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THERAPY FOR ANXIETY IN CALIFORNIA & FLORIDA

You deserve a calmer life.

You don’t have to go through life feeling on edge.

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Are you tired of anxiety ruining what might otherwise be a great life?

  • Are you constantly exhausted from racing thoughts, physical tension, and disrupted sleep?

  • Do you feel like you sometimes “freeze” and don’t know how to get out of it?

  • Do small things feel bigger than you logically know they are?

  • Do you feel like you have to hide your internal experience from others for fear of judgment?

  • Are you worried your partner or family won’t understand or be able to support you? If someone you love struggles with anxiety, this guide on how to support an anxious partner can help bridge that gap.

Though it doesn’t feel like it, these are very common symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is a struggle that can really dampen our overall enjoyment of life. Our anxiety therapists are here to guide you on a path towards calmness. Taming your anxiety is absolutely possible with the right support.

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Common Struggles with Anxiety

Social Anxiety

Do you find yourself avoiding social situations due to fear of judgment or embarrassment? We can help you build confidence and develop strategies for feeling more at ease around people. It's also worth asking whether what you're experiencing is anxiety or something happening deeper in your nervous system, since the two call for different treatment.

Generalized Anxiety

If your mind is constantly buzzing with worry about various aspects of your life, our therapy can equip you with tools to manage your anxiety and restore inner peace.

Panic Attacks

Sudden and intense panic attacks can be frightening and disruptive. Through working with an anxiety therapist, you can better understand your triggers and learn how to cope effectively during these moments.

Phobias

Whether it's fear of heights, animals, or flying, phobias can be limiting. We use EMDR and exposure therapy to help you gently and gradually confront and overcome these fears.

You deserve to feel relaxed and joyful.

We can help you get there.

Laurel van der Toorn, LMFT, sitting comfortably in a chair wearing a black jumpsuit smiling representing healed trauma through high quality therapy in los angeles or san francisco

A Message From Our Director About Anxiety

I’ve had my fair share of anxiety in my life. If anxiety were a restaurant, its Yelp rating would be one star, and only because zero stars isn’t an option.

Anxiety isn’t something you can just think your way out of. It’s not something that goes away if you ignore it and push through. Anxiety needs to be understood and befriended in order to unravel it. We can give bandaids in a crisis, but lasting relief comes from partnering with your nervous system. When your nervous system is tended to, you feel calm.

One of the most pivotal moments in my anxiety healing journey happened when I realized that the goal needed to be increasing my tolerance for uncertainty rather than trying to eliminate it. It’s impossible to eliminate uncertainty, and trying to do so will only make us more anxious. When we have faith in our own ability to handle the unexpected, our anxiety goes down exponentially.

Our goal as therapists is to help you understand and ultimately heal the root cause of your anxiety. For many, this means helping you tolerate the uncertainty of life. Because we’re all human, and the only certain thing is uncertainty.

To your expanding ability to respond to uncertainty with grace,

Laurel

OUR ANXIETY THERAPISTS

Laurel van der Toorn, LMFT

Specializing in lawyers and EMDR

California & Florida; also licensed in Colorado, Michigan, Texas & Washington

Alexis Harney, LMFT

​Specializing in holistic therapy and EMDR

Daniella Mohazab, AMFT

​Specializing in LGBT issues and EMDR

Tatevik Sarkisian, AMFT

​Specializing in holistic therapy and EMDR

Let us help you move through the things that worry and scare you and arrive at your most grounded self.

Is It Anxiety or OCD?

Many people come to us thinking they have severe anxiety. Sometimes it turns out to be OCD. The two are separate diagnoses; in 2013, the DSM-5 moved OCD out of the anxiety disorders and into its own category.

Anxiety usually feels like a steady hum of worry about what might happen next, in your body, your thoughts, or both. OCD runs on a loop. An unwanted thought or fear shows up (the obsession), the anxiety spikes, and you do something to bring it back down (the compulsion). The relief doesn’t last, so the loop starts again.

Hollywood shows compulsions as handwashing or checking the stove. Many are harder to see: replaying a conversation in your head, googling symptoms, checking how your body feels, confessing, avoiding certain people or places, silently canceling out a thought, or asking someone you love, again, if everything is okay.

One of the biggest tells of OCD is reassurance seeking. Everyone needs reassurance sometimes. With OCD, the amount it would take to make the anxiety go away doesn’t exist, so each answer brings a minute of relief and then the doubt comes back. Relief that lasts comes from learning to tolerate uncertainty and discomfort.

We have training in exposure and response prevention (ERP), the evidence-based treatment for OCD, and we work with mild to moderate OCD. If you need a higher level of care or a dedicated OCD specialist, we have a great list of colleagues we can refer you to.

Not sure which one you’re dealing with? You can read more about the differences between anxiety and OCD here. Or better yet, book a free consultation and we’ll help you figure it out.

Common Questions About Working With An Anxiety Therapist

two anxiety therapists talking over coffee about the best way to treat anxiety through teletherapy

Holistic Therapy For Anxiety in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Beyond

Holistic therapy is a practical and effective approach for anxiety, yet people often have misconceptions. They think it's about doing yoga, eating kale, and meditating. And yes, those things might be part of your personalized plan if you’re interested in them, among many other things. But if you're not into yoga and kale, holistic therapy can still work well.

How does holistic therapy differ from traditional approaches to anxiety?

Holistic therapy is like a puzzle; each piece contributes to the whole picture. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, holistic therapy considers lifestyle, relationships, and mental well-being to create a tailored plan. The goal is to help you manage anxiety and also reduce how much of it you feel. A great anxiety therapist helps you feel a lasting reduction in your symptoms through understanding all the things that contribute to it. Knowledge is power, right?

