Understanding & Treating Anxiety

Anxiety affects millions of people. Whether you experience persistent worry (GAD), panic attacks, social anxiety, specific phobias, or health anxiety, evidence-based therapy can help you understand your anxiety's roots and develop lasting skills to manage symptoms. Robert Romano, LCSW, specializes in anxiety treatment across Fairfield County with proven approaches including CBT, EMDR, DBT, and mindfulness.

You don't have to live with anxiety controlling your life. With the right therapeutic approach and a skilled therapist, you can reduce anxiety's grip, feel calmer and more confident, and reclaim activities anxiety has limited.

Types of Anxiety & How They Show Up

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent, excessive worry about work, health, relationships, finances, or everyday situations. Difficult to control. Often accompanied by physical symptoms (tension, fatigue, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating). GAD responds well to CBT and mindfulness-based approaches.

Panic Disorder

Sudden, intense fear episodes (panic attacks) with physical symptoms—racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, sense of doom. Often leads to avoidance and fear of future attacks. Therapy teaches your nervous system panic is not dangerous.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations, judgment, or embarrassment. May avoid public speaking, meetings, social gatherings. CBT and gradual exposure help reduce social anxiety through retraining your nervous system's threat response.

Specific Phobias

Extreme fear of particular objects or situations (flying, driving, heights, animals, medical procedures). Often avoidance-based. Exposure-based therapy and EMDR help your brain learn safety and reduce phobic anxiety.

Health Anxiety (Hypochondria)

Preoccupation with having or getting a serious illness despite medical reassurance. Constant symptom checking and health-seeking behavior. CBT addresses the anxiety-maintaining patterns underlying health preoccupation.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT identifies and challenges anxiety-maintaining thought patterns. You learn that anxious thoughts are not facts, then gradually expose yourself to feared situations in a graded, supported way. Your nervous system learns safety through repeated, safe exposure.

EMDR

When anxiety is tied to traumatic memories or difficult past experiences, EMDR reprocesses those memories, reducing their emotional charge and the anxiety they trigger. Rapid processing often means fewer sessions than traditional therapy.

DBT Skills Training

DBT teaches specific skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Valuable when anxiety is paired with intense emotions or self-soothing struggles.

Mindfulness & Somatic Practices

Grounding, breathwork, body awareness, and mindfulness help calm your nervous system and reconnect you to the present moment. Paired with CBT or EMDR for sustained anxiety reduction.

Why Choose Robert for Anxiety Treatment?

  • +Licensed & Credentialed: LCSW CT, EMDRIA EMDR Certified, Behavioral Tech DBT Certified, IFS-trained.
  • +Multiple Evidence-Based Approaches: Robert fluently integrates CBT, EMDR, DBT, and mindfulness—choosing what works best for your anxiety.
  • +Whole-Person Perspective: Addresses body, mind, and nervous system—not just symptom management, but sustainable anxiety reduction.
  • +Accessible Locations & Telehealth: Darien, Westport, and telehealth throughout Fairfield County and Connecticut.

Begin Anxiety Treatment Today

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation where Robert listens to your anxiety story and explores whether his approach is right for you.

Phone: 203.654.9094

Email: LCSW@robromano.com

Offices: Darien & Westport | Telehealth: Throughout Connecticut

Start Your Anxiety Treatment Journey