Being the person who can handle anything gets exhausting when you never get to stop.
Online therapy for lawyers and other professionals in Washington, D.C., dealing with anxiety, burnout, insomnia, and the pressure to constantly perform.
You Know How to Work Under Pressure
You've built a career around being informed, prepared, and capable of handling complicated situations.
People depend on you to think clearly, anticipate problems, and get things done.
Those are valuable skills.
The trouble starts when your brain doesn't seem to understand that the workday is over.
You're still thinking about a conversation from earlier. You're reviewing something you submitted yesterday. You're wondering whether you should respond to the email that arrived during dinner.
And when nothing actually needs your attention, you find something to worry about anyway.
I work with professionals in Washington, D.C., who have become very good at operating under pressure and aren't quite sure how to turn it off.
If that sounds familiar, you're exactly the kind of person I work with.
When Your Career Starts Taking Up More Space Than You Intended
In demanding professional environments, long hours and constant availability can become normal surprisingly quickly.
You adjust to the workload. Then you adjust to the next increase.
Eventually, you may stop noticing how much of your life revolves around being ready for whatever happens next.
For attorneys, that pressure may come from billable targets, client expectations, or the demands of moving toward partnership.
For other professionals, it may involve leadership responsibilities, difficult decisions, or a workplace culture where everyone seems to be working all the time.
Either way, the effects can look pretty similar.
You have trouble sleeping. Your patience is shorter. You feel guilty when you're not being productive, even when there's nothing urgent to do.
And because you're successful, you're not entirely convinced there's a problem.
I think that's worth looking at.
What We Can Work On in Therapy
High-Functioning Anxiety
Anxiety doesn't always interfere with your ability to perform.
Sometimes it's part of what drives you to prepare so thoroughly in the first place.
But there's a difference between being prepared and feeling like you can never be prepared enough.
If you're constantly checking your work, second-guessing decisions, or anticipating everything that could go wrong, high-functioning anxiety therapy can help.
We work on identifying what's maintaining the anxiety and practicing more effective ways to respond.
Burnout and Professional Exhaustion
Burnout can develop so gradually that you don't recognize how exhausted you've become.
You may still enjoy parts of your work while feeling increasingly detached, overwhelmed, or resentful of the demands on your time.
In burnout therapy, we look at what your environment actually requires, where you've taken on additional expectations, and what changes might be realistic.
I'm not going to tell you to turn off your phone at five if your professional obligations make that impossible.
We work with the circumstances you're actually living in.
High-Functioning Depression
You can be professionally successful and still experience depression.
Sometimes it looks like a persistent low mood. Other times, it's irritability, emotional flatness, or finding very little enjoyment in things that used to matter to you.
High-functioning depression therapy focuses on understanding what's contributing to those symptoms and helping you reconnect with meaningful activities and relationships.
Insomnia and Racing Thoughts
If you're physically exhausted but mentally alert every night, you've probably already tried some version of a better bedtime routine.
And if that hasn't helped, you may be getting frustrated with yourself for not being able to do something that seems so simple.
I provide CBT-I for chronic insomnia, a structured treatment that addresses the habits and thought patterns interfering with sleep.
Why Work With Me?
I'm Yael Eiserike, a former attorney turned Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
I passed the California Bar and practiced employment defense litigation before becoming a therapist.
I know what it's like to work in an environment where being prepared isn't optional and admitting you're overwhelmed can feel professionally risky.
My approach is direct, structured, and practical.
We identify the problem, understand what's keeping it going, and develop specific strategies you can use between sessions.
You don't have to spend half your appointment explaining why your job is demanding. And you don't have to defend the fact that you still care about your career.
I'm not here to tell you what you should want.
I'm here to help you figure out what's working, what isn't, and what you can realistically change.
Online Therapy for Washington, D.C. Residents
All sessions take place through secure video for clients physically located in Washington, D.C.
Sessions are available in English and Spanish.
I'm an out-of-network provider and can help you explore potential insurance reimbursement.
I also provide online therapy to clients in California and Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer online therapy in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. I'm licensed to provide therapy to clients located in Washington, D.C., and all sessions take place through secure telehealth.
Do you specialize in working with lawyers?
Yes. My background as a former attorney informs my work with lawyers at different stages of their careers. I also work with professionals outside the legal field.
Do I need a mental health diagnosis to start therapy?
No. You can seek therapy to better understand anxiety, chronic stress, perfectionism, or patterns that are affecting your well-being. We can discuss your concerns and determine what kind of support makes sense.
You Can Care About Your Career Without Letting It Take Over
You've worked hard to get where you are. I understand that.
But being successful professionally doesn't mean you should have to spend the rest of your life feeling exhausted.
If you're looking for online therapy in Washington, D.C., I'd be glad to talk about what's been going on.
Schedule a consultation to see whether working together is a good fit.
