Therapy for Anxiety

 
 

When I think about anxiety one of my favorite authors who has described anxiety is Jennifer Shannon, LMFT. She describes anxiety as originating from one or more of three main categories which are:

  • Uncertainty

  • Perfectionism

  • Over-responsibility

To the extent that we hold ourselves to impossible ideals for each of these categories our anxiety tends to increase. In other words, when we refuse to tolerate uncertainty, we tend to avoid situations that might be very good overall for our health such as attending a gathering with friends. When we judge ourselves harshly for not being “perfect” this tends to shut down our energy, curiosity, and willingness to try new things. When we take on responsibility in a patterned way that we have little or no control over this tends to increase anxiety and can create a sense of anxious overwhelm that exhausts us and burns us out.

However, when we allow for and make space for uncertainty, accept ourselves as imperfect, and take responsibility in healthy ways (aka have healthy boundaries) our anxiety tends to lower and there can be space for ease, groundedness, and joy.

I think Jennifer Shannon, LMFT does a great job describing anxiety in these terms and her exercises to address anxiety are very helpful. I enjoy teaching about her exercises very much and additionally, I have a variety of other modalities that I utilize in a unique way for each client based on their needs. I integrate Cognitive Behavior therapy, Parts Work, EMDR, Comprehensive Resource Model, and Mindfulness practices to help you create new patterns for how you approach the world.

I offer one free 20 minute phone consultation to hear about my services. Please feel free to call and schedule an appointment 7 days a week during the hours of 8 am to 5 pm. If you leave a message I will return your call within 24 hours. 

I recommend weekly sessions for both individual and couples counseling. Weekly sessions provides an appropriate amount of time to absorb and integrate material we work on session into your daily life without losing the thread of our work together. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to meet two or three times per week (for example when a client is in crisis). As we get closer to the end of our work together I recommend bi-monthly sessions as part of the termination process.

Fees:

The price for each 50 minute individual session is $250.

I use a sliding scale; please ask me about this in person. I am currently accepting a small number of qualified low fee clients. 

In Partnership with the Saint Mary's College, Kalmanovitz School of Education, I offer a special affordable rate for Graduate Counseling Students. Please notify me of your student status for details.

I offer short term and long term psychotherapy.  

I currently do not accept insurance. I can however provide an invoice that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Check with your insurance to find out if this reimbursement applies to you. I accept cash or check at the beginning of each session.

CANCELLATION POLICY

I have a 48 hour cancellation policy. If you do not cancel within 48 hours of our scheduled session AND we are not able to reschedule our session within the same week you will be required to pay the full fee of the session. I will do everything I can to work with you in situations that you need to reschedule. For those clients with fluid schedules it may be a good idea to schedule a session early in the week to allow more flexibility if we need to reschedule. Feel free to ask me more about my cancellation policy in person.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions about my training or my services: 925 532-7906