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The Holistic Approach To Therapy For Anxiety

Holistic therapy goes beyond merely treating symptoms to examine the whole landscape of your life. A holistic anxiety therapist looks at the interplay between your health, work, relationships, and sense of purpose. Holistic therapy considers the interconnectedness of the mind, body, purpose, and experiences. This approach is particularly beneficial for addressing anxiety. Anxiety is rarely caused by a single thing, making a holistic approach primed to help you feel better.

Personalized Anxiety Strategies

One of the strengths of holistic therapy for anxiety is its personalized nature. No two people share the exact same experiences or triggers. Some people might get anxious at certain times of day or in certain situations. Others might have greater waves of anxiety around deadlines or events. Some might have phobias. It would be impossible to treat all those issues the same way. Working with a holistic anxiety therapist means your care is built around you.

Can holistic therapy for anxiety really cater to my specific challenges?

Absolutely. Holistic therapists understand the diversity of experiences. They customize strategies, ensuring they resonate with your circumstances and preferences. We also respect your preferences and values and won’t try to talk you into something that doesn’t sit right with you.

Discovering Anxiety Triggers

Holistic therapy encourages a deep exploration of your experience. We emphasize identifying and addressing anxiety triggers. By examining each one, you learn what's causing the problem. Holistic therapy helps you break down and understand anxiety and its dynamics with different parts of your life. Even if you already know what they are, holistic therapy can help you reframe and tame them.

For some people, what looks like an anxiety trigger is a trauma response; here's how to tell the difference, and why it changes the treatment approach.

If your anxiety is connected to ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivity, our neurodivergent therapy services may also be relevant.

How can I identify and manage specific triggers that contribute to my anxiety?

Together you'll analyze situations, thoughts, and emotions to pinpoint what sets off your anxiety. Once identified, you can develop effective strategies to manage those triggers. And it's not just thinking your way out of it. If you could think your way out of it, you would have. Your anxiety therapist will help you make a plan that includes your thoughts, your feelings, and your body to feel better.

Mindfulness for Anxiety Reduction

Life has constant movement and stimuli. Holistic therapy uses mindfulness, a way to create moments of calm amid the chaos. It's like having a mental pause button that allows you to take a step back. It's harder than it sounds. But once you get the hang of it, it can be a serious reset as you go through your day. No meditation pillow or chanting necessary.

Can mindfulness really make a difference in my daily routine?

Absolutely. In a 2022 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, an 8-week mindfulness course reduced anxiety about as much as escitalopram (Lexapro), a common first-line anxiety medication. You learn to find moments of stillness in the middle of the chaos. Mindfulness helps you get through tough times with more ease.

Teletherapy: Access A Great Anxiety Therapist Wherever You Are

Teletherapy offers the flexibility to access holistic support from the comfort of your home or office. And yes, it's just as effective as in person. By cutting out driving, parking, and waiting, you'll have less anxiety going into your sessions, making them more productive.

Can online therapy really provide effective holistic support?

Yes. A 2021 review of research in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy found that therapy by video works as well as in-person therapy. Online therapy has other perks too: you can access a specialist, you don't have to skip when you're sick or traveling, and you don't have to stress about getting to your appointment. Teletherapy ensures you can access holistic therapy without disrupting your life.

Building a Holistic Anxiety Therapy Toolkit

Holistic therapy equips you with tools for managing anxiety. From setting boundaries to breathing exercises to incorporating calming activities into your routine, these tools can transform your life.

Can simple tools really make a substantial impact on my anxiety?

Absolutely. It's about practicality. Over time, their cumulative effect becomes a powerful resource for anxiety management. Like building up a muscle, the tools you learn will get stronger and stronger. Ultimately, the aim is for you to graduate therapy feeling stronger and better.

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Being the Hero of Your Story: Taming Anxiety

We believe that every person has the strength to overcome anxiety and emerge as the hero of their own story. Our therapists are not here to swoop in and rescue you, but rather, to guide and support you as you empower yourself. By building a strong therapeutic alliance, we help you take charge of your anxiety and live a freer life.

Working With An Anxiety Therapist

Therapy is a powerful tool that can transform your relationship with anxiety. Our team of therapists specializes in anxiety treatment, using EMDR, exposure and response prevention (ERP), and mindfulness to help you gain control over your thoughts and emotions. With a collaborative and non-judgmental approach, we can help you feel more in the driver’s seat of your life.

Anxiety Therapists at Your Fingertips

We offer the convenience of online therapy, so you can access support from the comfort of your own home. Our secure and confidential platform allows you to connect from anywhere in California or Florida, ensuring that distance is never a barrier to your health.

Our style of therapy is tailored to address your specific needs and anxiety experiences. You can read more about how online therapy works here.

Take the First Step Towards Lowering Your Anxiety

You don't have to face anxiety alone. Take the first step towards a calmer future by reaching out to us. You and your anxiety therapist will work towards transforming your anxiety from a roadblock into a stepping stone for personal growth and resilience.

Let us help you sort through the things that worry and scare you and arrive at your more grounded self.

Other Holistic Therapy Services in California

Discover a place of growth at Laurel Therapy Collective, where personalized California teletherapy is tailored to your needs. Our California therapists specialize in addressing a wide range of mental health issues, including therapy for anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, gay and lesbian therapy, trans mental health, holistic therapy, couples' therapy, therapy for lawyers, therapy for young adults, Enneagram therapy, therapy for burnout, and the challenges faced by teenagers. With a firm commitment to creating an inclusive and affirming space, promoting anti-racism, body positivity, and sex positivity, we empower you towards self-discovery and emotional well-being. You deserve to experience resilience and a renewed zest for life. We serve San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and all of California and Florida.