Anxiety Disorders Therapy in California
Compassionate, Evidence-Based Treatment for Adults and Older Teens
Anxiety can feel overwhelming. You might find yourself constantly worrying, avoiding situations that make you uncomfortable, or feeling tense and on edge even when there’s no clear danger.
Life can be stressful and we can all experience anxiety from time to time. Feeling anxious is a normal part of life. Many people experience anxiety in response to work or school deadlines, financial issues, or relationship problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worry or fear. The worry doesn’t go away. It spreads into many areas of your life. You may start changing your behavior to prevent feared outcomes. Over time, anxiety can begin to limit your work, relationships, and sense of freedom.
The good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. With the right approach, you can learn how to respond differently to anxiety and stop it from running your life.
Types of Anxiety Disorders I Treat:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Persistent, excessive worry about multiple areas of life
- Difficulty turning off or controlling worry
- Feeling keyed up, tense, or restless
- Worry interfering with work, school, or relationships
GAD often feels like your mind won’t “shut off.” Therapy helps you develop a different relationship with worry and reduce the behaviors that keep it going.
Social Anxiety
- Intense fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected
- Avoiding social or performance situations
- Replaying conversations afterward and criticizing yourself
- Significant anxiety when situations can’t be avoided
Social anxiety can shrink your world. Treatment helps you build confidence and gradually face situations you’ve been avoiding.
Specific Phobias
- Strong fear of specific situations or objects (flying, driving, needles, animals, heights, etc.)
- Avoidance of feared situations
- Intense anxiety when avoidance isn’t possible
Phobias are very responsive to exposure-based treatment. With structured support, you can retrain your brain and reduce fear.
Panic Disorder
- Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
- Fear about having another attack
- Avoiding situations where an attack might happen
If you’re struggling with panic attacks, you can learn more about my approach
My Approach to Anxiety Treatment
Evidence-Based Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is maintained by avoidance.
When we avoid what we fear, anxiety temporarily decreases. But in the long run, avoidance teaches your brain that the feared situation is dangerous and keeps the cycle going.
Treatment focuses on gradually helping you face fears in a structured, supportive way — so your brain can learn that you are safe and capable.
Therapy is collaborative, practical, and skills-based. You won’t just talk about anxiety, you’ll learn tools to change it.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is based on the idea that unhelpful thoughts and behaviors cause and maintain problems with mood.
CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You’ll learn how to:
- Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
- Change your relationship to distressing thoughts
- Gradually reduce avoidance behaviors
- Build skills that support your long-term goals
Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy involves gradually facing feared situations and objects.
Over time, your brain learns:
- Anxiety naturally rises and falls
- Feared outcomes are unlikely or manageable
- You can tolerate discomfort
Exposure is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people with OCD to change their relationship with their OCD symptoms and move towards a more values-driven life. ACT views thoughts and behaviors as adaptable and fluid.
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OCD Therapy in Los Altos, CA
I work with adults and older teens in California struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder, and OCD. Treatment is tailored to each person’s symptoms, values, and goals.
I offer in-person therapy in Los Altos and virtual therapy throughout California.
You can learn more about my background and approach on my
→ [About Page]
If you’re looking for an anxiety therapist in California, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
