What if I look like I have it all together but still feel anxious or stuck?

You’re not alone. Many high-achieving young adults feel overwhelmed despite outward success. Therapy can help you untangle those patterns, understand what’s driving the pressure, and reconnect with what actually supports you.

Is therapy only for people in crisis?

Not at all. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If you’re dealing with chronic stress, perfectionism, or self-doubt, therapy can help you feel more grounded and less reactive.

Can EMDR or art therapy help with perfectionism or anxiety?

Yes. EMDR helps identify and shift the beliefs or experiences that feed your inner critic. Art therapy gives you a way to express and process things that are hard to put into words. Both approaches are effective for reducing anxiety and building self-compassion.

Hard on Yourself No Matter What You Accomplish

Anxiety therapy for high-achieving young adults in New York and NYC

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When Good Isn’t Good Enough

You get things done. You succeed. From the outside, people probably think you’re thriving. But on the inside, the pressure feels constant. You second-guess your decisions, replay conversations, and struggle to feel proud of anything you’ve done. It’s exhausting trying to live up to your own expectations.

This isn’t about being lazy or dramatic. It’s about how loud your inner critic is and how hard it is to feel at peace.

Signs You Might Be Stuck in This Cycle

You beat yourself up over small mistakes
You feel anxious even after doing well
You can’t relax unless everything is “perfect”
You struggle to celebrate wins because you’re already focused on the next task
You fear being seen as lazy, falling behind, or letting others down
You compare yourself constantly and feel like you’re not enough
You constantly worry something will fall apart if you stop pushing
This kind of high-functioning anxiety often goes unnoticed, but it takes a real toll on your mental health.

Open laptop and notebook on a couch with a cozy blanket, representing quiet pressure to stay productive even in restful spaces

Young woman sitting on the floor working on a laptop, symbolizing the pressure to overachieve and always stay busy

What’s Behind This Pattern

This pattern often starts early. Maybe you were praised for being the responsible one, or your worth was tied to achievement growing up. Perfectionism can develop when mistakes weren’t safe, when being the best felt like the only way to be accepted, or when love and approval were conditional.

Over time, that pressure becomes the baseline. You work hard to keep everything together, but inside it’s quietly exhausting. Anxiety in high achievers can be deeply ingrained and hard to notice until you finally burn out.

How Therapy Can Help

Whether you’re dealing with perfectionism, anxiety, or a constant fear of falling behind, therapy helps you step out of the pressure and reconnect with yourself. Together, we’ll:

Quiet the inner critic and build self-compassion
Learn to feel safe slowing down and saying no
Identify the roots of your pressure and reframe old beliefs
Understand how perfectionism developed and learn to challenge it with self-trust
Practice emotional regulation and nervous system grounding
Redefine success based on your values, not just outcomes

I use a combination of talk therapy, EMDR, art therapy, and somatic tools tailored to your needs. Therapy isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about being less harsh with yourself while still showing up fully.

You Deserve to Feel Enough

You don’t have to keep proving your worth. You can succeed without the constant self-doubt. You’re allowed to rest without everything falling apart. Book your free 15-minute consultation today

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’m doing well, so why do I still feel anxious all the time?

It’s common for high-achieving young adults to look like everything is going fine while still feeling anxious, tense, or stuck inside. You might meet your goals but still feel like it's never enough. That disconnect doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means there’s something deeper that deserves attention.

Can therapy help if I’m always hard on myself?

Yes. Therapy can help you understand where that inner pressure comes from, how it's affecting your life, and how to create space for more self-compassion. You don’t have to lower your standards. Therapy helps you move through life without constant burnout and self-criticism.

What kind of therapy works best for perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety?

A combination of approaches can help. I use EMDR to target deeper beliefs, art therapy to explore emotions when words aren’t enough, and somatic tools to work with the body’s stress response. We’ll use what works best for you.

What if I don’t feel “bad enough” for therapy?

Therapy isn’t only for people in crisis. If you’re functioning but constantly feel like you’re not doing enough, or you’re exhausted by your own expectations, that’s reason enough. You don’t have to wait for a breakdown to get support.

Want to know more?

You can check out the FAQs page anytime.