High-Functioning Anxiety & Performance-Based Stress
When work feels like constant pressure you can’t escape.
High-pressure careers can put a strain on your mental health and your relationships.
I am here to help.
As a Clinical Psychologist and fellow high achiever, I get what it takes to overcome career stress. Do you spend hours thinking about work at the end of the day? Overthink interactions well after they ended or plan for ones that will probably never occur? Feel an adrenaline spike when a message comes in?
Or are you afraid to take a break, fearing that stepping away even for a moment will lead to things falling apart?
Somedays days feel like a tightrope. Despite your accomplishments, there’s a lingering sense of inadequacy, an unshakable fear that it could all come crashing down. Your identity is tied to your work, and it’s become exhausting.
You’re not alone in feeling this way. Many high achievers face these struggles, and there is a way out.
Let Me Help You With:
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High-pressure roles often lead to persistent stress, making individuals susceptible to burnout, which can affect both their mental and physical health.
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Struggling to find a balance between professional and personal lives, often sacrificing relationships and self-care.
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Feelings of inadequacy, despite your achievements, leading to anxiety and self-doubt.
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Constantly making high-stakes decisions that lead to mental exhaustion and reduced cognitive performance.
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High emotional demands from clients or colleagues that leave you feeling drained and unable to engage meaningfully with others.
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The intertwining of career and personal identity creating a misalignment between your core values and your day-to-day work.
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Coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs used as a way to seek relief from stress, potentially leading to addiction.
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The expectation to consistently perform at a high level which creates ongoing anxiety and leads to a fear of underperforming.
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Managing the expectations of demanding clients and colleagues that only exacerbate stress and lead to feelings of inadequacy.
My Therapy For Career Stress
Builds On Your Existing Strengths
In our work together, you’ll gain tools to manage your anxiety and rebuild a healthier relationship with work. Using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), and mindfulness techniques.
Here’s what our therapy journey involves:
Understanding Your Story: We’ll explore how your identity has been shaped by the pressures of your career and help you see beyond the fear of failure.
Managing Anxiety: Together, we’ll develop techniques to control overthinking and anxiety. You’ll learn how to switch off from work and regain a sense of peace.
Behavioral Strategies: Through structured interventions, we’ll address the thought patterns and behaviors that fuel imposter syndrome, allowing you to detach from work-related stress.
Reclaiming Balance: You’ll learn how to set boundaries that protect your mental and emotional well-being, without compromising your professional success.
Therapy for High-Achievers That Yields Results
My therapy is designed to help professionals in high-stress careers unpack the deeper issues that drive anxiety and burnout.
Together, we’ll explore:
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It’s never really just about the ping or the next big project. Anxiety often masks deeper emotions like fear of failure, imposter syndrome, or unresolved perfectionism. By understanding the root of your anxiety, we’ll develop healthier ways to manage them.
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Your professional life has shaped who you are, but it doesn’t have to define your identity. We’ll dive into the ways your career influences your self-worth, relationships, and well-being, helping you rewrite the narrative to find balance.
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Setting clear boundaries with work, managing your time effectively, and giving yourself permission to unplug are crucial for your mental health. I’ll guide you through actionable strategies to help you maintain professional success without sacrificing your personal life.
About Dr. Angela Karras
As a Psy.D., I’m very familiar with the pressures of being a high-achieving, career-oriented individual. It’s an experience I’ve shared, and I understand the toll it can take on your mental and emotional well-being. The constant drive for success, fear of failure, and the struggle to maintain work-life balance can become overwhelming.
My passion for helping others in similar high-stress careers is driven by my own experience as an entrepreneur and specialized training in treating work-related anxiety. I provide therapy that combines evidence-based techniques like CBT with psychodynamic approaches to create real, lasting change.
You don’t have to let work control your life.
Outside of owning my own therapy practice, I love being in nature, going camping and walks in the park. And I also have a dog Niko - who will occasionally pop in during virtual therapy sessions.
Reach out for a free consultation today, and let’s start your journey to unwinding.
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from William James College
Licensed in Massachusetts and New York
Experience working with high-stress professionals, adolescents, and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and self-esteem and eating disorders.