often go unrecognized because they are rewarded in professional environments. But just because they are common doesn’t mean they are healthy—or sustainable.

The Cost of Untreated Anxiety

When anxiety is left unchecked, it can impact every aspect of your life, including:

• Mental Clarity: Difficulty focusing, mental fatigue, racing thoughts

• Career Performance: Missed opportunities, indecision, fear of failure

• Growth and Advancement: Avoidance of visibility, reluctance to lead, self-sabotage

• Relationships: Irritability, withdrawal, overthinking interactions

• Physical Health: Burnout, sleep problems, chronic tension or illness

Eventually, even the most capable professionals reach a point where “pushing through” no longer works. That’s where therapy comes in.

How Therapy Helps High-Functioning Professionals with Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life—or your career. Therapy offers a space to pause, reflect, and make meaningful change without sacrificing your drive or ambition.

In our work together, I help clients:

• Understand the roots of their anxiety, not just the symptoms

• Break out of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and fear-based habits

• Reclaim clarity, confidence, and calm under pressure

• Strengthen emotional resilience and coping strategies

• Improve communication and boundary-setting

• Feel more grounded and connected in both work and life

I use a holistic, trauma-informed approach that includes EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic work—because anxiety is not just a mental experience; it affects your whole self.

How EMDR Helps Address the Root of High-Functioning Anxiety

When working with high-achieving professionals, I often find that the anxiety they’re dealing with didn’t just begin with their current workload or career stress. Many times, it’s rooted in early life experiences, internalized expectations, unresolved trauma, or long-standing emotional patterns that have gone unexamined.

This is where EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) becomes an incredibly powerful tool.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a research-supported, integrative therapy originally developed for trauma, but it has since been shown to be highly effective for anxiety, performance blocks, perfectionism, and chronic stress.

Unlike talk therapy alone, EMDR helps you process past experiences that are stuck in your nervous system—memories, beliefs, or moments your brain couldn’t fully make sense of at the time. These unprocessed experiences often lie beneath the surface of high-functioning anxiety.

You might not even realize they’re still affecting you, but they show up in subtle ways:

• A constant need to prove yourself

• Fear of failure or being "found out"

• Difficulty relaxing, even when nothing is wrong

• Harsh self-talk or inner criticism

• A sense that what you do is never enough

• Avoiding conflict or people-pleasing to feel safe

• Intense emotional responses to feedback, rejection, or pressure

These are often not just “personality traits”—they are adaptive responses to past experiences. EMDR helps release their emotional grip.

How EMDR Works in Therapy

In EMDR, we identify core memories, beliefs, or themes contributing to your current anxiety. These aren’t always dramatic traumas—they can be smaller but impactful moments that shaped how you see yourself and the world.

Once we identify these experiences, we use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sound) to help your brain reprocess the memory in a way that is no longer distressing or triggering.

You don’t have to relive the experience in detail. EMDR is structured, focused, and designed to be a contained process that works with your nervous system—not against it.

The Result?

Clients often report that after EMDR:

• Their inner critic quiets down

• They feel more grounded and resilient under pressure

• Situations that used to trigger anxiety feel neutral

• Confidence returns without forcing or faking it

• They stop reacting out of fear or self-protection

• There is more room for self-compassion, flexibility, and calm

It’s not about forgetting the past—it’s about freeing yourself from it so that your present isn’t ruled by old programming.

Why EMDR Is Ideal for High-Functioning Individuals

Many high achievers are skilled at analyzing their thoughts and “powering through” difficult emotions. But insight alone doesn’t always bring relief. That’s because anxiety often lives in the body and nervous system, not just the mind.

EMDR goes beyond surface-level strategies by targeting the origin of the anxiety—not just the symptoms.

In my work with high-functioning professionals, EMDR is especially helpful in addressing:

• Chronic perfectionism

• People-pleasing and boundary issues

• Fear of visibility, criticism, or failure

• Shame tied to past mistakes or self-worth

• Burnout rooted in childhood pressure or high expectations

• Identity tied entirely to achievement or productivity

By integrating EMDR with holistic psychotherapy, I help clients not only perform better but feel better—without constantly fighting themselves.

