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Anxiety Therapy

Do you tend to worry and "overthink" about what matters to you in life? Are you concerned about what others think of you, so much that you sacrifice what you want to make others happy? Do you find yourself losing sleep, feeling body tension, or having an upset stomach because of the stress your anxiety causes?

 

You might have developed anxiety because of losing someone or something important to you, and ever since you've worried that you or another loved one is next on the chopping block. You might have experienced another type of traumatic incident, either in childhood or recently, that makes you feel hyper-alert and ready to flee.

 

Alternatively, you might just worry about bad things happening to you or your loved ones and not feel ready to cope with what life might throw at you.

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If you're sick and tired of...

  • Frequent panic attacks

  • Generalized anxiety

  • Recurrent bad dreams

  • Worrying what others think about you

  • Avoiding situations that make you feel uneasy

  • Feeling unsafe in the world

  • Fearing intimacy and getting close to others

  • Distrust of others

  • Worrying about yourself or your loved one's wellbeing...

then you're probably ready to explore getting therapy for anxiety!

Learn about coping better with anxiety

You're not alone if you suffer from anxiety.

​​​Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of mental disorders in the USA, and 19.1% of adults have an anxiety disorder at some point of their lives, according to the NIMH. Adolescents have higher rates of anxiety disorders, with an estimated lifetime rate of 31.9%. Anxiety and depression often happen together, which can be really hard to bear.

 

The most common types are Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, phobias (e.g., spiders, claustrophobia, etc.), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you or your adolescent feels anxious frequently, you know how hard it can be to go through life on edge all the time.

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Luckily, you don't have to anymore.

Why are we so anxious these days?

Many factors can contribute to anxiety, including:

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  • Genetics – A family history of anxiety disorders (e.g., parents, grandparents).

  • Brain chemistry – Imbalances in neurotransmitters.

  • Personality traits – Perfectionism, neuroticism, or low self-esteem.

  • Stressful life events – Trauma, loss, unpredictable situations, or overwhelming responsibilities without support.

  • Health conditions – Issues like arrhythmia can trigger anxiety.

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While it may be tempting to numb anxiety with alcohol or drugs, substance use doesn’t address the root cause. Instead, it usually reinforces avoidance. This makes anxiety worse over time.

 

Even if you feel good in the moment you drink or use drugs, the root cause is still lying in wait. Real, lasting change comes from addressing thoughts and emotions, not masking them.

young Middle Eastern man in button down green shirt with trimmed mustache and beard, in front of field looking skyward, Image by Allef Vinicius

Anxiety plays a vital role in survival, alerting you to potential dangers or the loss of someone important. Often, it stems from early attachments to parents or caregivers, creating a sense of insecurity. However, living with constant anxiety is exhausting and unhealthy. When your mind races with "what if" scenarios and you experience shortness of breath, dizziness, or agitation, it signals that you're emotionally living in the future rather than the present. While it's natural to want to protect yourself from further harm, especially after past trauma, excessive worry keeps you trapped, limiting your view of the positive possibilities ahead.

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With therapy for anxiety, you get your life back and regain a sense of peace.

The good news is that you can receive therapy for anxiety that changes the way you think and feel about the world. Additionally, when you address your prolonged grief or trauma head on, you're less overwhelmed by stress and can think more rationally.

 

It also helps clear out the emotional and physical leftovers from terrible events in the past that make you react so strongly or numb out and avoid things that remind you of the painful past.​

 

Even if your anxiety isn't from a traumatic event or loss, it can make you feel out of control or like you're losing your mind. Panic attack can really make you feel like that, so you start to avoid things that remind you of the panic attack. It makes your world smaller and more limited in what you feel comfortable doing.

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​Anxiety therapy can help you regain a sense of control and make it easier to cope in the present. You deserve to feel calmer and more in control, don't you? 

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Therapy for anxiety can help you:

  • learn to relax;

  • observe your thoughts and emotions;

  • change your thinking;

  • tolerate the unknown;

  • expect a good things as well as bad; 

  • soothe yourself in healthy ways, and

  • get the upper hand on your anxiety.​​

 

young white woman at work holding her head and looking disturbed

Do you have questions about Anxiety Therapy?

  • What if I can't overcome my anxiety and I get overwhelmed?

You're not anxious 24/7, even if it sometimes feels that way. Anxiety is overwhelming and uncomfortable, making it seem constant—but there are moments when you're distracted or managing uncertainty more effectively. When you intentionally focus on those times and what helps you cope, you gain a greater sense of control over your inner world—your emotions, thoughts, and reactions. This awareness empowers you to navigate life more smoothly, make conscious choices about where you direct your attention, reframe anxious bodily signals, and adopt a more balanced, adaptive perspective.

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  • What treatments do you have to treat anxiety?

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Ericksonian hypnosis, and EMDR therapy all address anxiety disorders effectively. ​SFBT brings your attention to how you want to feel and what helps you achieve that state. Hypnosis helps you relax more easily and readily, and addresses unconscious forces that interfere with peace of mind. EMDR therapy works with mind and body to help you release the past events that have created your current anxiety.​ I also use some aspects of body awareness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treating anxiety. 

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  • Why should I seek anxiety therapy from you?​

I’ve been working in this field for over 20 years and have a wide range of tools to help with anxiety. I also understand firsthand what it’s like to feel anxious and out of control of your thoughts, emotions, and physical reactions. That’s why I tailor treatment to fit your unique needs and welcome your feedback throughout the process. I don’t stick to just one approach because it’s my favorite—I focus on what works for you. This is your treatment, and our shared goal is to help you find relief and regain a sense of control.​​

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You don't have to live the rest of your life in fear!
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People of all ages seem to become increasingly anxious. Maybe it's something to do with the stressful world we live in. Children, adolescents and adults can all struggle with uncertainty, social anxiety, and worry. There's a saying, "you can't control the waves, but you can learn how to surf." You can't change the fact that bad things happen in the world, but you can learn to ride the waves of uncertainty and trouble, so you don't drown in your emotional response to it.​Let's give you tools that help you handle uncertainty better. Don't let anxiety push you around and scare you anymore. Please give me a call or click the button below.​

Online Trauma Therapy in Lancaster, CA

Lisa S. Larsen, Psy.D.(she/her/hers)

3123 W Ave L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536

+16612336771​​

 

Business Hours: Tues-Fri., 10 AM-7 PM​

 

No In-person sessions offered at this address. ​

 

Appointments can be made by calling the office or submitting the contact form. Thank you, and I look forward to speaking with you soon!

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