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What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, or uneasiness. Occasional anxiety is a normal response to uncertainty or stress. An anxiety disorder involves symptoms that persist, become difficult to manage, or interfere with daily life.

Anxiety disorders can take different forms. Generalized anxiety disorder involves ongoing, difficult-to-control worry. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of scrutiny in social situations. Panic disorder involves recurring unexpected panic attacks and concern about future attacks. Specific phobias involve strong fear of particular objects or situations.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “About a third of U.S. adolescents and adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.”[1]

A professional assessment helps clarify the nature of your symptoms and the care you may need. Experiencing anxiety does not mean you have failed to cope; it means you may benefit from additional support.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety affects thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behavior. Symptoms vary by person and by the type of anxiety involved.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

You may experience persistent worry, irritability, difficulty concentrating, or a sense of being on edge. Thoughts about possible problems can become difficult to interrupt, even when you recognize that your fear may be out of proportion to the situation.

Physical Symptoms

Anxiety may contribute to muscle tension, fatigue, stomach discomfort, sweating, trembling, and difficulty falling or staying asleep. Some people also experience a racing heartbeat or shortness of breath during periods of intense fear.

Behavioral Effects

Fear may lead you to avoid social situations, postpone responsibilities, or withdraw from activities you value. Over time, these changes can affect your work, relationships, and independence.

Because some symptoms overlap with medical conditions or substance-related effects, an evaluation is important. New or severe chest pain or breathing difficulties should receive prompt medical attention rather than being assumed to be anxiety.

When Should You Seek Anxiety Treatment?

You do not have to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming to ask for help. Treatment may be worth considering when symptoms repeatedly disrupt sleep, work, relationships, or daily activities.

Other reasons to seek support include increasing avoidance, difficulty controlling worry, recurring panic attacks, or using alcohol or drugs to manage distress. If your usual coping strategies no longer feel sufficient, a mental health professional can help you explore additional options.

For people in Sherman Oaks and the greater Los Angeles area, contacting THC Recovery can be a first step toward understanding available care.

Anxiety IOP: Schedule, Structure, and What to Expect

Treatment begins with understanding the person experiencing the symptoms. THC Recovery uses personalized treatment plans and provides integrated care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

An assessment considers mental health symptoms, medical history, substance use, and the ways these concerns affect daily life. This information helps guide treatment recommendations and the appropriate level of support.

Depending on your needs, care may include individual therapy, group sessions, coping skills, and medication management when clinically appropriate. Goals may include understanding triggers, responding differently to anxious thoughts, improving emotional regulation, and participating more fully in everyday life.

Treatment is an ongoing process. As your needs change, your plan can be reviewed to support continued progress. Our team can explain which services are available for your circumstances, including whether treatment for anxiety without a co-occurring substance use disorder is appropriate within our programs.

Therapy Options That May Support Anxiety Treatment

THC Recovery offers several therapies and supportive services. The approaches included in your plan depend on your assessment and goals. Some directly address anxiety, while others support trauma recovery, daily functioning, or co-occurring substance use treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-supported treatment for anxiety. It helps you examine the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions, recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, and practice more effective responses to feared situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy teaches skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. These skills can support people who struggle to manage intense emotions or respond to distress in ways that create additional problems.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy gives you time to discuss personal concerns, explore triggers, and work toward specific goals with a therapist. Sessions can help connect what you learn in treatment to challenges in your everyday life.

Group Therapy

Group therapy provides opportunities to learn coping skills, share experiences, and practice communication in a therapeutic setting. Connecting with others can also help reduce feelings of isolation.

Trauma and PTSD Therapy

When traumatic experiences contribute to distress, trauma and PTSD therapy may be part of treatment. Anxiety and PTSD are distinct conditions, and assessment helps identify which concerns need attention.

EMDR Therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy used for trauma-related symptoms. It may be considered when trauma is part of your clinical picture, based on your needs and readiness for this approach.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy supports overall well-being alongside clinical treatment. Practices such as mindfulness and relaxation may help with stress management, but they do not replace appropriate mental health care.

Life Skills Therapy

Life skills therapy focuses on practical tools for daily functioning. Building routines, improving communication, and learning to manage responsibilities can support recovery beyond therapy sessions.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing helps people explore their goals and feelings about change. It can support participation in treatment when uncertainty or competing priorities make it difficult to move forward.

