Common Concerns · Anxiety
Therapy for anxiety, so worry no longer runs your life.
Some worry is part of being human. But when it keeps you up at night, tightens your chest before every meeting, or makes you avoid things you used to enjoy, it's more than everyday stress. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to therapy, and one of the most treatable.
Our clinicians help you understand what's driving your anxiety and learn practical skills to calm it, in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and more, online or in person.
Signs it might be time to talk to someone
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. You might notice some of these:
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In your mind
- Worries you can't switch off
- Imagining the worst
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling on edge or irritable
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In your body
- A racing heart or tight chest
- Shallow breathing or dizziness
- Tense shoulders, headaches or stomachaches
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
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In your day
- Avoiding people, places or tasks
- Putting things off, then rushing
- Asking for reassurance again and again
- Feeling worn out by ordinary days
If these have lasted a few weeks and are getting in the way of work, school, relationships or sleep, it's a good time to reach out. You don't need to wait until it feels unbearable.
Kinds of anxiety we treat
Generalized anxiety
Worry about many things at once, most days, that's hard to control.
Panic attacks
Sudden waves of intense fear, often with a racing heart, shortness of breath or dizziness.
Social anxiety
Fear of being judged or embarrassed that makes meetings, classes or gatherings hard.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Unwanted, intrusive thoughts and the rituals used to quiet them.
Phobias
Intense fear of specific things, such as flying, driving, needles or heights.
Performance and test anxiety
Pressure before exams, presentations or interviews that gets in the way of showing what you can do.
How we help
Your clinician will tailor treatment to you, drawing on approaches with strong research behind them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Notice the thoughts that fuel anxiety, and practice more balanced ways of thinking and responding.
Exposure therapy and ERP
Gradually and safely face what you've been avoiding, so it loses its hold on you, including exposure and response prevention for OCD.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Make room for difficult feelings while moving toward what matters to you.
Mindfulness and relaxation skills
Calm your body and mind in the moment, with techniques you can use anywhere.
Medication, if it might help
Our psychiatric providers can talk with you about whether medication could be part of your plan, alongside therapy.
In the language you think in
Sessions in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean or Spanish, depending on the clinician.
Clinicians who focus on anxiety
Each of these clinicians lists anxiety among their areas of focus. Look for someone whose languages and approach feel right to you.
See all clinicians who focus on anxietyQuestions about anxiety treatment
Something else on your mind? Our FAQ covers much more, and our intake team is always happy to talk it through.
Is my anxiety bad enough for therapy?
There's no threshold you need to reach. If anxiety is taking up more of your day than you'd like, affecting your sleep, work or relationships, or you'd simply like better tools to manage it, therapy can help.
Should I try therapy or medication?
For many people, therapy alone helps a great deal, and the skills you learn keep working after sessions end. Some people benefit from adding medication, especially when anxiety is severe. Your clinician can talk this through with you and refer you to our psychiatric providers if it might help.
How long does treatment take?
It varies from person to person. Many people notice changes within a few months of regular sessions, and some continue longer to work on deeper patterns. You and your clinician will check in on progress together.
Can I have therapy for anxiety online?
Yes. Online therapy works well for anxiety. Our clinicians are licensed across 15 states, and you'll need to be in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of each session.
Can I have sessions in Mandarin or Cantonese?
Yes. Many of our clinicians speak Mandarin, and some speak Cantonese, Korean or Spanish. On Our Team you can filter clinicians by language.
Will my insurance cover anxiety treatment?
Often, yes. We work with Lyra Health, Spring Health and Modern Health employee benefits, and with Kaiser when you have an external referral. Some of our clinicians also take plans such as Aetna and Blue Cross through Headway. With any other plan, we send you a superbill each month to claim out-of-network benefits, which typically repay 50 to 80 percent, and FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
- Reach outSend us a short message, or call or text (650) 434-2563. We reply within one business day.
- A free 15-minute callOur care team listens, answers your questions about cost and insurance, and suggests clinicians who fit.
- Your first sessionMany people meet their clinician within one to two weeks. The first session is mostly about getting to know each other, at your pace.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 911.
