14,331 people sought anxiety therapy help in California in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a anxiety can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 5 therapists in California available for an online or in-person session.
Thuy Ulrich

Hear from Thuy Ulrich, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Thuy Ulrich's profile

What is your go-to approach for anxiety therapy?

Clients struggling with anxiety are already burdened with many stressors, so therapy needs to not be another pushy stressor on their plate. My typical approach for helping clients deal with anxiety begins fundamentally the same across all modalities—meeting them at their level and their readiness for change. I find this works best because they are the experts on themselves. They need to be the ones driving therapy or the actions won’t be meaningful.

What tools do you teach in anxiety therapy?

I teach many tools in therapy for anxiety, each catered to each person’s needs and level of functioning. For example:

  • Coping tools that build upon clients' existing coping mechanisms to help make their tools more effective
  • Mindfulness tools that help build awareness and slow down the stressed mind
  • Insight tools to understand the purpose of anxiety
  • Communication tools to help clients feel heard when expressing feelings & needs

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in anxiety therapy?

I know clients are making meaningful progress in therapy when they start reporting improvements in their lives and/or relationships and are enjoying life again. It’s important to help clients recognize and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement anxiety therapy?

Clients can supplement their therapy by practicing good self-care & the coping tools discussed, or just by considering how the concepts from sessions can be applied.

What should someone do to prepare for starting anxiety therapy?

To prepare for their first session, clients can consider what their goals for therapy might be and keep an open mind for their new journey. Therapy can open doors to new concepts and methods of approach if clients are ready to open those doors. With anxiety, it can also be comforting for clients to know they can ask their therapist questions about what to expect from therapy.

Starting Anxiety therapy

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy helps people better understand and manage their anxiety. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA can develop a treatment plan that will help you better manage your day-to-day anxiety or your anxiety disorder.

How does anxiety therapy work?

Anxiety therapy involves talking to a therapist about symptoms, potential causes, and more. Thriveworks Irvine therapists will then work with you to determine where your anxiety might stem from and teach you effective coping mechanisms.

How to deal with anxiety?

One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.

Symptoms of anxiety

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

  • Sense of impending danger
  • Nervousness/restlessness
  • Trouble focusing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shaking
  • Headaches
  • Stomach issues
  • Fatigue
  • Panic attacks
  • Increased heart rate

What is the best therapy for anxiety?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be incredibly effective in treating anxiety and anxiety disorders. Other effective techniques include exposure therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and EMDR therapy.

Is anxiety therapy conducted in person or online?

Anxiety therapy is conducted both in person and online, depending on the individual’s preferences and their therapist’s availability. We suggest choosing the option that best suits your needs.

How long does anxiety therapy last?

On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.

Is therapy worth it for anxiety?

Yes, it is worth going to therapy for anxiety. If you are struggling with regular anxious thoughts and feelings that are affecting your day-to-day life or you suspect that you have an anxiety disorder, you should seek expert anxiety help.

Need more help deciding?

Anxiety Counseling in Irvine, CA—Therapists and Counselors at Thriveworks

If you’re struggling with recurring anxiety and are ready to seek support, the mental health professionals at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA are here to help. Call us today at (657) 315-1250 to start managing your anxiety effectively.

Do I Have Anxiety? What Are the Symptoms?

Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, but persistent anxiety can significantly disrupt your life. Common symptoms include:

  • Racing thoughts
  • Inability to focus on daily tasks
  • Constant fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Overwhelming stress
  • Desire to avoid social encounters
  • Reliving traumatic experiences in dreams or flashbacks

Sharing your specific symptoms with your anxiety therapist will help them offer personalized treatment options.

How Can Thriveworks in Irvine, CA Help Me with My Anxiety?

Your treatment will be based on the severity and nature of your anxiety. At Thriveworks in Irvine, CA, our counselors and therapists can help by:

  • Teaching coping mechanisms for real-life, anxiety-inducing situations
  • Using talk therapy or behavioral therapy to promote self-awareness
  • Correcting negative distortions that produce unhelpful thoughts

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are different types of anxiety disorders, including:

  • Social anxiety disorder: Causes distress during social interactions, making everyday activities difficult.
  • Panic disorder: Leads to panic attacks with symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, and nausea.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Causes anxiety in various scenarios, without a single source.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Involves irrational thought loops or repetitive physical actions.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Results from traumatic events, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and antisocial behavior.

Schedule an Anxiety Counseling Appointment at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA

Managing anxiety can be challenging, but professional help can make a significant difference. If you’re interested in partnering with a counselor or therapist at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA, we’re here to assist. Our scheduling specialists are available seven days a week to help you get started. Thriveworks offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Online therapy options
  • Evening and weekend availability
  • Email access to your provider outside of sessions
  • The digital edition of “Leaving Depression Behind” and other electronic mental health resources
  • Our Therapy Buddy app to track your progress

Don’t let anxiety control your life. Professional assistance can provide the relief you need. Contact Thriveworks in Irvine, CA, and let our counselors and therapists help you regain control. Call us today at (657) 315-1250.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Irvine therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Irvine
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
So thankful to have been connected to my therapist.
Sulyn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Irvine is off of Irvine Center Drive and Yale Avenue. We are across the street from Wildwood Park, and near Good Shepherd Preschool.

Phone number

(657) 315-1250

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • Vietnamese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Farsi
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in PT

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in PT

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