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EMDR Therapy for Anxiety: What It Helps, What It Does Not, and How It Works
Many people are surprised to learn that EMDR therapy is not only for trauma. It can also help with certain types of anxiety that stem from unresolved memories, chronic stress, or relational wounds.
What Adult ADHD Really Looks Like (And Why You Might Have Missed It)
Adult ADHD rarely looks like a restless kid in class. A therapist explains how it actually presents in adults, why it goes undiagnosed, and what to do about it.
Anxiety vs. OCD: Why It Feels Different in Your Body and Brain
Where anxiety tends to be more diffuse, ongoing, and general, OCD shows up in sudden spikes followed by compulsive behaviors or mental rituals meant to bring relief.
Let’s unpack how each condition tends to show up in the body and brain, and how understanding these patterns can lead to more effective therapy and support.
The Difference Between Feeling Calm, Numb, and Dissociated in EMDR Therapy
Clients often tell their EMDR therapist, “I felt calm during that set,” only to realize later that they were actually numb or starting to dissociate. These states can feel similar in the moment, but they affect trauma therapy very differently. Understanding the distinction helps you communicate with your EMDR therapist, stay grounded in session, and get the most benefit from EMDR therapy.
Is Your Nervous System Addicted to Data? What Health Tracking Can’t Tell You
Obsessively checking your Oura ring, HRV, or glucose data? Learn why constant health tracking can fuel anxiety and how holistic therapy can help.
Why Performance Reviews Feel So Threatening (And What To Do About It)
Performance review anxiety is especially intense for lawyers, doctors, and tech professionals. A therapist explains why evaluations feel so threatening and what actually helps.
I Can’t Stop Thinking About Something That Happened. Can EMDR Therapy Help Me?
If you can't stop thinking about something that happened, you are not weak or dramatic. You may have an unprocessed memory, and EMDR therapy can often help.
Understanding Your Teen’s Struggles In 2026: Why They Might Need Extra Support
Have you noticed that teens today seem more anxious, more dependent on their parents, or less confident than previous generations?
As teen therapists, we’ve seen a clear shift. Even years after lockdowns ended, many teens are still struggling to catch up socially and emotionally. While schools focused (appropriately) on academic recovery, emotional development often took a back seat, and it shows.
Dreading Family Gatherings? How EMDR Can Reduce In-Law Anxiety
A lot of people experience real anxiety about in-laws.
Sometimes it starts days before the event. You find yourself dreading the holiday, the dinner, the birthday party, the weekend visit. Your body tenses up before you’ve even left the house. You rehearse conversations in your head. You worry about what will be said, whether your partner will back you up, and how long it will take to recover afterward.
Rejection Sensitivity vs. Trauma Triggers: How to Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters for Treatment)
Rejection sensitivity is an intense, often rapid emotional response to perceived rejection, criticism, or disapproval. It is frequently cognitive and relational in origin, rooted in attachment patterns, perfectionism, or ADHD.
What Else Can EMDR Therapy Be Used For Besides Trauma?
When most people hear about EMDR therapy, they think of trauma recovery, and for good reason. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was originally developed to treat PTSD and has decades of research supporting its effectiveness in healing trauma. But that’s not all EMDR can do.
Is It Anxiety or Nervous System Dysregulation?
You’re feeling on edge. Maybe your heart races for no clear reason, or you can’t concentrate no matter how much you try to “calm down.” You’ve Googled anxiety. You’ve tried meditation apps. But nothing really connects with how pervasive your unease is.
What if what you’re experiencing isn’t just anxiety, but a deeper issue rooted in your nervous system?
The Mind-Body Connection in Healing Chronic Illness, Anxiety, and Depression
The mind-body connection plays a central role in how we experience symptoms, regulate stress, and heal. Understanding how your brain and nervous system influence your body can help you break away from stress cycles that keep physical symptoms persistent.
How to Make Friends with Your Nervous System: Holistic Therapy for Anxiety
Partnering with your nervous system rather than fighting it is the fastest way to calm your anxiety. Here are six steps to do that from our Los Angeles anxiety therapists.
Anxiety v. OCD: What’s The Difference?
It’s not uncommon to hear people mistakenly use “anxious” and “OCD” interchangeably. Maybe someone says they’re “so OCD” because they like things neat, or they describe their worries as obsessive. But while anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can look similar on the surface, they’re very distinct mental health conditions. They have different patterns and needs for treatment. And unfortunately, even a lot of therapists can't distinguish them unless they have specialized training.
How to Handle Anxiety & Frustration From Holiday Travel Delays
Travel delays can be incredibly frustrating and anxiety-inducing, especially when you have places to be and plans to keep. During the holidays, travel gets more intense and the stakes feel higher. But with a few strategies, you can handle these delays with greater ease. Here's how to take the stress out of travel
EMDR Therapy for Phobias: Taking the Power Out of What Scares You
Phobias and fears can seriously impact our lives. They limit our ability to enjoy activities, pursue opportunities, or feel comfortable in our surroundings. But with EMDR therapy, it doesn't have to be that way.
9 Sneaky Reasons Your Anxiety Isn’t Getting Better
If you've been trying to lower your anxiety for a while and nothing is helping, you're probably frustrated. If you've been in therapy for anxiety, this frustration is probably significant. Why isn't treatment working? Here are some sneaky reasons nothing is bringing your anxiety down and what you can do about it.
Managing Election Anxiety: Strategies for Staying Grounded
If you're feeling on edge about the upcoming election, you're in good company. Elections can be a significant source of anxiety, especially when the stakes feel high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the political climate and the uncertainty surrounding election outcomes, welcome. Here are some techniques to lower this specific kind of anxiety.
Young Adult Financial Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming It
Financial anxiety can feel overwhelming. Many millennials experience it, even when they have enough resources. It's a mix of fear and stress about money, often tied to the pressures and expectations unique to our generation. As professionals who offer therapy for millennials, we see this showing up quite a bit. Interestingly, it shows up equally across income levels.
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We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles therapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT gay and lesbian therapy issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, therapy for burnout, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!