Anxiety is a natural and adaptive response designed to help us anticipate and respond to potential threats. However, when the nervous system becomes overactivated, this response can persist even in the absence of immediate danger. Many individuals find that, despite appearing composed externally, their internal experience is marked by constant mental activity, such as repetitive thinking, heightened worry, and difficulty disengaging from perceived risks or “what if” scenarios.
Clinically, anxiety can manifest across cognitive, emotional, and physiological domains. Over time, untreated anxiety can begin to narrow one’s life, impacting relationships, work, parenting, and overall well-being. It can lead to patterns of avoidance, chronic stress, and a reduced sense of confidence and ease in daily life.
At Westside Psych, we offer evidence-based anxiety therapy in Los Angeles and online therapy throughout California. Therapy provides a space to better understand how anxiety operates in both the mind and body, while learning practical tools to regulate the nervous system, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and reduce avoidance. Our work supports adults, adolescents, children, and parents in building resilience, restoring a sense of calm, and re-engaging more fully in their lives.
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. You might notice:
- Constant worry or overthinking that’s hard to turn off
- Feeling on edge, restless, or easily overwhelmed
- Panic attacks or sudden surges of fear
- Trouble sleeping or difficulty relaxing
- Perfectionism and high self-pressure
- Difficulty concentrating or staying present
- Avoidance of situations that feel uncertain or uncomfortable
- Irritability or emotional exhaustion
- Physical symptoms like muscle tension, nausea, or a racing heart
You may be dealing with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or social anxiety, or anxiety connected to relationships, parenting, work stress, infertility, pregnancy, or major life transitions.
If your anxiety is showing up within your family or parenting, you may also benefit from our parent coaching services or child and adolescent therapy, which address how anxiety impacts both children and the broader family system.
A more thoughtful approach to anxiety therapy
Anxiety is not simply something to push through or suppress. It is a meaningful signal, often pointing to something that feels important, uncertain, or out of alignment. Over time, the mind and body can learn to respond as though something is wrong or needs urgent attention, even when that response is no longer necessary, creating patterns that feel difficult to interrupt.
In therapy, we approach anxiety with curiosity rather than judgment, learning to understand what it is communicating, while also building the capacity to respond differently when it is no longer helpful. This work supports both immediate relief and deeper, lasting change, so that you can:
- Calm your nervous system in the moment
- Reduce overthinking and spiraling
- Navigate triggering situations more confidently
- Understand the patterns driving your anxiety
- Shift longstanding ways of relating to yourself
- Learn tools to manage symptoms
- Feel more grounded, steady, and self-assured over time
What we help with
We work with clients experiencing:
- Chronic anxiety and overthinking
- Panic attacks and physical anxiety symptoms
- Social anxiety and fear of judgment
- Work stress and burnout
- Perfectionism and self-criticism
- Relationship anxiety
- Parenting stress and family overwhelm
- Anxiety related to infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum
- Anxiety in children and adolescents
For clients navigating anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum, you can learn more about our maternal mental health therapy, which offers specialized support during this stage of life. If anxiety is connected to fertility challenges, our infertility therapy services may also be helpful.
Anxiety therapy in Los Angeles and online in California
Westside Psych offers in-person anxiety therapy in Los Angeles as well as virtual therapy throughout California. As a group practice, we’re able to thoughtfully match you with a clinician who fits your needs, whether you’re looking for support with anxiety, relationships, parenting, or a specific life transition.
Get started
If you’re looking for therapy for anxiety in Los Angeles or online anxiety therapy in California, we’d love to connect. Reach out to Westside Psych to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward feeling more steady and supported.
Therapists who work with anxiety
Dr. Michelle Jackson
Dr. Traci Bank Cohen
Dr. Annie Garrett
Dr. Candace Burnham
