Therapy for High-Functioning Anxiety

A smiling woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a white blazer over a red top, standing against a plain white background.

Dr. Crystal Benjamin, PhD., CFLE Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy - Associate (Supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S)

I help high-functioning individuals manage anxiety without losing their drive.

You’re high-functioning on the outside but holding it together by a thread on the inside.
You’re tired, but sleep doesn’t help.
You try to focus, but your brain feels foggy.
You push through, but you’re overwhelmed, on edge, and easily triggered.

Maybe you’ve started to wonder if this is just how life will always feel — heavy, disconnected, and exhausting.

It’s not.

These symptoms aren’t personal flaws. They’re signals from your nervous system asking for care, not criticism

  • They lie awake at night, unable to turn off their thoughts no matter how tired they are. (probably your current situation?)

  • Intrusive worries keep them in a constant loop of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios.

  • They procrastinate on things that matter—then criticize themselves for it.

  • They feel disconnected from their partner, family, or friends, even while showing up for everyone else.

  • Their body starts signaling what their mind keeps pushing through—fatigue, tension, or other health issues tied to stress.

If you’re feeling alone, exhausted, and wondering why nothing seems to be working, even though you've tried so hard, you might be in the right place to start something different.

Clients Come To Me When

Why Therapy With me Works

It starts with connection. I focus on creating a space where you feel comfortable being fully yourself—no pressure to have it all together. From the very beginning, I’m paying close attention to what you’re sharing, how you're feeling, and what might be getting in the way. I use ongoing assessment tools (nothing scary!) to make sure I really understand what’s going on beneath the surface, so I can offer support and recommendations that are actually helpful, not just generic advice, but things rooted in best practices and tailored to you. I also take time to learn about your health history, because I deeply believe in the connection between the mind and body; what you’re carrying emotionally often shows up physically, and we don’t ignore that here.

Therapy Techniques I Use

My approach to working with persons living with high-functioning anxiety uses a blend of evidence-based practices including the following:

  • Solution Focused Therapy -  to help you identify what’s already working, build on your strengths, and create meaningful shifts, one small, doable step at a time

  • Narrative Therapy – to rewrite the old stories that no longer serve you

  • Mindfulness – to help you tune into your body as an ally in healing

You won’t get clichés or surface-level advice. You’ll get real support that’s thoughtful, emotionally safe, and tailored to your unique story.

Results From
Therapy With Me

After therapy, you may experience:

  • A quieter inner critic and a more compassionate inner voice

  • Confidence in your decisions, boundaries, and sense of self

  • Emotional and physical relief; more clarity and less tension

  • A sense of safety in your own body and mind

  • The ability to rest, speak, and show up without apology

    These changes are often subtle but meaningful; like being able to enjoy stillness, respond instead of react, or notice that old patterns no longer hold the same power.

A woman with dark hair styled in an updo, wearing a white blazer over a red top, smiling confidently against a dark gray background.

About Dr. Benjamin

I’m not here to fix you—because you were never broken.

I’m Dr. Crystal Benjamin, a licensed marriage and family therapist associate (supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S) educator with over 8 years of direct client experience and more than 15 years in the mental health field. I’ve supported individuals, couples, and professionals navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, relational wounds, and life transitions.

Education, Credentials,
& Trainings

  • Education

    • Ph.D. in Family Studies, Loma Linda University

    • M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University

    • B.S. in Behavioral Sciences with an Emphasis in Psychology, Andrews University

    • A.S. in General Business, Andrews University

  • Credentials

    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate – Texas License No. 206086 (Supervised by Julia Wesley, LMFT-S)

    • Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)

  • Trainings

    • Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 & Level 2

    • Gottman Method: Treating Affairs and Trauma

    • Youth Mental Health First Aid USA

Therapy FAQs

  • I’m based in Texas and also provide therapy to clients residing in Trinidad and Tobago. All sessions are currently held online through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, making therapy accessible wherever you are.

  • At this time, I offer virtual sessions only to clients across Texas and Trinidad & Tobago. This allows for greater flexibility and accessibility while still providing a safe, deeply connected space to do meaningful work together.

  • There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.
    Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and the length of time depends on your goals, your history, and how ready you feel to engage in the work.

    Some clients come for short-term support around a specific challenge. Others stay longer to unravel patterns that have taken years to build. Many find that the deeper they go, the more they begin to uncover not just pain, but possibility.

    We’ll check in regularly about your progress and goals. My role is to walk with you, not rush you. Healing happens at your pace, and your commitment to showing up for yourself is already a powerful beginning.

    You’re also welcome to pause therapy when life requires it and return when you’re ready. This space will always be here to support your growth, not your perfection.

Two people exchanging coffee mugs at a white table with a potted plant in the background.

You’ve spent years being the strong one. The one who holds it all together, who pushes through, who rarely asks for help. But even the most capable people carry invisible weight. And quietly, it’s been costing you your peace, your joy, your sense of self.

If reaching out brings up guilt or shame, you’re not alone. People living with high-functioning anxiety often feel like they should have it all figured out. But needing support doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human. This isn’t about breaking down. It’s about choosing yourself, maybe for the first time.

Therapy is a bold and grounded act of self-trust. And you don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to begin.

Ready for a different kind of support? Let’s start with a complimentary consultation.

Getting Started Together