Anxiety Therapy for Teen and Adult Women in Los Altos, CA
Anxiety can show up in a lot of ways. Maybe you’re lying awake replaying conversations, feeling knots in your stomach before school or work, or trying to hold everything together while feeling like you’re falling apart inside.
Or maybe you feel like you're in a constant state of worry or dread, about one specific thing or what feels like everything.
Maybe you've developed a set of rituals or behaviors that help to quell the anxiety, but the relief is short lived and just comes back with a vengeance, and the behaviors are time consuming and distracting you from the life you want to live.
You might also feel pressure to be “on” all the time. Kind, capable, put‑together, high‑achieving. From the outside, people might say you’re doing great. Inside, you might feel wired, exhausted, and tired of overthinking everything.
You’re not “too much,” and you’re not broken. Anxiety is your nervous system trying to keep you safe, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Therapy can help you understand what’s going on, feel less alone, and build tools that actually fit your real life.
What Does Anxiety Look Like?
Many of the women I work with are high-achieving, thoughtful, and caring. From the outside, it may look like you have everything together. On the inside, you might feel tired, tense, and consumed by self-criticism or fears about the future.
I can help you understand both the emotional and physical sides of your experience. We’ll work at a pace that feels safe, steady, and sustainable.
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. You might notice:
• Constant worrying or overthinking, especially at night
• Trouble relaxing or feeling “on” all the time
• Tightness in your chest, racing heart, stomach issues, or headaches
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Fear of disappointing others or making mistakes
• Avoiding situations that feel overwhelming or uncertain
• A cycle of intrusive thoughts, anxious feelings, and repetitive behavior patterns
Working with Liz
My approach is collaborative, warm, and practical. I draw from several evidence-based therapies, and tailor your therapy to suit your needs, goals, and comfort level.
Across all of these approaches, we will:
• Get curious about your patterns instead of judging them
• Understand where your anxiety comes from and what triggers it
• Build skills to calm your body and settle your mind
• Practice new ways of responding to worry, fear, or pressure
• Create changes that support you in the long term, not just quick fixes
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured form of therapy that looks at the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s especially helpful when anxiety shows up as constant worry, worst-case-scenario thinking, or harsh self-criticism.
In CBT for anxiety, we will:
• Notice common thinking patterns that fuel anxiety, such as catastrophizing or all‑or‑nothing thinking
• Gently test out your anxious predictions against real-life evidence
• Shift from “What if everything goes wrong?” to more balanced, realistic thoughts
• Explore how your behaviors, such as avoiding situations or people, might keep anxiety in place
• Practice small, manageable changes that build confidence over time
CBT gives you clear tools and language to understand what’s happening in your mind. Many clients appreciate that it’s concrete and skills-based, and that they can use these tools outside of session in everyday life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you build a different relationship with your thoughts and feelings. Instead of fighting anxiety or trying to “turn it off,” we focus on making space for what shows up while moving toward what matters most in your life.
Together we will:
• Notice unhelpful thought patterns without getting pulled into them
• Practice skills for staying present, even when you feel anxious
• Clarify your values: what kind of person you want to be in relationships, work, and daily life
• Take small, supported steps toward those values, even when anxiety is along for the ride
ACT can be especially helpful if you’ve tried to “logic” your way out of anxiety or feel stuck in perfectionism. It offers a gentle, empowering way to relate to your inner world so you can create a life that feels more meaningful, flexible, and aligned with who you are.
When anxiety is tied to specific situations like driving, social situations, health worries, or certain places, gradual exposure can be very effective. “Exposure” doesn’t mean being pushed into something you’re not ready for. Instead, it means slowly and thoughtfully facing what you fear, with support, so your nervous system can learn that you’re actually safe.
Together, we will:
• Map out what triggers your anxiety and how intense each situation feels
• Create a step-by-step plan that moves at your pace
• Pair exposure with grounding and self-soothing skills so you feel prepared
• Notice and celebrate small wins, such as staying in a situation a few minutes longer or trying something you’ve avoided
• Rewrite the story that your anxiety has been telling you about what you can and can’t handle
This kind of work can feel challenging, but it’s also deeply empowering. Over time, many clients find they’re able to do things they once thought were impossible.
Exposure-Based Work for Specific Fears & Phobias
Mindfulness & Nervous System Regulation
Anxiety isn’t just in your thoughts, it’s in your body. That’s why mindfulness and nervous system regulation are important parts of how I work.
Mindfulness doesn’t mean “emptying your mind” or forcing yourself to be calm. Instead, it’s about gently noticing what’s happening inside you, without immediately reacting or judging yourself.
In our work together, we may:
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Practice simple grounding techniques you can use anywhere (breath work, orienting to the room, gentle movement)
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Learn how to recognize early signs of anxiety in your body before it spikes
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Explore ways to respond with curiosity and compassion, rather than panic or self-blame
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Build small rituals that help your body feel safer and more settled day to day
These practices can help you feel more present, less overwhelmed, and more able to choose how you want to respond, rather than feeling taken over by anxiety.
Getting Started
Getting started with therapy does not have to be overwhelming. In our complimentary 15-minute video consultation, we will talk about what anxiety looks like for you, what you would like to feel different, and see if it feels like a good fit. From there, we will create a plan together and move at a pace that feels safe and manageable.