Worry and mental rehearsal
Persistent forecasting, replaying, researching, or preparing that never quite produces a sense of certainty.
Therapy for anxiety in Atlanta
For stress, worry, and a mind that rarely feels off duty.
Together, we can understand the cycles that keep worry moving and develop more flexible ways of responding to uncertainty, pressure, and self-criticism.
- Consultation
- The initial consultation is free and typically lasts 15 minutes. I will respond within 24 hours.
- Sessions
- In person in Atlanta, or telehealth for clients physically located in Georgia.
- Payment
- Private pay. Insurance is not accepted.
Alireza Ehteshami, Ph.D., Pre-Licensed Professional in Clinical Psychology, practicing under the supervision of Craig Kerley, Psy.D., Georgia license PSY002840.
Where therapy can begin
Overthinking can feel like preparation—even when it leaves you less able to act.
Anxiety often recruits the mind into constant work: anticipating what could go wrong, replaying what already happened, or searching for the one decision that will remove uncertainty. The effort may be exhausting, but stepping away from it can feel risky.
Therapy can help us understand what worry, avoidance, perfectionism, or reassurance-seeking is trying to accomplish. Rather than arguing with every anxious thought, we can work toward responding with greater flexibility and trust in your ability to handle what comes next.
Your clinician
I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Emory University and completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship through Emory University School of Medicine’s Child, Adolescent & Young Adult Psychiatry program.
I am completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Perimeter Mood & Anxiety Program. I draw from evidence-based treatments including CBT, ACT, and DBT, selecting methods according to each person’s needs rather than applying a single formula.
Supervision
I am a Pre-Licensed Professional in Clinical Psychology. I provide clinical services under the supervision of Craig Kerley, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in Georgia, license number PSY002840.
How anxiety can take up space
Anxiety is not only a thought or feeling. It can shape attention, decisions, relationships, and the standards you believe you must meet.
Perfectionism and pressure
Standards that help you accomplish a great deal while making mistakes, rest, or ordinary uncertainty hard to tolerate.
Avoidance and reassurance
Short-term strategies that lower anxiety in the moment but gradually make situations or decisions feel more difficult.
How I work
The goal is not to eliminate uncertainty. It is to become less governed by it.
I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), adapting the work to the way anxiety operates in your life rather than applying a single script.
Map the cycle
We identify triggers, anxious predictions, coping responses, and the consequences that keep a pattern going.
Practice a different response
The work may include approaching uncertainty, loosening rigid standards, or making room for discomfort while acting on what matters.
Keep context in view
We consider how relationships, responsibilities, identity, and earlier experiences influence what currently feels threatening.
Common questions
If your question is not covered here, you are welcome to bring it to our initial conversation.
Can therapy help if I appear calm or successful to other people?
Yes. Anxiety is not always visible. Some people manage it through preparation, achievement, control, or avoiding situations where uncertainty might show. Therapy can address the internal cost even when life looks composed from the outside.
Will therapy only focus on coping skills?
Practical strategies can be useful, but they are not the whole of the work. We can also examine what gives anxiety its force, how it interacts with self-criticism or relationships, and what a more flexible response would make possible.
Do I need an anxiety diagnosis before reaching out?
No. You can begin with the experiences you have noticed—such as worry, tension, avoidance, perfectionism, or overthinking. The initial consultation helps us consider whether my services fit what you are looking for.
Begin with a brief conversation
The initial consultation is free and typically lasts 15 minutes. I will respond within 24 hours. This form does not ask for clinical or medical information.
- Practice
- Perimeter Mood & Anxiety Program
- Telehealth
- For clients physically located in Georgia
You are welcome to share your name, preferred contact method, and general availability. To support HIPAA privacy safeguards, please do not include sensitive clinical or medical information in this form.
This form is not monitored for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In the United States, call or text 988.