Combining EMDR with Holistic Psychotherapy

Yes, integrative approaches work quite well! My approach blends EMDR with other evidence-based and holistic modalities such as:

• Somatic (body-based) awareness

• Mindfulness and nervous system regulation

• Cognitive strategies when helpful

• Attachment-based work

• Trauma-informed coaching on boundaries, rest, and self-worth

This integrated method helps you not only resolve the why behind your anxiety, but also learn how to support yourself moving forward—so you no longer need to be in constant “management mode.”

If you’ve tried talk therapy before and felt like you understood your anxiety but couldn’t feel any different—EMDR may be the missing piece.

Therapy That Respects Your Schedule and Your Goals

At Holistic Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Wellness NY, I know that time is one of your most valuable resources. That’s why I offer expert virtual therapy, so you can access care from the comfort of your home, office, or even while traveling.

I provide:

• Flexible appointment times, including early mornings and evenings

• A seamless, private virtual therapy experience

• Simple scheduling and clear communication

• A boutique private practice with a personalized approach with no waiting room or distractions

Therapy should feel supportive, not stressful. You deserve care that works with your life—not against it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy

How do I know if I need therapy for anxiety?

You might benefit from therapy if:

• You constantly overthink or feel “on edge”

• Anxiety is affecting your sleep, health, or relationships

• You’re avoiding opportunities or social situations

• You feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed by decisions

• You’ve tried self-help, but it hasn’t been enough

Early intervention leads to better outcomes. You do not need to wait until things get worse to reach out.

How long does therapy take?

It depends on your goals and the nature of your anxiety. Some clients see meaningful progress within 8 to 12 sessions, while others choose to engage in deeper, longer-term work. We will go at a pace that feels right for you.

Do I need medication?

Many people improve with therapy alone. If you’re curious about medication, I can support you in exploring your options and refer you to a psychiatrist for a consultation if needed. The choice is always yours.

What makes therapy for high-functioning anxiety different?

Therapy with high achievers must:

• Honor the realities of demanding work environments

• Address identity and self-worth tied to achievement

• Explore hidden perfectionism and imposter syndrome

• Help you function better without sacrificing excellence

• Be efficient, focused, and flexible

My approach is specifically tailored to meet these needs while honoring your time and energy.

What You Can Do Between Sessions

Therapy doesn’t stop when the session ends. I encourage clients to:

• Practice mindfulness or grounding exercises

• Reflect on anxiety triggers and write down patterns

• Apply coping strategies in real-life situations

• Move their bodies and prioritize rest

• Stay connected to supportive people

• Complete therapy assignments with curiosity, not pressure

These tools help you build momentum and create lasting change over time.

Other Supportive Resources in NYC

In addition to therapy, there are many resources that can complement your journey:

• Educational content from Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry

• Online workshops from the Mental Health Association of NYC

• Books and workbooks on anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout

• Peer support groups, both virtual and in-person

• Professional organizations that offer referrals and information

Part of my work is helping you identify which tools will be most helpful for your unique needs.

Getting Started: What to Expect

Reaching Out

Starting therapy might feel intimidating, especially when you are used to handling everything on your own. I’m here to make the process as simple and welcoming as possible.

When you contact me, we will:

• Schedule a consultation

• Discuss your goals and concerns

• Go over any questions you have about therapy

• Find a session time that works for your schedule

You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just start where you are.

Preparing for Your First Session

You might find it helpful to:

• Reflect on how anxiety is impacting your life

• Think about what you want to change or understand better

• Write down any questions or concerns

• Complete any forms sent ahead of time

This preparation helps us make the most of your first session together.

A Different Way Forward

I believe that therapy for anxiety is not just about learning how to cope—it’s about transformation. It’s about stepping out of survival mode and into a life that feels more aligned, present, and fulfilling.

You do not need to choose between success and peace of mind. You can have both.

At Holistic Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Wellness NY, I help high-performing professionals reclaim their calm, strengthen their confidence, and reconnect with what matters most. Therapy is not about becoming someone new—it’s about coming home to yourself, with greater clarity and compassion.

Ready to Take the First Step?

You deserve support that honors your strengths, your story, and your schedule. If anxiety is holding you back—or just making your life harder than it needs to be—I invite you to reach out.

Contact me today to learn more about virtual therapy or to schedule a consultation. I’m here when you’re ready.