LGBTQ-friendly psychologist helping adolescents and adults heal from traumatic grief, using EMDR, clinical hypnosis, Solution-Focused Therapy and CBT.
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Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
(CA Lic. #PSY 19046)
Anxiety Disorder Treatments for Trauma & Loss
Anxiety is a common reaction to loss, traumatic events and feeling out of control...
But it doesn't have to take over your life.
Many of the people I see suffer from panic attacks, social anxiety, distrust of other people, generalized anxiety, and worry. Sometimes it started in childhood, when they had chaotic environments with unpredictable behavior occurring around them from family members or others. For others, it started with being mistreated out in the world, either being bullied at school or work, sexually assaulted, harassed, robbed or being and physically or emotionally abusive relationships. Having a life-threatening health condition like arrhythmia can make people anxious. And then, there are people who are just born with an anxious predisposition.

Anxiety Disorder Treatments can alleviate your anxiety.
The good news is that you don't have to live with anxiety forever. Anxiety plays an important part in helping you survive traumatic situations, for alert you to the fact that someone important to you is gone. However, it is exhausting and unhealthy to live with it on an ongoing basis. When your thoughts race with "what if..." and you find yourself short of breath, dizzy, or agitated, it's a sign that you're living in the future emotionally rather than the present. It's understandable to want to avoid getting hurt or having something bad happen to you if it's already happened in the past. The problem is, the worry keeps you prisoner because that is all you can see for yourself. Anxiety blocks out the positive possibilities.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and EMDR therapy all address anxiety disorders effectively. If you can learn to relax, challenge your thinking, expect a greater range of possibilities, and sooth yourself in healthy ways, you'll get the upper hand on your anxiety. You don't have to live the rest of your life in fear!
Now more than ever, many people find themselves anxious, young and old. Children, adolescents and adults can all struggle with uncertainty, social anxiety, and worry. Together, we can give you tools that help you overcome your anxiety and manage it, so that you're in charge, not it. If you want to learn how to live more peacefully, confidently, and easily, please give me a call.