Anxiety Therapy in San Diego and Online Across California  

Find Relief from Overthinking, Constant Worry and the Exhaustion of Holding It All Together

I provide anxiety therapy in San Diego and throughout California to adults and teens struggling with overthinking, chronic worry and emotional overwhelm. One of the things I hear most often is, “I don’t even know why I’m anxious—I just can’t seem to turn my mind off.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Perhaps you look like you’re handling everything on the outside—showing up, getting things done, staying responsible—but internally your mind feels busy, restless and hard to quiet.

You replay conversations. Second-guess decisions. Anticipate what could go wrong. Sometimes a major life change or ongoing stress activates this pattern, and your body responds with tension, racing thoughts, or a constant sense of urgency. Other times, even when nothing is specifically “wrong,” your body still feels on alert.

That gap between how you appear externally and how you feel internally often reflects patterns your mind and nervous system have learned over time—and it’s exactly what we work on together in therapy.

The encouraging news is that these patterns can change. Therapy isn’t about becoming a different person—it’s about getting out of “survival” mode and feeling more calm, more confident, and more like yourself again,

What Is Anxiety

If you recognized yourself in some of the patterns above, you’re not alone. This is how anxiety often shows up—subtly, persistently and often beneath the surface.

Anxiety isn’t a flaw in your wiring — it’s your nervous system trying to protect you. The problem isn’t that it exists; it’s that it stays switched on long after it needs to.

Anxiety can show up as:

• Persistent worry or overthinking
• Mental “loops” or racing thoughts
• Difficulty relaxing or making decisions
• Physical tension, fatigue or restlessness
• Sleep disruption or difficulty turning the mind off

Over time, anxiety can start to feel like your baseline—even when life appears “fine” on the outside. It can quietly affect your daily life, work, relationships and ability to feel present.

This is why anxiety can feel confusing—it’s happening internally, even when there’s no clear external cause.

What Anxiety Often Feels Like

Because anxiety often happens internally, it can be hard to describe—but many people recognize it in moments like these:

• “My mind won’t shut off.”
• “I overthink everything.”
• “I can’t relax even when I try.”
• “I feel like something is wrong, even when nothing is.”

You might notice:

• Constant worry and mental scanning for problems
• Replaying conversations or decisions
• Difficulty being present in the moment
• Feeling easily overwhelmed or on edge
• Irritability or mental fatigue
• Physical symptoms like tight chest, stomach tension or restlessness

Anxiety doesn’t always look obvious, and it can create a sense of unease that’s hard to turn off. This is often the point where people start to wonder why it keeps happening—and whether it can actually change.

Why Anxiety Keeps Happening

Anxiety often feels like it comes out of nowhere, but there’s usually more happening beneath the surface.

Over time, your brain and nervous system learn patterns designed to protect you. The challenge is that these protective patterns can continue long after they’re needed, leaving us feeling constantly alert, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in cycles of worry and overthinking.

Many people are surprised to discover that anxiety isn’t just about worry. It often includes overthinking, perfectionism, self-criticism, constantly scanning for potential problems, a nervous system that stays on high alert, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty.

You may notice patterns such as:

• overthinking as a way to feel safe
• mental scanning for problems
• difficulty tolerating uncertainty
• self-criticism or pressure to perform
• emotional tension even during calm moments

These aren’t personality traits or fixed parts of who you are. They’re learned responses shaped by your experiences, your environment, and the way your mind and nervous system adapted to help you cope over time.

Once these patterns become automatic, it can be difficult to simply “think your way out” of anxiety. It’s not only happening in your thoughts—it’s also reflected in how your body has learned to respond.

Many of my clients appear to function exceptionally well on the outside. They’re successful, responsible, and capable. Yet internally they often feel overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or stuck in anxious patterns that others don’t see.

The encouraging news is that learned patterns can be changed. Our brains are remarkably adaptable. With the right support, new experiences, and intentional practice, it’s possible to strengthen healthier patterns that make it easier to feel calmer, think more clearly, and respond to life’s challenges with greater confidence.

What Is High-Functioning Anxiety

For many, these patterns don’t interfere with functioning on the outside—but they create a constant sense of pressure internally. Many clients I work with experience this high-functioning anxiety. On the outside, you may appear capable, driven and reliable. Internally, it can feel very different.

You might notice:

• A constant inner pressure to get things “right”
• Difficulty feeling like you’ve done enough
• A persistent inner critical voice
• Overthinking decisions and interactions
• Feeling mentally exhausted while still pushing through
• A persistent sense of tension or “being on”

Because life still functions externally, this experience is often minimized or overlooked—by others, and sometimes by yourself. Internally you may be feeling drained, isolated and overwhelmed.

