Anxiety Therapy in California
Support for overthinking, constant worry, and feeling on edge
You’re constantly thinking, anticipating, or trying to stay one step ahead, and it’s exhausting.
Even when things are “fine,” your mind doesn’t fully shut off.
You replay conversations, overanalyze decisions, or feel on edge without a clear reason why.
This might sound like you:
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You overthink decisions, even small ones
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Your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios
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You feel physically tense, restless, or on edge
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You have trouble relaxing, even when you have time to
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You replay conversations or second-guess yourself
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You feel like your brain won’t slow down
What's actually happening:
Anxiety isn’t just about worry—it’s a pattern your brain has learned.
Over time, your system becomes more sensitive to:
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uncertainty
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perceived threats
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“what if” thinking
It tries to protect you by staying alert and prepared.
The problem is, it doesn’t shut off easily, even when you’re safe.
So you can understand something logically… and still feel anxious anyway.
Why it keeps going:
Most people try to manage anxiety in ways that actually keep it going.
Things like:
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overthinking to “figure it out”
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avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable
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seeking reassurance
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waiting to feel certain before taking action
These give short-term relief—but reinforce the cycle long-term.
How Therapy Helps
This isn’t about just learning to relax more.
We focus on changing the patterns that keep anxiety active.
That includes:
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reducing overthinking and mental spiraling
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shifting avoidance patterns
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building tolerance for uncertainty
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learning how to respond differently to anxious thoughts
The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety completely—it’s to make it manageable and no longer in control of your decisions.
What Working With Us Looks Like
Our work is thoughtful, collaborative, and practical. Therapy focuses on helping you relate differently to anxiety rather than trying to eliminate it altogether.
Together, we focus on:
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Understanding the function of anxiety, not just fighting it
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Building emotional and nervous-system regulation skills
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Changing how you respond to worry, without feeding it
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Increasing flexibility, so anxiety doesn’t dictate your choices
Over time, this approach helps reduce reactivity and builds a greater sense of steadiness and control.
Who This Work Is For
We work with adults experiencing anxiety and stress in many forms, including:
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Generalized anxiety and chronic worry
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High stress related to work, relationships, or life transitions
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Panic sensations or feeling constantly on edge
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Social anxiety or fear of judgment
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Anxiety that overlaps with sleep difficulty or health concerns
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Curiosity and willingness are enough.
FAQ
Why does my anxiety feel so physical?
Because your nervous system is activated—not just your thoughts. Anxiety often shows up as tension, restlessness, or that “on edge” feeling.
Why can’t I just think my way out of it?
Because anxiety isn’t just logical—it’s behavioral and physiological. Changing patterns is more effective than trying to reason your way out.
Do I need medication?
Not necessarily. Many people benefit from therapy alone, though medication can be explored if needed.
What if I’ve had anxiety for years?
That’s very common—and still highly treatable.
What if I’m functioning fine but feel overwhelmed inside?
You don’t have to be falling apart to benefit from therapy. Many clients look “fine” on the outside but feel exhausted internally.
Schedule a consultation to talk through what’s been going on and see if this feels like the right fit.
Therapy is provided by Anissa Bell, LMFT, and Cheryl La Sasso, PsyD, specializing in anxiety and related patterns such as overthinking and stress.