How to Find an Anxiety Therapist in LA
It's normal to feel some anxiety from time to time–for example, if you're or about to give a presentation at work or experiencing stressful life events. However, if you feel worried all the time and constantly think of the worst-case scenario, you may have an anxiety disorder. Therapy can help you take back control.
Here, we'll cover everything you need to know about anxiety therapy in Los Angeles: what an anxiety disorder is, what kinds of therapists can help, resources for finding a therapist, and how to tell if a therapist is the right fit for you.
Anxiety can be totally overwhelming and exhausting. It can interfere with your ability to live your everyday life in a peaceful, grounded way. The good news is that you don't have to keep suffering alone.
Working with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders can help. Therapy provides a safe space to process difficult feelings and can teach you how to shift your thoughts and actions in meaningful ways.
Trying to find anxiety therapists in Los Angeles might feel daunting, especially if you've never tried therapy before. We get it, and we want to commend you for getting this far. We created this guide to help you feel confident in taking the next step forward.
Let's dive in.
Answering your questions about anxiety therapy in Los Angeles CA
It's okay if you feel unsure about therapy, or even confused about what an anxiety disorder is. The most important thing to remember is that you deserve support. Here, we've answered a couple common questions about anxiety therapy in LA to help you get started.
How do I know if I have an anxiety disorder?
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. However, everyday anxiety is different from anxiety disorders. Talking with a mental health professional is the best way to know for sure whether you have an anxiety disorder. With that being said, here are some of the common symptoms to be aware of.
Mental health symptoms
There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety is one of the most common, and its symptoms include things like constant worry, feeling on edge, trouble concentrating, and irritability.
Panic disorder is another common anxiety disorder. People with this disorder experience panic attacks that have no apparent trigger or cause. During the attack, people can feel intensely fearful and out of control.
Physical symptoms
As if the mental and emotional symptoms of anxiety aren't uncomfortable enough, there are also lots of physical symptoms of anxiety. While they can vary from person to person and between different anxiety disorders, there are many common physical manifestations.
Some of these include:
Racing heart or feeling like your heart skips a beat
Excessive sweating
Feeling shaky or fidgety
Stomach problems
Muscle tension
Trouble sleeping
What kinds of therapists can treat anxiety disorders?
There are many different types of mental health professionals. This can be confusing at times, especially if you are new to therapy. There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to choosing which type of professional you want to work with, but it's important to understand the differences.
Licensed marriage and family therapist
As the name suggests, a licensed marriage and family therapist typically specializes in relationship therapy and family therapy. Having this background can be helpful for anxiety treatment since anxiety impacts all areas of a person's life, including their relationships.
Clinical social worker
A clinical social worker has a slightly different focus than a marriage and family therapist. The social work perspective involves exploring how a person's physical, social, and cultural environment impacts them. This lens helps with anxiety therapy because it examines external factors that may contribute to a person's anxiety (or make it better).
Psychologist
While similar to marriage and family therapist or social worker, a psychologist focuses more on individual factors related to mental health. Psychologists can also provide assessments and evaluations that a family therapist or clinical social worker cannot administer.
Expressive arts therapist
Expressive arts therapists focus on embracing a person's inherent creativity to help them heal. While all arts therapists (just like any other kind of therapist) use different techniques, some include: playing music, performing theater, writing, and drawing.
Your guide to finding anxiety therapists in Los Angeles CA
If you're interested in counseling but unsure how to start, you're not alone. Many people feel overwhelmed at the idea of trying to find a therapist. Here, we've compiled some of our top strategies for finding a therapist. As a bonus, we've included some tips for how to tell if a therapist is the right fit for you.
Resources for finding mental health therapists
Everyday life can be challenging enough with anxiety, so adding on the task of finding a therapist in Los Angeles can feel daunting. Thankfully, there are tons of resources available to help you get started.
Do a Google search
You already use Google for everything else–why not use it to help you find a therapist? Most therapists list their services online, so this can be a quick way to find an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles.
National directories
A quick Google search can also provide you with lots of different therapist databases. Some of the common ones are Psychology Today, GoodTherapy, and Therapy Den. The American Psychological Association also has their own directory. Some of them can be a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of therapists, but it can be a good place to start gathering information.
Local resources
In addition to national directories, there are plenty of local organizations where therapists can advertise their services. The Los Angeles Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has their own directory, as well as the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.
Ask around
If you feel comfortable, you can ask people in your personal life for therapist recommendations--especially if you know that they struggle with similar issues. Keep in mind that there can be ethical considerations for therapists seeing folks that know each other, but this can be a helpful way to get ideas.
Referral from your primary care provider
It's okay if you'd rather not get recommendations from people you know. You can ask your primary care provider for a referral instead. Many primary care providers have professional relationships with local therapists and can point you in the right direction. Some offices even have social workers on staff that can provide other mental health resources as well.
Finding the right fit
We recommend compiling a list of a few different therapists you might be interested in working with. From there, you can consider the following factors to determine whether you might be a good fit for each other. Remember, it's okay if you don't gel with the first therapist you meet with. You can always try someone new.
Specialty area
It's important to make sure that your therapist specializes in working with people like you. For example, does the therapist work with young adults or children? Do they help with eating disorders or anxiety? Make sure their professional expertise aligns with your needs, values, goals.
Training, experience, and approach
Ask the therapists on your list about their experience and their approach. What training and education do they have? What evidence based treatments do they use? Do they have extensive experience helping people with anxiety?
In person vs. online therapy
Some therapists only meet people in person, while others operate exclusively online. Some offer a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. Reflect on which one you'd prefer and make sure that the potential therapist offers what you're looking for.
Feeling of connection
The therapist's education and experience, as well as the logistics of counseling, are important.
However, it's also essential to have a feeling of connection with your therapist. It's not realistic to have an instant relationship at the first session, but notice how you feel when interacting with the therapist. You don't want to feel judged or dismissed, but rather accepted, heard, and connected.
Connect with an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles today
Anxiety doesn't have to control you. Anxiety therapy in LA can help you get to the root cause of your anxiety and learn new ways to cope. With the right kind of support, you can live life in a more peaceful, grounded way.
Our team of Los Angeles anxiety therapists are here to meet you with a non judgmental, compassionate approach. We create a safe space where you can be yourself, make meaningful changes, and even improve your self esteem.
You don't need to keep suffering--therapy can help. We're here whenever you're ready to start the process. Reach out today to schedule your complimentary consultation and take the next step in your healing journey.
