top-rated Anxiety Therapist Los Angeles
ANXIETY THERAPY in LOS ANGELES, CA
Takeaway: Stress is a part of life, but if you struggle with chronic worry that you can’t seem to shake, you may have anxiety. Thankfully, therapy can help. As an anxiety specialist in Los Angeles, I have 30+ years of experience in helping people like you feel more grounded and secure. Get started today.
Understanding anxiety disorders
It's normal to feel overwhelmed or worried from time to time, but anxiety disorders run much deeper than that. People who struggle with chronic anxiety experience mental, emotional, and physical symptoms that can significantly affect their quality of life.
Here are some of the most common anxiety disorders, all of which I treat in my practice.
Generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms include chronic worry that's difficult to control, difficulty relaxing, trouble concentrating, muscle tension, and more.
Panic disorder. Symptoms included panic attacks, which are intense periods of fear characterized by sweating, tingling, lightheadedness, feelings of impending doom, and more.
Social anxiety disorder. Symptoms include blushing and sweating in social settings, avoiding eye contact, and avoiding certain social situations altogether.
Related disorders. Other mental health issues like mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often related to anxiety. I treat these issues in my practice as well.
Know that you don't need a diagnosed anxiety disorder to benefit from seeking support. I encourage you to reach out if you're interested in learning more about how anxiety therapy may be able to help you.
Meet Sally Stephens | Top-rated anxiety specialist in LA
Hi, I'm Dr. Sally Stephens.
I help ambitious, high-achieving people feel more grounded and confident through online therapy. Many of my clients are highly driven, outwardly successful people, yet struggle with their self-worth. Together, we can get to the root of these issues to help you build resilience and make a greater impact in your career, community, and personal life.
Credentials: Ph.D, J.D., Psy.D.
License number: California Licensed Clinical Psychologist #PSY26995
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Coping Skills, Grief, Infertility, Narcissistic Personality (NPD), Parenting, Pregnancy/Prenatal/Postpartum, Self-Esteem, Stress
Modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic Therapy
Years in practice: 38
Why choose my practice for anxiety treatment in LA
There are countless mental health professionals to choose from, so it's vital to carefully reflect on your unique values, needs, and goals. Here are a few reasons to consider working with my practice.
01
I have over three decades of experience.
Having worked in the field for nearly four decades, I have extensive, diverse experience. I've worked with people from all walks of life and honed my craft as an anxiety specialist. With that said, I'm still dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest research and evidence-based practices to give my clients the highest-quality care possible.
03
I help people get to the root of their anxiety.
Treating symptoms alone doesn't make anxiety go away. While our work will involve learning coping skills, we'll primarily focus on getting to the root of your anxiety. My training in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy helps me partner with clients to better understand themselves and the sources of their challenges.
02
I can help people across the state of California.
Online therapy offers convenience, flexibility, and continuity of care should you choose to relocate outside of Los Angeles. All sessions take place via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to protect your confidentiality.
FAQs about anxiety therapy
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Yes! Talk therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. Check out this meta-analysis on how cognitive therapy can improve many different anxiety disorders. This study also illustrates psychodynamic psychotherapy as an evidence-based practice for treating anxiety.
In addition to the research, I've also seen how transformative therapy can be in my experience as a therapist. Therapy offers a safe space for you to learn more about your inner world and get personalized support for how you can show up differently in your day-to-day life.
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Anxiety specialists can have a number of different credentials. In your search for a therapist, you may see the following types of licenses:
• Marriage and family therapist,
• Licensed clinical social worker,
• Licensed professional counselor,
and more.
These mental health professionals typically have a master's degree in their field and thousands of hours of supervised practice before earning licensure. Licensed clinical psychologists, such as myself, have doctorate degrees in addition to supervised practice hours.
Beyond a therapist's particular credentials, I recommend asking about which techniques they're trained in and what experience they have working with people with anxiety disorders.
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Anxiety disorders can be treated using a variety of different methods. I'm trained in psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy and have seen firsthand how effective these approaches can be in helping people find relief from anxiety.
Other clinicians may use different methods, including exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and more.
While anxiety can often be treated effectively using talk therapy alone, medication management may be advised in some cases. I recommend consulting with a psychiatrist if you are interested in exploring this option.
Get the evidence-based support you need to manage anxiety.
Whether you've struggled with lifelong anxiety or recently started noticing your symptoms for the first time, I'm here to help. People can often become desensitized to their anxiety symptoms because they have always lived this way. On the other hand, stressful situations or life transitions can also trigger the onset of underlying anxiety.
Together, we can make sense of the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that drive your anxious patterns. From here, we can find a personalized path to feeling more calm, confident, and connected in your day-to-day life.
Though I'm based in the greater Los Angeles, CA area, telehealth allows me to support people across the state of California. If you think we may be a good fit for each other, I invite you to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!