Specialized trauma informed Therapy for women and teen girls
Trauma Therapy and Anxiety Therapy in topsfield Mass
-a Mind-Body Holistic Approach for the Deepest Healing-
Anxiety and Trauma Therapy (In Person & Virtual) using Effective, Research-Backed Methods.
I am honored to witness my current and past clients achieve lasting transformation with my holistic multi-modal. approach.
CHANGE is possible
It’s okay to not be okay! I am here to tell you that there is hope...
You may feel anxious, restless, on-edge, noticing that you are often over-thinking and second-guessing your day-to-day decisions. Maybe deep down, you feel different or not good enough to be prioritized or loved, worrying that something bad could happen to you or your loved ones, or that you will be left alone, rejected or betrayed. Sometimes this can show up as physical feelings rather than thoughts such a dreaded pit in your stomach, shaky limbs or nausea: a felt sense that something is wrong
Feeling misunderstood or judged can add to your pain. You are not sure if you will ever be able to feel "better", "enough" or "normal" again.
I completely understand and I want you to know that you don’t have to carry these burdens alone. Therapy can help you to face your days with a sense of internal peace and confidence and learn new ways of relating to the world, others and yourself that work for you instead of agaist you. Together we can implement evidence-based treatment strategies to help address your anxiety while improving your well-being and confidence in relationships. Learn more about my Specialized Anxiety Therapy and Specialized treatment of Trauma-related distress.
I completely understand and I want you to know that you don’t have to carry these burdens alone. Therapy can help you to face your days with a sense of internal peace and confidence and learn new ways of relating to the world, others and yourself that work for you instead of agaist you. Together we can implement evidence-based treatment strategies to help address your anxiety while improving your well-being and confidence in relationships. Learn more about my Specialized Anxiety Therapy and Specialized treatment of Trauma-related distress.
As a seasoned therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma (with over 15 years of experience) I specialize in supporting teens, women, and mothers facing anxiety and trauma to take back control of their lives, emotions, and relationships. I understand firsthand how hard it can be to navigate these challenges.
I believe that You are the expert of your life, with the innate strength to grow and thrive.
Learn more about me and my clinical modalities
- Together, we can explore how to harness your resilience for meaningful change.
Start your Journey to Emotional Freedom
My Training and Expertise is Likely a Great Fit for You if You:
- Have difficulty trusting your judgment, second-guessing your own decisions.
- Have tension, low energy, or feeling out of touch with your emotions, body or physical needs.
- Feel anxious, jittery or triggered by things that used to feel safe and avoid certain places, people, or situations.
- Struggle to trust others and the world, particularly in relationships.
- Struggle with intrusive worries about your future, safety or the safety of loved ones, feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what's ahead.
- Find it hard to set boundaries with others, leading to burnout or resentment, because you fear letting people down.
- Feel trapped in a cycle of overthinking, constantly replaying conversations, events, or “what-ifs,” making it hard to focus or feel at peace.
- Endure physical symptoms of anxiety, like a racing heart, tight chest, or difficulty breathing.
- Notice that you have feelings of shame, guilt or self-blame.
- Experience mood swings, irritability, or intense emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation.
- Fear that failure means you're not worthy or capable.
About My Methods
I am not the kind of therapist who will just give you cookie-cutter coping skills, expecting that to solve the problem. I am here to provide a more goal-oriented and holistic approach that has led to lasting change for many of my clients. If you have a foundation of skills from past therapy, then we can build off of those by delving more deeply into exploring the root cause of your suffering.
What do I mean by "Holistic Approach"?
Since Anxiety and Trauma manifest in our bodies both psychologically and physically, we will target both avenues in our work together to help you address the root cause of your emotional pain. My multi-modal approach includes nutrition, sleep, somatic and cognitive strategies to ensure no stone lies unturned. Click here to see some of the modalities we can use.
Why do I have Anxiety?
Every one's reasons for having anxiety are different and unique. However, therapists and the field of psychology best understand anxiety as a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, past trauma, or ongoing stress in daily life. Sometimes it shows up as racing thoughts, panic, or constant worry, even when nothing seems “wrong.” For women and teen girls especially, anxiety is often linked to life transitions, trauma, relationships, or pressure to succeed in motherhood or career aspirations. The good news is anxiety disorders are highly treatable with therapy. At North Shore Therapy, I specialize in helping women and teens in Massachusetts find relief from anxiety and regain balance.
What type of approach do you take to treat Anxiety and Trauma symptoms?
