Anxiety Therapy in Alexandria, VA for Women and Adults in Midlife Who Are Ready to Feel Like Themselves Again

Something feels off — and it's hard to explain. You may be managing your days, showing up where you need to, and keeping things moving. But underneath, there's a persistent hum of pressure that won't quiet down. A sense of being stretched thin, on edge, or just not quite like yourself.

Anxiety in midlife can look different for different people. For some, it's mostly internal — racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, a feeling of dread that doesn't have a clear source. For others, it's visible in the exhaustion of holding too much for too long. Some people look completely fine from the outside. Others know something is wrong and just haven't found the right support yet.

Whatever it looks like for you, it deserves attention.

How Anxiety Shows Up

You might be experiencing:

• Racing thoughts or difficulty slowing down

• Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that used to feel manageable

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

• Irritability or emotional sensitivity

• Physical tension or restlessness

• A sense of being "on edge" without knowing why

How I Work

My approach is calm, relational, and insight-oriented. Together, we explore what's fueling the anxiety — the expectations, pressures, and long-standing patterns that have built up over time. We look at what feels unsustainable and what might support a more grounded way of moving through your days.

Therapy Can Help You

• Understand what's driving your anxiety

• Develop tools that fit your temperament and life

• Create more space and clarity internally

• Feel steadier and more supported

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for anxiety to get worse in midlife?

Yes, and it's more common than people realize. Midlife often brings a convergence of stressors — career pressure, aging parents, shifting relationships, hormonal changes, accumulated responsibility — that can tip the balance even for people who have always managed well. It doesn't mean something is permanently wrong. It means there's more going on than your usual coping strategies were built for.

I've been anxious my whole life. Can therapy actually change that?

Yes — though the goal isn't to eliminate anxiety entirely, which isn't realistic or even desirable. Anxiety is information. Therapy helps you understand what's driving it, develop more effective ways of responding to it, and reduce the chronic baseline that's been wearing you down. Many people who have lived with anxiety for years find that it shifts significantly with the right support.

What kind of therapy do you offer?

Susan Maguire provides individual therapy for adults in midlife, with a focus on anxiety, depression, life transitions and buarnout. Sessions are available in person in Old Town Alexandria, VA and via telehealth across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

I don't want to just be handed breathing exercises. Is that what therapy is?

Not in my practice. While some tools and techniques have their place, the work I do goes deeper — exploring the patterns, pressures, and experiences that are fueling the anxiety in the first place. Understanding the roots of your anxiety is what creates lasting change, not just symptom management.

How do I know if what I'm feeling is anxiety or just stress?

The line between them can blur, and honestly the distinction matters less than the impact. If what you're carrying is affecting your sleep, your focus, your relationships, or your sense of self — that's worth addressing, whatever we call it.

Schedule a Consultation

A brief 15-minute call to see whether working together feels like a good fit.