Understanding anxiety disorders
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue and affect 19.1% of the US adult population every year? That's over 40 million people. And less than half of those folks receive treatment.
​
Women are affected by anxiety at twice the rate men are.
​
And half of young adults 18-24 report that anxiety symptoms negatively impact their daily lives.
​
Living in a major city, like Los Angeles, has also shown to put one at a higher risk for anxiety.
​
It's about time we start talking about the elephant in the room and start addressing it with effective anxiety treatment.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
Common types of anxiety
Generalized anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is a mental health condition in which the individual worries excessively about a great number of areas of life such as work, relationships, home life, travel and day-to-day activities.
Panic attacks
Panic Disorder is a psychological issue that results in the person having panic attacks for no apparent reason. It becomes so uncomfortable that the individual begins to fear having another panic attack and may avoid situations that they believe will lead them to have another panic attack.
Social anxiety
Social Anxiety, also called Social Phobia, is a mental health condition that involves being excessively nervous about social interactions. The person may ruminate for days about having "said something stupid" or have a difficult time being on the spot. They may avoid situations like public speaking and large social events.
What is high-functioning anxiety?
High​-functioning anxiety is an invisible disability.
​
Not only are you experiencing all the symptoms of anxiety, but you're also ​trying to make it look like everything is okay.
​
In a city like Los Angeles, the pressure to perform is never-ending.
​
Just because you're able to "do it all" doesn't mean you're not suffering.​ You deserve help just as much as anyone else.
​
I know it's hard to admit that you need help. But trust me, you'll be so glad you did. You don't need to carry this burden alone.
Main causes of anxiety
Trauma history
Your anxiety could be stemming from traumatic experiences. This could be what we call "big T Trauma" like a car accident or physical abuse, or could be "little t trauma" like being bullied at school or going through a tough break up.
Lifestyle factors
There are many lifestyle factors that can be contributing your anxiety such as poor work/life balance in Los Angeles, excessive caffeine intake, lack of proper nutrition and exercise, being in toxic relationships or even positive life transitions.
Underlying health issues
There may be health issues contributing to your anxiety. As a holistic therapist, I'm happy to collaborate with other integrative medical professionals in California to help you heal the anxiety from a mind-body-spirit perspective.
Genetic predisposition
Does anxiety run in your family? Your anxiety may be partly due to a genetic predisposition. Now, this is not an area I put much focus on in our work together. Instead, we'll be focusing on all of the pieces of the puzzle you have control over changing.
What is anxiety therapy?
Anxiety therapy is just that, it's talk therapy with the specific goal of helping you heal your anxiety once and for all.
​
Working with an anxiety specialist means that you know you're in the right hands. You'll be working with a therapist who has over a decade of experience helping women like you overcome anxiety.
Types of anxiety therapy in California
Mindfulness therapy for anxiety
How does mindfulness therapy for anxiety work?
Mindfulness is a tool that involves bringing a non-judgmental awareness to the present moment. In therapy sessions, I'll be guiding you to notice the 5 senses such as feeling textures, seeing the California palm trees or hearing ambient sounds.
Why practice mindfulness for anxiety?
Here's why. In anxiety disorders, the sympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for the fight/flight/freeze response) is overactive. Mindfulness cues the body and mind to relax and reset, which soothes the anxiety.
How does an anxiety therapist use mindfulness?
An anxiety therapist can help you learn this practice and take it with you outside of the therapy office. Mindfulness is a very portable practice — you can take it with you and use it anywhere in Los Angeles and beyond to manage stress.
What is the goal of mindfulness in anxiety therapy?
The main goal of mindfulness in therapy is to help you become more aware of your patterns of habitual anxious thoughts, beliefs and emotions, so that you can interrupt and change them over time.
Somatic therapy for anxiety
How does somatic therapy for anxiety work?
Somatic psychotherapy is a cutting-edge therapy modality that harnesses the innate healing abilities of the body. In session, a somatic anxiety therapist will gently slow you down and ask what sensations you feel in your body in the moment.
Why try somatic therapy for anxiety?
Anxiety doesn't just exist as anxious thoughts in the mind. It manifests as physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension and more. Somatic approaches help your body return to a sense of safety.
How can a somatic therapist help with anxiety?
Long before you notice an anxious thought, there's a body sensation and an emotion that starts the cascade. A somatic anxiety therapist helps you develop body awareness so that you can heal anxiety at the source.
What is the goal of somatic therapy for anxiety?
The intention of somatic therapy is to provide a safe environment and safe relationship in which you can release the tension and stress from your body that has built up over the years that is likely at the root of anxiety.
CBT for anxiety
How does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy work?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is all about understanding the connection between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT is often cited as the best therapy for anxiety due to extensive scientific support. California is a hub for great CBT therapists.
Why try CBT for anxiety?
Besides being the most effective therapy for anxiety, it’s also easy to learn and simple to apply to so many different life struggles and stressors. Not only will it help with anxiety, but it can be applied to any unhelpful thought pattern.
How does an anxiety therapist use CBT?
An anxiety therapist works collaboratively with you to set goals for your therapy, to help you learn CBT tools to manage anxiety day-to-day and to hold you accountable as you make progress. This includes CBT exercises in and out of session.
What is the goal of CBT for anxiety?
The intention of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety is to help you interrupt the cycle of anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviors so that you can enjoy life without anxiety. Once you master this, you won't need therapy anymore.
Anxiety therapist in Los Angeles, CA
Hi there, I'm Natalie!
If you've gotten this far down the page, I'm assuming it's striking a chord. :P I'd be honored to help you in your journey towards healing anxiety.
Wondering what to expect?
I offer both in-person therapy in Los Angeles, as well as online therapy in California. Talking to me won't feel clinical or cold, I promise. It's important to me to be real with you and help put your anxiety at ease.
Still on the fence?
I've helped many California women like you and have witnessed the transformation from anxious to empowered. If you think I might be a fit, I encourage you to take the next step and schedule a free, no-pressure phone consultation.
I offer online scheduling to avoid phone tag :)
