Services

Adolescents (14+) and Adults

Anxiety, Worry and Panic

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety by definition is difficulty tolerating uncertainty – Either an overestimation of negative things happening in the future or an underestimation of one’s ability to cope should it occur.

Three Components to Anxiety

Physical / Feelings : heart palpitaions, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, shakiness
Cognitions / Thoughts : “something terrible is going to happen”
Behaviors : ‘I have to avoid this’ or do something to bring this anxiety down

Anxiety is common and treatable

Treatment for Anxiety, Chronic Worry, Fears

Some treatments for anxiety disorders are more effective than others – for example Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Treatment works on stopping the cycle at all three points.

Note: There is a myth out there that CBT is somehow less emotional therapy than other therapies – but the truth is, when done well with a close relationship with a therapist, it is close, deep, emotionally effective treatment for certain types of difficulties.

Prolonged Exposure, Exposure/Response Prevention, CBT for Panic and/or Social Anxiety and Agoraphobia are therapies that can accomplish lasting change in a short time.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list of therapeutic techniques, but it is a good start to let you know that there are a number of evidence-based practices that are very effective. PBS had a special not long ago called “This Emotional Life”. In it, it featured several of these techniques – I highly recommend you see it if you are worried that you can’t stop your anxiety, panic, OCD or PTSD symptoms. Click to bring up “This Emotional Life”

A Word about Avoidance : Avoidance is the enemy of anxiety. Though it decreases the immediate anxiety, it increases anxiety over time

Anxiety

Stress, Chronic Worry, and Fears

Intimacy / Sex Addiction

Behaviors which can harm relationships

Couples Therapy

Real and lasting change for couples

Personality Disorders

Difficulties in interacting with others

Testimonials

Competent, caring and compassionate therapist. I had a long history of family Abuse and anxiety... I'm glad to say they are much better because of Liz.
-Matt L.

"After retirement it was time to finally face who I was, and Liz is helping me do that. She really gets me and 'hears' me. You are never too old to change."
-Donna T.

"Liz is a bright, knowledgeable and compassionate professional. I would highly recommend Liz to anyone who is looking for quality care."
-Kate S.

As seen in CURBED - The Best Therapists in New York 2021

Though recommending a therapist should be as common as passing on an excellent upholsterer, there is still a stigma to tending to one’s mental health. Another complication: Sometimes the person you most trust for a recommendation isn’t someone with whom you want to share a therapist. So we decided to ask 31 notable New Yorkers about their therapists and are publishing their referrals in their own words

Jewelry designer Pamela Love: “Elizabeth Lacy has helped me tremendously with anxiety and coping with the effects of childhood trauma. The progress I have made with her in only one year has been far greater than all the work I have put in over the past decade.”

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Find Balance and Stability in Your Life Patterns with Schema Therapy. Helping you to heal for lasting change.

If you have found that you have suffered from emotional pain or had a series of negative events happen on and off as a pattern throughout your life, schema therapy will help.

Schema therapy uncovers and corrects distorted patterns - it helps to break the old links. It is deeper emotional and cognitive work where we will identify your specific schemas and coping modes, helping you to heal them for lasting change. Schema Therapy gets to the root of the life patterns.

Don't Wait Any Longer. Start Forging Your Own Path Today!