Raven Waterman- RW Psychotherapy LCSW-R

My work is grounded in evidence‑based anxiety therapy approaches commonly used by anxiety therapists in NYC, including trauma‑informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure‑based strategies. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, the focus is on helping you relate differently to uncertainty and discomfort so anxiety has less influence over time. As we work together, we may also explore how ongoing stress responses connect to earlier experiences, pressure, or relational patterns.

Depression doesn’t always look like constant sadness. Many clients describe their world getting smaller, withdrawing more from people and activities, or a feeling of going through the day without much engagement. Others notice the sense of not feeling much of anything, even as they continue to function. Grief can be part of this picture as well, whether related to the loss of a person, a relationship, a role, or a future you expected.

I am a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional trained in using Exposure and Response Prevention Treatment.

Much of the trauma I work with is relational and attachment‑based. It develops through early and ongoing life experiences, often within families, caregivers, or close relationships, and doesn’t require a single dramatic event. Emotional neglect, inconsistent caregiving, being relied on for emotional support as a child, or growing up feeling unseen or responsible for others can shape how you relate to yourself and to the people around you.

For many clients, anxiety isn’t limited to current circumstances. It is often shaped by earlier experiences that required staying alert, performing well, or managing uncertainty without much support. Over time, these ways of responding can become familiar patterns, even when they no longer reduce pressure or make things feel more manageable.

Internal Family Systems can support client in understanding how relational experiences have impacted your nervous system, emotional development. I utilize IFS to guide client's through exploring the way these experiences show up as parts of their internal system and ways they can develop healthier belief systems that can alleviate emotional tension.

When something difficult happens (especially early in life or repeatedly) the brain can store it in a way that keeps it feeling present. EMDR helps the brain revisit those experiences in a safe, more supported way so they no longer carry the same emotional or physical charge. With EMDR, people often notice that memories feel less intense, reactions soften, and old beliefs about themselves begin to shift as the brain learns to respond to the memory in a new, less reactive way.

When something difficult happens (especially early in life or repeatedly) the brain can store it in a way that keeps it feeling present. EMDR helps the brain revisit those experiences in a safe, more supported way so they no longer carry the same emotional or physical charge. With EMDR, people often notice that memories feel less intense, reactions soften, and old beliefs about themselves begin to shift as the brain learns to respond to the memory in a new, less reactive way.