Anxiety & Depression Therapy

Looking Beyond the Symptoms

I have years of experience treating anxiety and depressive disorders and the many ways these symptoms can intersect with other areas of psychological and relational functioning. My approach begins with understanding what the symptoms mean in the context of the whole person rather than treating anxiety or depression as an isolated set of symptoms to eliminate.

That means asking more than How anxious are you? or How depressed do you feel? We may also consider when symptoms began, what was happening when they intensified, how you respond to distress, what happens in your relationships, what you have learned to avoid or protect yourself from, and how your body responds to prolonged stress or threat. For some people, anxiety is characterized by persistent worry and anticipation. For others, it appears as perfectionism, overcontrol, avoidance, difficulty tolerating uncertainty, physical tension, or an ongoing need to remain vigilant. Depression can involve sadness, but it can also present as emotional numbness, disconnection, irritability, exhaustion, loss of pleasure, diminished sexual interest, or withdrawal from relationships and activities that once mattered.

Understanding these differences matters because effective treatment should be guided by the processes contributing to your distress—not simply by the diagnostic label attached to it.

An Integrative Approach to Treatment

My clinical approach is integrative and informed by more than two decades of work in psychology and behavioral health. Depending on your needs, treatment may draw from cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal, trauma-informed, somatic, and other evidence-informed approaches. When anxiety or depression occurs alongside trauma, sexual concerns, or relationship difficulties, treatment may also involve understanding how these experiences interact. Mood, anxiety, sexuality, relationships, and the body are not separate systems. Changes in one area can affect the others, and meaningful treatment often requires understanding those connections. When medication evaluation or additional medical care may be helpful, I can also collaborate—with your permission—with your physician, psychiatrist, or other healthcare professionals as part of a coordinated treatment approach.

Anxiety and Depression as Co-Occurring Concerns

My practice is particularly focused on sexual health and dysfunction, trauma and posttraumatic stress, childhood maltreatment, relationships, intimacy, and the psychological and physiological processes that shape sexual functioning. Anxiety and depression frequently coexist with these concerns. For example, anxiety can contribute to sexual avoidance, difficulty remaining present during intimacy, arousal difficulties, performance concerns, or increased attention to physical sensations. Depression can affect desire, pleasure, motivation, emotional connection, and relationship functioning. Trauma-related symptoms can overlap with both anxiety and depression, making careful assessment and case conceptualization especially important. Rather than separating these experiences into unrelated problems, I work to understand how they may be connected and what those connections mean for treatment.

Beginning Therapy

You do not need to determine on your own whether what you are experiencing is “anxiety,” “depression,” trauma, relationship distress, or something else before beginning therapy. Part of our work is developing a clearer understanding of what you are experiencing, what may be contributing to it, and what kind of treatment is most appropriate. I provide in-person psychotherapy at my Sioux Falls office and telehealth therapy for clients located in South Dakota and New York. If anxiety or depression is affecting your relationships, sexuality, work, sense of self, or ability to engage fully in your life, we can begin by understanding the larger picture—and determine together what may help.