Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Topanga, CA.

it's normal to feel anxious or feel stress out sometimes. Everyone experiences anxiety differently. Some feel it in their bodies where others feel it emotionally (hard time breathing, shortness of breath, feeling overwhelmed, sweaty hands, muscle tension (headache, neck pain, back pain ), racing thoughts, and so on. In therapy, we will work together to find triggers to your worry and find ways to decrease symptoms. ​

Stress and anxiety are often the root causes leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as addiction and eating disorders. By evaluating triggers for stress and/or anxiety and developing healthy coping strategies (often with cognitive behavioral interventions), patients learn to self regulate and experience significant mood improvement. When necessary, referrals for medications are made as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

Dr. Levine is an expert in treating anxiety and stress-related disorders. Employing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) he uses what are known as "evidence-based treatments." Dr. Levine received exceptional specialized training in this field by completing a 2-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) at Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia. He was also a clinical psychologist for the hit TV series "Hoarders" on the A&E Network. He specializes in anxiety disorders, phobias and OCD and is a clinical member of the OC Foundation. Call or write to him now for the help you deserve.

Anxiety and stress are nature made, preparing us to step up our efforts for the important and meaningful tasks which come up in our lives. Sometimes this system needlessly overreacts and responds to everyday stressors in the environment in a paralyzing way. When this happens, it feels distressing and uncomfortable. It is hard to stay focused, concentrate, and finish what we need to be doing. Often physical signs such as rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, and shortness of breath can be present as well. This is the point where many clients come to therapy. I find anxiety and stress symptoms are very well treated with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and mindfulness.

Much like depression, anxiety and stress is something we all deal with at some point in our lives. Anxiety, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. In fact, some anxiety is not only healthy, but necessary for us to get things done. Without some anxiety, we lack motivation to take action. However, anxiety can become problematic when it overwhelms and paralyzes us. Therapy helps by giving us a space to learn skills to better manage the anxiety and no longer feel gripped by it. I use a holistic/mindful approach consisting of connecting the mind, body, and the environment (incorporating all 5 senses) to live fully in the present moment with respect and compassion for ourselves.

While most treatment approaches for anxiety and stress are effective on the surface, they dont treat the real problem. Mantras, deep breathing, and rational dialogues about your fear being irrational rarely work---for most people dont believe it or you!. Imagine if you can trick the brain into changing without you telling your conscious mind that you are changing it? Problem with anxiety and stress is that the brain in this state knows you want to change it and it resists. Contact Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com for the ultimate stress and anxiety solution that will literally change your brain's autonomic nervous system patterns while you sit on your butt. 877-606-6161

I begin by understanding how you experience anxiety/stress because how you experience them is unique for you. Then we begin to increase your tolerance for how you experience anxious/stressful thoughts, feelings, memories, and/or situations. This is necessary so the anxiety/stress stops being an overwhelming experience that interferes and gets in the way of your life. It's crucial to be able to become more comfortable when you experience anxiety/stress because they're a part life. The problem is the distressing and limiting to debilitating effect they have on you. As you learn to be able to do this, you will begin to experience more peacefulness, calm, hope, self-confidence and self-esteem.

I help clients navigate anxiety and stress by creating a grounding, supportive environment where they can slow down, explore the roots of their overwhelm, and reconnect with a sense of control. My approach combines practical tools, like nervous system regulation and mindfulness-based strategies, with deeper exploration of patterns and beliefs that may be fueling anxiety. I work collaboratively to help clients build resilience, set boundaries, and feel more empowered in their day-to-day lives. Relief is possible, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

How can therapy help with anxiety and stress? By making sure that your life style does not fuel anxiety… determining necessary changes by implementing relaxation techniques and daily lifestyle habits... exploring past experiences, emotional needs, ways of coping that you developed early on and how they impact everyday reactions (automatic thoughts, feelings, actions)… learning various techniques to take more control of your thoughts and feelings and respond more effectively to emotional triggers.

Many clients present with increasing levels of stress and anxiety in their lives. Therapy becomes centered around identifying triggers for anxiety symptoms, recent stressors in their lives, and identifying symptoms. Often times, we find together that anxiety has been in their life for a long time and that old patterns of behavior has accompanied it. We explore some of those patterns to identify the triggers and find new coping skills to practice when stress arrives. I find it helpful to collaborate with the client on setting goals and working at a speed that is comfortable to each client. This provides empowerment and confidence in working toward new ways of handling the stresses of living.

Stress at work or school, relationship stress, financial stress, health issues often are precursors for people to seek psychotherapy. Disturbances in sleep and appetite and an inability to attend and concentrate can undermine one's work performance or a student's ability to successfully master the demands of school. I have experience treating teachers, nurses, doctors and lawyers with anxiety and stress and, as well, see college and graduate and law school students form universities in the Los Angeles area, including USC, UCLA and Loyola.

Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? My sessions provide a calming space to understand the root of your anxieties. We'll work together to identify triggers and develop practical tools to manage anxious thoughts and emotions. This might involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to challenge negative thought patterns, relaxation techniques to manage physical symptoms, or mindfulness exercises to cultivate present-moment awareness. Together, we'll create a personalized plan to help you navigate anxiety effectively and build a sense of calm in your life.

Anxiety is an inability to be fully relaxed. It is mental and physical tension. Many things cause it and many things perpetuate it. Not all anxiety is bad or needs to be extinguished. I work with the client to understand the meaning of their anxiety. I find sometimes people are not consciously aware of the real reasons they cannot feel relaxed. Enlisting the client's sense of curiosity about their own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations I aim to identify their symptoms of anxiety and the origins of them. I utilize cognitive behavioral and mindfulness strategies to identify and replace unhelpful thoughts with more productive ones.