Therapy for Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety is a natural response to stress in life, which let’s be honest, life can be stressful! Anxiety in small amounts is normal and can even be helpful but it can become an issue when it negatively impacts everyday life, work, or social engagements. Anxiety manifests as thoughts spiraling into worst case scenarios, overthinking situations, and feeling on edge. Sleep may become an issue, either falling asleep or staying asleep. Situations that trigger anxiety are avoided and it all adds up to a physically and emotionally draining experience.

As an anxiety therapist in San Francisco, I work with adults who feel overwhelmed and stuck in their heads. Anxiety can show up in many ways - tension in the body, difficulty relaxing, or a constant fear that something bad might happen. Sometimes you might not even realize how anxious you are because you’ve become so good at managing it through avoidance or staying busy. For example, relationship anxiety might show up as putting up emotional distance or a fear of getting too close. You might look calm on the outside in the relationship while quietly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Like anxiety, depression can also be hard to detect at the onset. It has a way of sneaking in quietly because it doesn’t always announce itself with tears. In my practice as a therapist for depression, I see that it more often settles in as low level sadness, emptiness or a general sense that something is off. It may present as emotional numbness, lack of motivation, and not living up to your full potential. You may not be in crisis, but you're not feeling like yourself either. Maybe you're still going through the motions—working, socializing, getting things done—but you feel tired and like you’re just surviving, not thriving.

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, creating a cycle that reinforces itself. You feel anxious and overwhelmed, which leads to exhaustion or withdrawal, which in turn deepens your sense of isolation or sadness. But therapy can help break that cycle. 

Whether you’re navigating a life transition, feeling burned out, or simply not feeling like yourself, therapy can help you move toward clarity and connection. I provide therapy for anxiety and depression throughout California, and I specialize in working with professionals who often feel like they “should” be fine, even when they’re not.

You don’t have to keep holding it all together on your own. Reach out today for a free 15-minute phone consult.