Anxiety Therapy in San Francisco

Break free from worry and rediscover peace of mind.

Have You Surrendered Too Much of Your Life to Anxiety?

From the moment your eyes open, you're consumed by persistent worries - about work, relationships, finances, your future. Your mind spins with intrusive thoughts and worst-case scenarios. Focusing becomes impossible as you're ambushed by racing thoughts, uncomfortable physical symptoms, and a sense that the day is laced with threat and tension.

Yet anxiety's toll extends far beyond your inner experience. Constantly grappling with stress sabotages your productivity, decision-making, and ability to be present. Anxiety's dark cloud follows you, straining your connections with loved ones and depriving you of peace. You're left feeling isolated, misunderstood, and powerless against anxiety's devastating effects.

How Therapy Can Help You Through Anxiety

You don’t have to constantly deal with stress and overthinking. You can wake up each morning with a renewed sense of optimism and self-confidence.

Your mind can feel quieter and more focused, making you more capable of being present with loved ones rather than emotionally disengaged.

In therapy, we’ll explore the root causes of your anxiety and equip you with proven strategies for managing it.

We’ll work together to help you:

  • Reduce anxiety’s tendency to make you focus on worst-case scenarios

  • Start facing your fears instead of avoiding them

  • Challenge and reframe anxious thought patterns

  • Communicate your needs clearly in relationships

  • Improve self-esteem and stop negative self-talk

  • Regain control over intrusive, repetitive thoughts

  • Set boundaries to protect your mental health

  • Be kinder and more patient with yourself

  • Develop resilience against anxiety triggers

Areas of Expertise

  • Anxiety & Anger: Managing anxiety that manifests through disproportionate outbursts of anger/rage

  • Anxiety & Procrastination: Tools for remaining focused and overcoming avoidance that breeds more anxiety

  • Derealization & Depersonalization: Regaining a secure sense of self and presence when reality feels distorted or unfamiliar

  • Existential Anxiety: Finding meaning, purpose and peace amid anxieties around life's bigger uncertainties

  • Health Anxiety: Challenging catastrophic thinking patterns and restoring trust in your body's sensations

  • Obsessive Thoughts/Pure O OCD:  Breaking the exhausting loops of intrusive, uncontrollable anxious thoughts

  • Panic Attacks: Developing personalized coping techniques to prevent and manage panic's overwhelming physical/emotional symptoms

  • Performance Anxiety: Strategies to manage anxiety when having to speak publicly or be evaluated

  • Relationship/Dating Anxiety: Overcoming fears of intimacy, commitment, vulnerability, and common relational stressors

  • Social Anxiety: Building confidence and tools to feel at ease in social situations without avoidance

Working With Me

I work with adults and teens in individual therapy. We’ll work together to develop a shared understanding of what’s happening with your anxiety, factors in your history that may be contributing, and steps that you can take to make improvements.

My approach to therapy combines empathy with evidence-based techniques, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reshape negative thought patterns

  • Mindfulness practices to ground you in the present moment

  • Psychodynamic therapy exploring challenges and fostering insight and understanding

  • Exposure therapy for addressing specific phobias and panic attacks

How to Get Started

Schedule a Free Consultation

Click here to set up a free consultation with me. You can send me a message or schedule directly into my calendar at a time that works for you.

We’ll Talk About What’s Happening

We’ll talk about what’s been happening and your goals for therapy. You’ll have a chance to ask me any questions about how therapy with me works.

We’ll Get Started Toward Your Goals

If it feels like a fit, we’ll schedule an online or in-person appointment. We’ll set goals and figure out a plan to help you get there.

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FAQs

  • Common signs and symptoms of anxiety include excessive worrying, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and feelings of panic or dread. Sometimes anxiety can create symptoms of feeling dissociated and disconnected from your surroundings, called derealization. These symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency, and may interfere with daily functioning.

  • Anxiety disorders can develop due to a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, brain chemistry, personality traits, and life experiences. Stressful events, trauma, or chronic stress can also contribute to the development of anxiety. Most people will experience anxiety many times in their lives without developing an anxiety disorder. Therapy can help you to understand what contributes to persistent anxiety, and develop strategies for breaking the cycle.

  • In therapy, you'll have an experienced professional providing objective guidance based on proven techniques for understanding and treating anxiety. Rather than spinning your wheels alone, I can help you dismantle unhealthy patterns perpetuating your anxiety. My role is to provide tools, insights, and support for overcoming avoidance, changing your thought patterns, and developing anxiety management skills.

  • My approach blends several evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reshape distorted thinking, mindfulness practices to stay grounded, and psychodynamic therapy to explore anxiety's underlying roots. Depending on your needs, we may incorporate relaxation training, exposure therapy, or emotion-focused techniques. The goal is using a well-rounded toolbox to comprehensively address anxiety's symptoms and causes.

  • Treatment length varies, but most clients begin experiencing some relief from physical and emotional anxiety symptoms within 8-10 sessions. Consistent effort both in and outside of sessions is important for achieving lasting results. I'll work with you to establish a reasonable timeline based on your unique situation, and we’ll regularly check in to make sure we’re going in the right direction.

  • In your initial session, I'll gather information about your anxiety symptoms, triggers, coping strategies, and goals for therapy. This will help me understand your unique needs and develop a personalized treatment plan. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and get a sense of my therapeutic approach. The first session is a chance for us to start building a trusting, collaborative relationship.

  • Please check my FAQ page for up-to-date fee information. I do not currently accept insurance, but I can provide you with a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Some clients also choose to use their HSA or FSA funds to cover the cost of therapy. If finances are a concern, I have a limited number of sliding scale slots available and a lower rate may be possible.

  • While anxiety is highly treatable, there's no permanent "cure" - anxiety is, to some extent, an inherent part of being a living human. The goal is equipping you with the tools and mindset to manage anxiety's symptoms in a way that minimizes disruption to your daily functioning and quality of life. Healing comes through changing the habits and unhealthy thought patterns driving anxiety, so you can approach situations consciously rather than reflexively with fear.

  • It's never too late to start addressing your anxiety and reclaiming your life. No matter how long you've been grappling with anxiety, your brain is able to reshape its pathways and update coping mechanisms with the right guidance. Admitting you need help and being open to change is the biggest step.

In-Person Therapy in San Francisco

Now offering in-person and online sessions.

In-person sessions are offered in Hayes Valley, located near the Mission District, Lower Haight, and Civic Center.

San Francisco Office Location
110 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102