Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety
Break free from social anxiety, worry, panic, and OCD
In-Person Therapy | LGBTQ-Affirmative
Serving clients in West LA, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood
BRETT MARROQUIN, PH.D. | Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Sometimes anxiety feels like a cloud that follows you everywhere, keeping you from connecting with others or moving toward the life you want to live.
Other times anxiety is terrifying. You can feel it coming at you like a tidal wave — and you don’t know how to escape.
Anxiety can take a lot of different forms, but when it’s overwhelming, out of proportion, or getting in the way of your life, it may be time to seek help.
The good news is that there are solid, effective, scientifically-tested treatments. In many cases, research shows that treatment can be effective in as little as 12-20 weeks.
Common Anxiety Issues I Treat
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SOCIAL ANXIETY
Conversations, dating, social activities, work interactions, standing up for yourself, worrying about what other people think of you.
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PANIC ATTACKS
Sudden, intense rushes of fear or anxiety that often feel physical in nature. Sometimes for a reason you can identify; sometimes out of the blue.
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CONSTANT WORRYING
Nonstop thoughts about what could go wrong and what the future holds. An exhausting cycle of uncertainty and “What if’s.”
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INTRUSIVE OR OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS
Excessive concerns about germs, safety, structure, ordering (or many other types of thoughts or impulses that seem hard to break free of).
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EXCESSIVE FEARS
Public spaces, public speaking, driving, visiting the doctor, animals, and many other specific fears.
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AVOIDING PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES
Keeping yourself back from the people, places, and activities you care about out of fear or discomfort.
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RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES
Trouble making new connections, disagreements, tension, or difficulty being understood because of your anxiety.
How I help with anxiety
In CBT, I focus on helping you better understand how fear and anxiety work, including how the “lenses” we use to interpret the world around us can often lead to negative feelings, and to behavior (like avoidance) that creates a vicious cycle that actually makes things worse.
Treatment often focuses on:
Learning more about how fear and anxiety work
Differentiating between “helpful” and “unhelpful” anxiety
Stepping back to observe your typical ways of interpreting sensations and situations, and then exploring new ones
Practicing concrete coping skills to use in situations you’ve been avoiding
Connecting with the personal values that will help you move forward even in the face of distress
Balancing acceptance and change of emotional experience