Depression and Anxiety Counseling Montclair, NJ

Anxiety and depressive disorders

Anxiety and depressive disorders are prevalent mental health conditions that can significantly impair daily functioning and overall quality of life. Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) offers an effective approach to treating these disorders by addressing the underlying emotional experiences and attachment needs. Developed from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), EFIT is rooted in attachment theory and the science of emotions, providing a comprehensive framework for healing and personal growth.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression can feel like an invisible weight that you carry every day, making even the simplest moments feel overwhelming. If you’re here, it’s likely that you’ve been battling a relentless cycle of worry, fear, or sadness. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? You may feel like you’re on high alert, unable to relax, or stuck in a loop of doubt and unease that robs you of peace. Or maybe it feels like a heavy fog has settled over your life, making joy and connection feel just out of reach.

You’re not alone. These feelings can be understood, and they can be healed.

Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t just live in your thoughts—it’s in your body, your breath, and your relationships. It might feel like:

  • Your mind is racing with worries about everything: work, family, even things you can’t control.

  • A tightness in your chest or a knot in your stomach, a physical reminder that your body is bracing for danger, even when there’s no clear threat.

  • Avoiding situations or people because of fear of judgment or failure.

  • Constant restlessness, like your mind and body can’t find an off switch.

Anxiety isn’t just about fear—it’s about how deeply you long to feel safe, certain, and in control. Whether it shows up as the constant worry of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the overwhelming rush of a panic attack, or the self-doubt of Social Anxiety Disorder, it can make you feel like you’re on the outside of your own life, unable to fully participate or enjoy.

The Weight of Depression

Depression is more than just sadness—it’s a feeling of being stuck, like the world has lost its color. It might show up as:

  • A heaviness that makes it hard to get out of bed or take care of yourself.

  • A deep sense of loneliness, even when you’re surrounded by people who care.

  • Loss of interest in things that used to bring you joy, as if nothing matters anymore.

  • Overwhelming guilt or worthlessness, questioning if you’re “enough” or if things will ever get better.

Depression isn’t laziness, weakness, or something you can simply “snap out of.” It’s the voice of despair that whispers lies about who you are and what’s possible for your future. But it’s not the whole story—it’s just where you are right now.

Healing Is Possible

In my work as an attachment-based Emotionally Focused Therapist, I understand how anxiety and depression can feel like uninvited companions in your life. They can shape how you see yourself, how you relate to others, and how you experience the world. But here’s the truth: they don’t have to define you.

Anxiety often comes from unmet needs for safety, certainty, and connection. Depression can emerge from feelings of disconnection, unprocessed loss, or the belief that you’re unworthy of love and belonging. Together, we’ll explore those roots, not just the symptoms.

In therapy, you’ll have a safe space to:

  • Understand the patterns and triggers fueling your anxiety and depression.

  • Explore the emotional wounds and attachment needs underlying your experiences.

  • Learn how to regulate overwhelming emotions and find calm, even in the storm.

  • Rediscover joy, connection, and hope for the future.

You don’t have to face this alone. Healing is possible, and it starts with one brave step—reaching out.

How EFIT Can Help With Anxiety and Depression

  • Regain Control of Your Emotions

    • Learn to identify and manage overwhelming feelings like fear, sadness, or worry.

    • Develop tools to navigate your emotions with ease, leading to greater stability and resilience.

  • Deepen Your Self-Understanding

    • Explore how past experiences and attachment patterns shape your current emotions.

    • Break free from old cycles that contribute to anxiety and depression.

  • Strengthen Your Relationships

    • Heal attachment wounds and build more secure, fulfilling connections.

    • Address the strain anxiety and depression can place on your relationships, fostering deeper support and trust.

  • Reduce Symptoms, Feel Lighter

    • Work through the root causes of your distress for lasting relief.

    • Experience significant improvements in your mental health and overall quality of life.

Healing is possible, and EFIT offers a clear path to help you move forward. Let’s take the first step together.

Who can benefit from EFIT?

EFIT is suitable for individuals experiencing a range of anxiety and depressive disorders, including:

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) offers a powerful approach to treating anxiety and depressive disorders by addressing the core emotional experiences that drive these conditions. Through EFIT, individuals can achieve greater emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healthier relationships, significantly reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, EFIT might be the right approach for you to achieve lasting change and emotional well-being.

I’d love to help you too. Click here to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation