When anxiety and depression impact your daily life, everything can feel overwhelming and exhausting. Simple tasks become mountains to climb, relationships feel strained, and the future seems uncertain. Whether you're a teen struggling with school pressure and social anxiety, a young adult navigating early career stress, or a parent watching your child suffer, effective, compassionate help is available in Dunwoody and the surrounding area.

I'm Ansley Rosamilia, and I specialize in helping individuals and families understand and manage anxiety and depression through warm, evidence-based therapy that honors your unique experience and builds on your existing strengths.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression in Young People

Anxiety and depression in teens and young adults often look different than in older adults. Academic pressure, social media comparison, uncertainty about the future, and the normal challenges of identity development can all contribute to mental health struggles. Add in family expectations, financial stress, or social pressures, and it's no wonder so many young people feel overwhelmed.

Depression might show up as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of hopelessness. Anxiety can manifest as constant worry, physical symptoms like racing heart or stomachaches, avoidance of situations that feel scary, or perfectionism that feels impossible to maintain.

A Gentle, Collaborative Approach

My approach to anxiety and depression therapy is gentle but effective. We start by understanding your specific experience — what anxiety and depression look like for you, what triggers them, and what situations or thoughts make them worse. Then we work together to develop practical strategies that fit your life and personality.

I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you understand the parts of yourself that are anxious or shut down, and what they're actually trying to protect. I also draw on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance, mindfulness and grounding techniques for managing overwhelming emotions, and family therapy approaches when family relationships are part of the picture.

Supporting the Whole Family

When a teen or young adult struggles with anxiety or depression, the whole family feels the impact. Parents often feel helpless, confused about how to provide support, or guilty about what they might have done wrong. Siblings may feel overlooked or worried about their family member.

I work with families to create understanding and develop strategies that support everyone. This might include helping parents learn how to respond to anxiety or depression symptoms, improving family communication, or addressing family patterns that inadvertently maintain mental health struggles.

Developing Long-Term Emotional Regulation Skills

While reducing current symptoms is important, our ultimate goal is helping you develop lasting skills for managing emotions and stress. This includes learning to recognize early warning signs of anxiety or depression, developing a toolkit of coping strategies that work for you, building resilience for handling future challenges, and creating lifestyle habits that support mental health.

We'll also work on building healthy relationships, improving self-advocacy skills, and developing a sense of hope and direction for your future. Mental health recovery isn't just about feeling better. It's about building a life that feels meaningful and sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need therapy for anxiety or depression?

If anxiety or depression symptoms are interfering with your daily life — affecting school performance, relationships, sleep, or your ability to enjoy activities — therapy can help. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from support. Many people find therapy most helpful when they're motivated to make changes rather than waiting until they feel completely overwhelmed.

Will my parents or spouse need to be involved in my therapy?

For teens, I typically include parents in some sessions while also providing individual space for you to process your experiences. The level of involvement depends on your age, the specific concerns, and what feels most helpful. For young adults, involvement from parents or a spouse is completely optional and based on your preferences.

How long will it take to feel better?

Many people start noticing small improvements within the first few weeks of therapy, though significant change typically takes several months of consistent work. The timeline depends on factors like how long you've been struggling, the severity of symptoms, and your commitment to practicing new skills. We'll regularly check in about your progress and adjust our approach as needed.