That is a great question! My recent blog post on "top-down" versus "bottom-up" approaches will help explain this for you. Additionally, feel free to check out my "about me" page to learn more about my methods and style.
How do I know if I have an Anxiety or Trauma Disorder?
You can learn about types of Anxiety Disorders and Trauma Disorders on my Services Page. If these symptoms resonate with you and you notice they are getting in the way of you being at to do things you want to do or need to do, then you may be experiencing an anxiety or trauma disorder. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (like myself) can discuss your concerns, complete an assessment and let you know if you meet the criteria for (and diagnose) an Anxiety or Trauma Disorder.
Can I receive therapy even if I don't have an Anxiety or Trauma Disorder?
Absolutely! In fact, this is one of the main reasons I do not take insurance. Insurance companies will only cover therapy if someone has a mental health diagnosis. They seek to terminate therapy as soon as that person no longer meets the criteria for that disorder, which is not client/human-centered. And frankly, I find it harmful. I truly believe that everyone can benefit from having a confidential and compassionate adult to help them process life's ups and downs and learn skills to ride the waves that come our way. And every person should decide for themselves, together with their therapist, when their therapy should start and stop.
Do you offer In-Person Therapy?
Absolutely! I provide therapy both virtually (to clients throughout Massachusetts) or in-person at my office in Topsfield, Massachusetts. My office is located at 58 Main Street Topsfield, MA 10983.
How long does therapy for anxiety or trauma usually take?
That's one of the most common questions people ask, and it's completely understandable to want to know what to expect. While I can't give you an exact number of sessions, I can tell you that the timeline for healing is unique to each person.
Therapy is a very personal journey, and the duration depends on many factors, including your individual goals, the specific nature of your anxiety or trauma, and the pace at which you feel comfortable working. Some people come to therapy for a few months to learn specific coping skills for a particular issue, while others find that longer-term therapy is more beneficial for deeper healing and personal growth. The focus of our work is always on your well-being, and we'll work at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and effective for you.
What is the difference between Anxiety and a Panic Attack?
Anxiety is more of a background feeling, while a panic attack is a sudden and all-consuming event. They can be related—a person with chronic anxiety might be more prone to panic attacks, but they are distinct experiences.
Anxiety is like a slow-burning fire. It's a feeling of worry, apprehension, and tension that can build up gradually over a long period—sometimes for hours, days, or even weeks. The feeling can be persistent and can feel like a knot in your stomach or a constant sense of unease.
A panic attack, on the other hand, is like an explosion. It's a sudden, intense surge of overwhelming fear or discomfort that comes on very quickly, usually peaking within about 10 minutes. During a panic attack, your body's "fight-or-flight" system goes into overdrive. This can cause very intense physical symptoms, like a racing heart, shortness of breath, trembling, dizziness, or a feeling of being detached from your body. People often feel a terrifying sense of losing control or that something catastrophic is about to happen.
Do you provide EMDR?
Yes! I do provide EMDR as well as another trauma processing modality (which is recommended as a first line therapy for PTSD by the American Psychological Association) called Cognitive Processing Therapy. I completed my EMDR training and consultation with an EMDRIA accredited program.
Where can I start?
I am glad you asked! You can book your free 15-minute Exploratory Call. I look forward to connecting with you!
Office for In-Person anxiety Therapy and trauma therapy sessions downtown Topsfield, MA
How it works
1. Free Exploratory Call
Schedule your free 15-minute exploratory call with Sarah Haugh, LMHC, to discuss your goals and learn more about the therapy process.
I am excited to hear from you! Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss anxiety therapy or trauma therapy in Topsfield, Ma or to simply pick my brain.
There is never a question too small!
2. Booking and Paperwork
Schedule our first appointment and complete paperwork with ease through our confidential client portal.
This is reviewed at our first session, so no need to worry about any questions you may have as there will be time set aside for this!
You may also reach out to me with any questions along the way before hand.
3. Attend your First Session
With your permission, I will conduct a detailed clinical assessment that considers your biology, psychology and social environment. This will help us to learn more about you and your goals for therapy to truly target the root cause of your suffering.
Together, we will create a plan that feels comfortable and attainable for you. And we will begin to tackle priorities.
4. Start your growth
Your journey begins!
You will develop specialized skills and tools so that you can learn how to manage emotions and hardships with enhanced strategies and a deeper awareness of your relationship with yourself and the world.
You can develop a sense of calm in your body and soul as you become empowered with patterns that work for you instead of against you.