Pergola
For the part of you that can't quite land

Therapy for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to therapy, and also one of the most slippery. Sometimes it shows up as a loop of what-ifs. Sometimes as a body that won't unclench. Sometimes as a decision that should be easy and suddenly isn't. The version of anxiety you have might not look like anyone else's.

The therapists on this page work with the full range of it — generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, the high-functioning variety that looks fine from the outside and feels relentless on the inside. Some use CBT or ACT to help you change your relationship to anxious thoughts. Some draw from somatic work to help your nervous system feel safer in the first place. Most do both, in some combination, depending on what's actually going on with you.

Good therapy for anxiety isn't about making the feeling go away. It's about learning to recognize the alarm for what it is, and building the kind of life where the alarm doesn't get to make all your decisions.

3 therapists offering anxiety therapy
Sarah Chen, LMFT, therapist in Bay Area
Sarah Chen, LMFT
Hayes Valley, San Francisco

Helping adults navigate anxiety and life transitions

AnxietyLife TransitionsTrauma / PTSD
Accepting new clients$220/session
Priya Raman, PsyD, therapist in Seattle
Priya Raman, PsyD
Capitol Hill, Seattle

Trauma-focused care for first and second-generation adults

Trauma / PTSDFamilyAnxiety
Accepting new clients$275/session
James Okafor, LPCC, therapist in Bay Area
James Okafor, LPCC
Oakland

ADHD, burnout, and building a life that actually fits

ADHDAnxietyLife Transitions
Waitlist$200/session

Common questions

How do I know if I should see a therapist for anxiety?+
You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to start. If anxiety is getting in the way of how you want to live — sleep, work, relationships, the choices you make — that's reason enough. Most people wait longer than they needed to. Coming to therapy earlier is almost always easier than coming later.
What kinds of therapy work best for anxiety?+
There's no single best approach — it depends on the shape your anxiety takes. CBT is the most studied and is especially helpful for panic and phobias. ACT is useful when anxiety is tangled up with values and big life questions. Somatic and EMDR approaches tend to work well when anxiety has a trauma component. Many of the therapists in this directory blend approaches rather than sticking to one.
How long does it take for therapy to help with anxiety?+
Most people notice some relief in the first 4–6 sessions — not because the anxiety is gone, but because something in the way they hold it has shifted. Meaningful, lasting change usually takes 3–6 months of weekly work. Some people stay longer; some finish sooner. Your therapist will check in regularly on whether the work is helping.
Should I see a therapist or try medication first?+
For most people, therapy alone is a good place to start. If your anxiety is severe, if it's interfering with sleep or daily function, or if therapy alone isn't moving the needle after a few months, medication (prescribed by a psychiatrist or primary care doctor) can be a useful addition. The therapists on Pergola can help you think through the question, and many can refer you to a psychiatrist they trust.
Can I do anxiety therapy over video?+
Yes. Anxiety is one of the concerns that research consistently shows does well in telehealth. If you'd rather not drive, or if leaving the house is part of what's hard right now, video therapy is a real option. Look for "Video sessions" or "Video and in-person" on each profile.

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