Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or constantly on edge can take a toll on your life. Anxiety affects so many of us, and often it feels like there’s no way out of the constant worry. But there is hope. Anxiety therapy can be a powerful tool in helping you manage your symptoms and find balance. In this blog, we’ll look at how therapy can help, what a holistic approach looks like, and what you can expect during your first session.

The Benefits of Therapy for Anxiety Management

Therapy offers a safe space to talk about your worries and fears without judgment. With the right support, you can learn to understand your anxiety better and develop skills to manage it. Here are some key benefits of therapy for anxiety:

Understanding Your Triggers

One of the first steps in therapy is identifying what causes your anxiety. These triggers might be stress at work, relationship struggles, or past experiences. In therapy, you’ll work to uncover the underlying causes that may not always be obvious. Sometimes, even positive changes like a new job or moving to a new home can bring up unexpected feelings of anxiety. By taking the time to identify and explore these triggers, you can begin to understand why you feel anxious and how to manage those feelings before they become overwhelming.

The process of identifying triggers can also help you notice patterns in your thoughts or behaviors. Do certain situations or people make you feel uneasy? Does anxiety show up during specific times of the day? Recognizing these patterns allows you to take control of your anxiety rather than feeling at its mercy. Over time, you’ll learn to anticipate anxiety triggers and respond in healthier ways.

Learning Coping Strategies

In holistic anxiety therapy, you’ll learn tools and techniques to help manage anxiety in real-time. This might include deep breathing, mindfulness, or grounding exercises to bring you back to the present moment. These coping strategies are easy to use anywhere and can help you feel more in control of your anxiety.

Therapists often introduce coping tools that you can practice regularly, even outside of anxious moments. The goal is to create a “toolbox” of strategies that you can draw on when needed. For example, deep breathing exercises help regulate the nervous system and can be used to calm down in stressful situations. Mindfulness techniques can help you stay present and prevent your thoughts from spiraling into worry.

These coping skills not only help reduce anxiety at the moment but also build your long-term resilience. You’ll begin to trust yourself more and feel confident knowing that you have tools that work for you.

Breaking the Cycle of Worry

Anxiety often leads to a cycle of constant worry. One anxious thought leads to another, and before long, you’re trapped in a loop of worry that feels hard to break. Therapy helps you disrupt this cycle by changing the way you respond to anxious thoughts. You’ll learn to recognize when your thoughts are spinning out of control and develop healthier responses.

Cognitive-behavioral techniques, for instance, can help you challenge negative thinking patterns. Your therapist might guide you through identifying thoughts that are unrealistic or overly self-critical and replace them with more balanced, realistic ones. Over time, this shift in thinking can make a big difference in how you experience anxiety. The cycle of worry is replaced by a more calm, steady approach to life’s challenges.

What is Holistic Anxiety Therapy?

Holistic anxiety therapy looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms. When it comes to anxiety, the goal is to find balance in both mind and body. Holistic therapy recognizes that anxiety can come from many sources—physical, emotional, or even spiritual. It aims to address these different areas in an integrated way.

Techniques Used in Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy often combines traditional talk therapy with other approaches that target the body and mind connection. Here are some techniques used in a holistic approach:

Mindfulness Practices

Mindfulness helps you stay present and aware, without letting your mind wander into anxious thoughts. Techniques like deep breathing and guided meditation can calm the mind and reduce anxiety over time. Mindfulness isn’t about pushing away thoughts but rather observing them without judgment. Over time, this practice can help you feel less controlled by anxious thoughts and more grounded in the present moment.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the body and mind. When we feel anxious, our bodies often tense up, making the anxiety worse. Somatic techniques like gentle movement, body awareness, and relaxation exercises help release tension and restore balance.

Your body holds onto stress, and somatic therapy helps release it. Anxiety can manifest physically through headaches, muscle tightness, or an upset stomach. Somatic exercises might include body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or even gentle stretching to relieve physical tension. As you learn to notice and care for your body’s signals, you’ll find that your anxiety begins to lessen.

Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes

A holistic approach may also explore how lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, and exercise affect your anxiety. Simple changes like adjusting your diet, getting more rest, or practicing regular movement can make a big difference in how you feel day-to-day.

Sometimes, addressing physical health can directly influence mental well-being. For instance, poor sleep or a lack of essential nutrients can worsen anxiety symptoms. Your anxiety therapist might suggest tracking your sleep or exploring foods that support mental clarity. Small lifestyle shifts can have a big impact on your overall sense of calm.

Can Anxiety Be Treated Holistically?

Yes, anxiety can absolutely be treated holistically, in fact, I do it most days with my clients. A holistic approach sees anxiety as more than just a mental health issue. It looks at how physical health, emotional well-being, and even your environment all play a role in your anxiety levels.

For example, if you’re dealing with ongoing stress at work, it can show up as both mental and physical symptoms. Holistic therapy addresses both sides. You may work on your mindset through talk therapy but also explore ways to calm your body through mindfulness, breathing exercises, and even dietary changes.

Holistic treatment aims to get to the root cause of your anxiety, not just treat the symptoms. By addressing the whole person, holistic therapy gives you tools to create lasting change and feel more in control of your mental health.

What to Expect in Your First Anxiety Therapy Session

It’s natural to feel nervous before your first session, especially if you’ve never been to therapy before. Knowing what to expect can help ease some of that anxiety.

A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space

Your therapist will create a welcoming environment where you feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings. The first session is usually focused on getting to know you, understanding your struggles, and exploring your goals for therapy. You can take things at your own pace.

Your therapist may ask questions about your daily life, your past experiences, and what brings you to therapy. The goal is to build a relationship where you feel comfortable being open and honest. This safe space allows you to start exploring your anxiety without fear of judgment.

Exploring the Holistic Approach

Your therapist will likely introduce you to some of the holistic techniques mentioned earlier, like mindfulness or somatic exercises. They might also ask about your daily habits to see if there are areas, like sleep or diet, that could be contributing to your anxiety.

In your first few sessions, you’ll begin to understand how different parts of your life connect to your anxiety. This might include exploring your relationships, work-life balance, and even your physical health. Your therapist will help you see how small changes in these areas can lead to big improvements in how you feel overall.

Finding Hope Through Holistic Anxiety Therapy

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Therapy offers a path to healing that helps you regain balance and feel more in control. With the right support, you can break free from the constant cycle of worry and start living a life of calm and confidence.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward managing your anxiety and finding peace, Marilyn Ashley, LMFT, is here to help. Through holistic therapy, you can discover tools and strategies that work for you, so you can feel like yourself again. Reach out today and start your journey to a healthier, more balanced life.

Break Free From The Cycle of Anxiety With Holistic Anxiety Therapy in Manhattan Beach, CA

If you’re ready to find peace and balance by addressing the deeper causes of your anxiety, holistic anxiety therapy can help you begin healing from the inside out. By looking at the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—at Marilyn Ashley, LMFT we’ll work together to uncover and release what’s holding you back. Start your journey toward lasting relief and a more fulfilling life today. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

• Schedule Your 20-Minute Complimentary Phone Consultation
• Learn More About Me and My Services
• Begin addressing the deeper causes of your anxiety in positive ways!

Additional Services Offered By Marilyn Ashley, LMFT

At my Hermosa Beach, CA practice, holistic Anxiety Therapy is just one of the services I offer to help you begin addressing and healing from your anxiety. In addition to helping you cope with anxiety, I specialize in Life Transitions, Trauma, and Couples Therapy. At my Hermosa Beach, CA Practice, I work with adult clients from Manhattan Beach, Redondo, Beach El Segundo, and the rest of the South Bay area, and we work toward embracing your anxiety and using it as a tool for growth. I also offer online therapy sessions for those located anywhere else in California. By incorporating holistic practices into your daily life, you can support your overall well-being. I’m excited to work with you on your journey towards healing and growth. Together, let’s embrace your anxiety and learn how to thrive, not just survive! Check out my blog for more about holistic healing!