Anxiety
You manage so much in your life. So why does it feel like your mind and body are never fully at ease?
You’re used to handling responsibilities, getting things done, and being someone others can count on. But behind the scenes, your mind is constantly running through what could go wrong, replaying conversations, or thinking about things you can’t control.
Even when life is going well, relaxing isn’t always easy.
Therapy can help you understand what’s fueling your anxiety, break patterns that leave you feeling
overwhelmed, and find more moments of calm in everyday life.
Online individual therapy for adults throughout California.
What If You Could Finally Feel More at Ease?
Imagine making a decision without questioning it five times. Enjoying a quiet evening without mentally reviewing tomorrow’s responsibilities. Or facing an unexpected problem without immediately jumping to the worst possible outcome.
You don’t have to eliminate every worry to feel better. You can learn to handle uncertainty without letting anxiety take over.
When Anxiety Becomes Part of Your Everyday Life
Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic attacks or obvious distress. Sometimes, it’s something you’ve gotten so used to that you barely notice how much energy it takes.
Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking:
“I know I’m overthinking, but I can’t seem to stop.”
“Even when everything is fine, I’m waiting for something to go wrong.” “I’m exhausted, but the minute I try to relax, my mind starts racing.” You might also recognize these patterns:
- Your mind rarely slows down. You replay conversations, anticipate problems, or mentally prepare for situations that haven’t happened.
- You feel responsible for keeping everything under control. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, and letting things unfold without a plan can feel difficult.
- Your body has trouble relaxing. You may experience muscle tension, a racing heart, stomach discomfort, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping.
- It’s hard to enjoy the present. Even during moments of rest or accomplishment, you’re thinking about what needs to happen next.
You may be managing everything on the outside while feeling overwhelmed on the inside.
Understanding What’s Keeping Your Anxiety Going
Anxiety isn’t just about worrying too much. Your brain and nervous system are constantly working to identify potential threats and keep you safe.
Sometimes, habits you’ve developed to feel prepared or in control can actually keep anxiety going. You might find yourself:
- Overpreparing because making a mistake feels unacceptable.
- Avoiding difficult conversations because you don’t want to disappoint anyone.
- Asking for reassurance because you struggle to trust your own judgment.
- Keeping yourself busy because slowing down brings up uncomfortable thoughts. These habits may help you feel better temporarily, but the relief doesn’t always last.
In therapy, we’ll explore where these patterns come from, what keeps them going, and how you can begin responding differently.
What Could Feel Different?
The goal isn’t to become someone who never feels anxious. It’s to feel more capable of handling life’s challenges without getting caught in constant worry.
Over time, you may find yourself able to:
- Notice anxious thoughts without getting pulled into them.
- Make decisions without repeatedly second-guessing yourself.
- Feel more comfortable when things don’t go according to plan.
- Set boundaries without feeling overwhelmed by guilt.
- Recognize physical signs of anxiety and know how to respond.
- Give yourself permission to rest without feeling like you should be doing something else.
It’s about having more room in your life for the things that matter to you, rather than spending so much energy worrying about what might happen.
How Therapy Can Help
There’s no single approach that works for everyone. We’ll look at what’s contributing to your anxiety and choose strategies that fit your experiences and goals.
Depending on your needs, our work may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Learn to recognize thought patterns that fuel anxiety, question worst-case predictions, and change habits that keep you stuck in worry or avoidance.
EMDR Therapy
If past experiences are contributing to your anxiety, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may help you process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact.
Nervous System Regulation
Learn to recognize when your body is responding to stress and use practical techniques to help settle your nervous system.
Other Evidence-Based Approaches
We may also explore perfectionism, self-criticism, relationship patterns, and other factors that make it difficult to feel at ease.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
I’m Kyrah Dickens, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 14 years of experience helping adults work through anxiety, trauma, self-doubt, and life transitions.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and practical. I want you to understand not just what you’re feeling, but why anxiety keeps showing up and what you can do about it.
We’ll look at the connection between your thoughts, emotions, past experiences, and nervous system while building skills you can use in your everyday life.
I’m not going to tell you to simply stop worrying or think positively. We’ll work together to understand what’s happening and find ways to help you feel more in control of how you respond.
Questions You May Have
Can therapy help if I’ve had anxiety for years?
Yes. Even patterns you’ve lived with for years can change. Therapy can help you understand what’s maintaining your anxiety and practice new ways of responding.
What if I don’t know why I’m anxious?
That’s okay. You don’t need to have the answers before starting therapy. Figuring out what triggers your anxiety and what may be contributing to it can be part of our work.
Will I have to talk about my past?
Not necessarily. We can start with what’s happening in your life now. If past experiences are affecting your anxiety, we can explore them when appropriate.
Do you use EMDR for anxiety?
Yes, when appropriate. EMDR may be helpful when anxiety is connected to distressing memories or past experiences. We’ll discuss whether it’s a good fit for you.
Does online therapy work for anxiety?
Research supports online therapy as an effective option for many people with anxiety. It allows you to receive treatment from a private, comfortable space without traveling to an office.
When This Work May Be a Good Fit
This work is often a good fit for adults who are tired of overthinking, constantly anticipating problems, or feeling unable to relax even when things are going well.
You may be managing your responsibilities but recognize how much energy anxiety is taking from you. You’re ready to understand what’s happening and learn practical ways to make changes.
When This May Not Be the Best Fit
Because I provide therapy exclusively online, this may not be the best fit if you need immediate crisis support, intensive monitoring, or a higher level of care.
Depending on your needs, in-person treatment, specialized programs, or additional psychiatric support may be more appropriate. If you’re experiencing symptoms that require crisis intervention or more comprehensive clinical monitoring, a provider or treatment setting equipped to offer those services may be better suited to your needs.
You Don’t Have to Keep Living in Anticipation of What Could Go Wrong
When you’ve spent years worrying or staying on alert, it can be hard to imagine feeling any other way. But just because anxiety has become familiar doesn’t mean things can’t change.
You can learn to approach uncertainty differently, give yourself permission to rest, and spend less time worrying about what might happen next.
Ready to Find a Different Way Forward?
You don’t have to keep managing anxiety on your own.
If you’re ready to understand your anxiety and learn healthier ways to respond, I invite you to schedule a consultation.
Online anxiety therapy for adults throughout California.
Kyrah Dickens, LMFT #118667 Clear
Thoughts Therapy & Beyond