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For many New Yorkers, life after the pandemic has not meant a simple return to normal. Even as offices fill up and social calendars resume, a quiet undercurrent of anxiety persists. People report feelings of unease in crowded spaces, guilt about preferring solitude, and stress over lost time or shifting priorities. According to the American Psychological Association (APA, 2022), more than one-third of adults said returning to in-person interactions felt stressful.

Even healthy families experience conflict. Between school pressures, social media, work demands, and New York City’s fast pace, everyday stress can quickly turn into repeating arguments, silent stand-offs, or power struggles. When patterns get stuck—slamming doors, constant negotiations, or the “same fight” on repeat—most parents don’t need more advice; they need a plan. Evidence-based family therapy offers structured skills to calm emotions, improve cooperation, and rebuild

If you’re a high-achieving professional, you likely pride yourself on delivering results, anticipating problems, and setting a high bar for yourself and your team. Those strengths can also become stress traps—fueling perfectionism, overwork, and a constant sense that “it’s never enough.” Over time, the combination of unrelenting standards, round-the-clock availability, and fear of failure increases risk for anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and burnout (Hewitt & Flett, 1991;

Introduction Most people know what it feels like to get stuck in their thoughts—replaying a conversation, worrying about an upcoming decision, or analyzing what could go wrong. But for some, the mental loops go beyond typical “overthinking.” They can become intrusive, distressing, and repetitive in ways that interfere with daily life. At Upper East Side Psychology, we often hear clients ask: “Is this just overthinking, or is it OCD?” Understanding the difference between the t

Introduction Teenagers today are growing up in a world filled with academic pressures, social challenges, and global stressors—from competitive school environments to the constant stream of news on social media. While stress is a natural part of development, prolonged stress without healthy coping strategies can increase vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and burnout. The good news is that resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity—can be taught and strengthened.

Learn how attachment styles impact love, connection, and conflict in relationships. Explore anxious, avoidant, secure, and disorganized attachment with insights from Upper East Side Psychology.

Learn how attachment styles impact love, connection, and conflict in relationships. Explore anxious, avoidant, secure, and disorganized attachment with insights from Upper East Side Psychology.

Learn about the long-term effects of childhood emotional neglect and how therapy can help you heal. Upper East Side Psychology offers trauma-informed therapy in NYC.

In fast-paced cities like New York, ambition and achievement often come at a cost. High-achieving professionals—executives, lawyers, medical providers, entrepreneurs, and creatives—may appear outwardly successful but struggle internally with burnout, a condition marked by emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced performance (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Unlike everyday stress, burnout is chronic and overwhelming, often blurring into depression if left unaddressed.

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that trigger physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. Many people describe feeling out of control or fearing something terrible will happen. While panic attacks are not life-threatening, they can feel overwhelming and interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.

Learn about high-functioning depression, also called smiling depression. Discover the hidden symptoms, how it impacts professionals, and how therapy in NYC can help.

Discover how adult ADHD affects focus, relationships, and daily life. Learn coping strategies, executive functioning support, and therapy options in NYC. Keywords: adult ADHD therapy NYC, ADHD executive functioning support, ADHD and relationships, ADHD coping skills.

Learn how couples therapy in NYC can improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships. Discover evidence-based strategies for healthier partnerships.

Perfectionism often hides behind phrases like “I just want to do my best” or “I hold myself to high standards.” While striving for excellence can be motivating, perfectionism becomes harmful when it leads to chronic stress, anxiety, or feelings of never being good enough. Many professionals in New York City—especially those in demanding, high-pressure fields—find themselves stuck in this exhausting cycle.

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for today’s teens. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat can help adolescents stay connected with friends, discover new ideas, and express creativity. However, research increasingly shows a connection between heavy social media use and teen mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, body image struggles, and sleep problems (Twenge & Farley, 2021). For parents, the challenge lies in striking a balan

From the outside, people with high-functioning anxiety seem to “have it all together.” They excel in their careers, keep up appearances socially, and often appear organized, reliable, and successful. But beneath the surface, they may feel overwhelmed, restless, and constantly driven by worry or fear of failure.

Learn the difference between toxic and healthy relationships. Discover signs of emotional abuse, healthy conflict, and how therapy can help couples and individuals build secure dynamics.

Learn how to manage rejection sensitivity (RSD) with evidence-based strategies. Support for ADHD, trauma, and emotional sensitivity from Upper East Side Psychology.

Nervous about starting therapy? Learn what happens in your first therapy session, what to expect during the intake process, and how therapy works—so you can start with confidence.

Learn expert-backed strategies to support a teen struggling with anxiety or depression. Find out how adolescent therapy in NYC can help your child thrive.