Relapse Prevention Therapy

For people with co-occurring substance use concerns, relapse prevention therapy helps identify triggers and develop a plan for responding to them. This may include learning how to manage anxiety without returning to harmful substance use.

Levels of Care for Anxiety Treatment in Sherman Oaks

The right level of care depends on symptom severity, safety, daily functioning, and other treatment needs. THC Recovery offers outpatient levels of care and related services that can support an individualized plan.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our partial hospitalization program offers a structured outpatient setting for people who need a higher level of support. PHP may be considered when more frequent treatment is appropriate and round-the-clock care is not required.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Our intensive outpatient program provides regular therapeutic support while clients continue living at home. It may serve as an initial level of care or a transition from a more intensive program, depending on clinical needs.

Outpatient Program (OP)

Our outpatient program offers a less intensive treatment schedule for people whose needs can be addressed with that level of support. It can help clients continue practicing recovery skills while managing everyday responsibilities.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment addresses mental health and substance use disorders together. When anxiety and addiction occur alongside one another, integrated care considers their interaction and supports recovery in both areas.

Anxiety and Substance Use: Addressing Both Together

Anxiety and substance use can overlap in complex ways. Some people use alcohol or drugs to seek temporary relief from distress. Substance use and withdrawal can also contribute to anxiety symptoms, making it harder to understand what is driving them.

Our dual diagnosis approach addresses co-occurring concerns within a coordinated treatment plan. Therapy, medication management when appropriate, and relapse prevention support can help clients work toward healthier ways of managing distress.

An assessment is essential because the timing and nature of symptoms matter. Treatment should reflect your full history and current needs.

What to Expect When You Contact THC Recovery

Reaching out allows you to ask questions and explain what you are experiencing. Our team can discuss available programs, the assessment process, and whether our services fit your needs.

You can also ask about scheduling, insurance verification, and potential out-of-pocket costs. 

Coverage depends on your specific plan and the services recommended, so verification is an important part of understanding your options.

If treatment at THC Recovery is appropriate, your care plan will reflect your clinical needs and recovery goals. You can ask how progress is reviewed and what ongoing support may be available.

Anxiety Treatment for Sherman Oaks and Los Angeles Residents

THC Recovery is located in Sherman Oaks and serves individuals throughout Los Angeles, CA, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. Our outpatient programs allow clients to receive treatment while continuing to live outside the facility, when that setting is clinically appropriate.

The Healthier Choice Recovery
15335 Morrison St, Suite 218–220
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-538-3060 

Contact our team to discuss program availability, scheduling, and the level of care that may meet your needs.

Take the Next Step Toward Anxiety Treatment

You deserve support when anxiety makes daily life difficult. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone you love, a conversation can help you better understand the options available.

Our treatment program in Sherman Oaks serves people throughout Los Angeles, CA, with personalized care for mental health and substance use concerns. Reach out to discuss your needs and explore whether our programs are right for you.

Call 818-538-3060 or contact THC Recovery today to learn more about how we can help you manage your anxiety. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment in Los Angeles

How do I know whether I need professional anxiety treatment?

If anxiety repeatedly interferes with your sleep, relationships, work, or everyday activities, an assessment can help. You can seek support before symptoms become severe.

What therapies are used to treat anxiety?

CBT is a commonly used, research-supported treatment. Other approaches may support emotional regulation, trauma recovery, or co-occurring conditions. The right combination depends on your diagnosis and goals.

What is the difference between PHP, IOP, and outpatient treatment?

These programs differ in treatment intensity and structure. PHP generally provides the most intensive outpatient support, followed by IOP and then standard outpatient care. Your assessment helps determine the appropriate level.

Can anxiety and addiction be treated together?

Yes. THC Recovery offers dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including anxiety alongside addiction.

Does anxiety treatment always involve medication?

No. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination. Medication decisions should be made with a qualified prescriber who considers your symptoms, health history, and preferences.

Does insurance cover treatment at THC Recovery?

Coverage varies by insurer, plan, and recommended services. Contact THC Recovery to request insurance verification and discuss potential costs before beginning care.

 

References:

  1. The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Anxiety Disorders
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