Specialties
Therapy for Sneaky Anxiety & Trauma
Explore therapy for sneaky anxiety and trauma patterns that may be impacting your daily life in Golden, CO and across the state.
Do These Thoughts Sound Familiar?
"I'm exhausted from constantly 'holding it together' while no one realizes I'm drowning inside. My to-do lists are flawless, my performance is stellar, but the internal pressure is crushing me."
"My friends call me the 'dependable one' or the 'rock,' but they don't see how my mind races with worst-case scenarios at 3 AM, or how I'm planning contingencies for conversations that haven't even happened yet."
"I've mastered the art of helping everyone else with their problems while deflecting attention from my own struggles. I'm so good at functioning that even I sometimes forget how anxious I really am."
"The thought of slowing down terrifies me more than burning out. If I'm not constantly productive or available for others, what value do I have? My worth feels tied to what I accomplish, not who I am."
"I've built my life around anticipating and preventing problems before they happen. The constant vigilance is exhausting, but the alternative—letting go of control—feels impossible."
What Is Sneaky Anxiety?
Sneaky anxiety often doesn't look like panic attacks or obvious worry. Instead, it shows up for many Golden, Colorado professionals as:
Overpreparation for even minor events
Difficulty saying no or setting boundaries
Perfectionism that never feels "good enough"
Hypervigilance about potential problems
Excessive responsibility for others' emotions and needs
Mental exhaustion from constant planning and worrying
Physical symptoms like tension headaches, digestive issues, or insomnia
You're Not Alone
If these words resonate, you may be experiencing what I call "high-functioning" or "sneaky" anxiety—an anxiety that hides behind achievement, perfectionism, and caretaking. From the outside, your life may seem put-together, maybe even enviable. But inside, there's a constant hum of worry, a never-ending to-do list, and a deep fear that if you stop, everything will fall apart.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWhy Overfunctioning Matters
Overfunctioning, or doing more than is necessary, healthy, or sustainable, may very well be a coping mechanism that temporarily soothes anxiety by creating an illusion of control. These patterns may serve well-intentioned protective functions, but it can overshadow other parts of you that want rest, connection and ease. Over time, overfunctioning can lead to:
How Therapy Can Help
Together, we can collaborate on the following—whether you're rooted in Golden, CO or elsewhere in Colorado:
Meet your parts
Recognize and understand the parts of you that overfunction, people-please, or fear failure.
Uncover the roots
Using EMDR, we can process past experiences that contributed to these anxious adaptations.
Shift beliefs and patterns
Explore the beliefs driving your anxiety and overfunctioning, and help your parts feel safe enough to step back.
Practice sustainable self-care
Develop routines that feel possible, nourishing, and not selfish.
Cultivate self-compassion
Counter perfectionistic tendencies and honor all parts of you.
Strengthen boundaries
Create space that respects your needs without guilt.
Reconnect with your worth
Reclaim your value beyond productivity and achievement.
My Approach
I offer a compassionate, non‑judgmental space where your experiences are validated. By combining Internal Family Systems (IFS) with EMDR, we can gently explore the protective parts that have kept you safe while uncovering and healing the root experiences that fuel your sneaky anxiety. Together, we'll build practical strategies for sustainable well‑being—so you can feel less like you're "holding it all together" and more like you're fully present with yourself and others.
Get Started TodayTrauma Is Not What Happens To You, It's What Happens Inside You As A Result Of What Happened To You.