Recognizing this pattern is often the first step toward changing it. Clients often describe a sense of relief simply from realizing there’s a reason they feel this way—and that it isn’t a personal failing. This is often the point where clients recognize that they don’t want to keep managing anxiety—they want to feel differently. If this sounds like you, connect with me for support.

How Anxiety Therapy Can Help

Anxiety therapy is not about “just relaxing” or thinking positively. It is about learning how to feel better. I’ve worked with many people who appear calm and successful on the outside while privately feeling exhausted by constant worry, overthinking, and a mind, or “constant chatter,” that never seems to fully quiet down.

In therapy, you start to understand how your thoughts, body and emotions interact. We’ll explore the experiences and triggers that keep your anxiety active. As you begin to make shifts in your thinking, you simultaneously learn ways to regulate your nervous system more effectively.

In our work together, you can begin to:

• Feel calmer physically instead of constantly “on edge”
• Step out of overthinking and mental loops
• Feel more grounded and present in daily life
• Respond to stress with more clarity instead of reactivity
• Reduce self-criticism and internal pressure
• Manage conflict and feel more connected in your relationships
• Navigate uncertainty without spiraling
• Improve emotional balance and resilience

This work is practical, supportive and focused on helping you experience real-life change—not just understand why you’re struggling. It’s about helping you feel more at ease, reducing symptoms and feeling more like yourself. Often clients notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions, not because anxiety disappears, but because they begin responding to it differently.

My Approach to Anxiety Therapy

As an anxiety therapist with over 26 years of experience, my approach is collaborative, grounded and tailored to you. We begin with what is most present and work step by step together. We move at your pace — no quick fixes, no overwhelm, no one-size-fits-all plan.

Sessions are purposeful — focused on real, lasting progress. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.

I integrate evidence-based methods including:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness and Somatic Techniques
• Neuroscience-based Research
• Solution-Focused and Supportive Therapy

This is a space where you can feel supported and not judged.

Who I Work With

I provide therapy for anxiety to clients throughout California, including San Diego where I’m based, via secure online therapy.

I commonly work with:

• Professionals and executives experiencing burnout or mental exhaustion
• High-achieving individuals who feel overwhelmed internally
• People navigating life transitions or identity shifts, often at different seasons of life
• Parents managing stress alongside family demands
• Individuals dealing with perfectionism and/or self-criticism
• Teens struggling with anxiety, social pressure and self-confidence
• Individuals struggling with overthinking or rumination
• Individuals additionally experiencing depression, panic, performance anxiety or ADHD

Whether your anxiety is new or something you’ve carried for years, therapy can help you move forward. Many of my clients tell me they wish they’d reached out sooner to address their anxiety symptoms.

Online Anxiety Therapy From Anywhere In California

I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video telehealth therapy across California. Online therapy allows you to access support from your own space, making it easier to stay consistent and engaged without added stress or commuting.

Getting Started Is Simple

Anxiety does not mean something is wrong with you. It often means your mind and body have learned to stay alert for too long. Therapy can help you feel more at ease in your own mind—without having to carry the heaviness alone. Getting started doesn’t have to feel complicated. Here’s how it works:

1. Reach out through my contact form
2. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation
3. Begin therapy at a pace that feels right for you

I’ll guide you through each step, so you feel comfortable and supported. If you’re tired of carrying so much in your mind all the time, support is available — and change is possible. Let’s connect.

Common Misconceptions About Anxiety Therapy

There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what anxiety therapy involves — and some of those misconceptions can get in the way of getting help for yourself. Here are a few I hear often:

Myth #1: “I should be able to handle this on my own.”  Anxiety isn’t a sign that you’re weak or incapable — it’s your nervous system response. We wouldn’t expect you to manage a broken bone without support, and the same logic applies here. Reaching out isn’t a failure to cope—it’s a step towards feeling better. If you’re curious how anxiety shows up as overthinking, you can explore more here.

Myth #2: “My anxiety isn’t bad enough to need therapy.”  You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from support. If anxiety is affecting your sleep, relationships, work or ability to be present — that’s enough.

Myth #3: “I’ve had anxiety my whole life — This is just who I am.”  Anxiety is a pattern—not a personality trait. You don’t have to carry it, or live in constant worry forever. You can read more about worry and overthinking on my blog.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation

Related Areas of Support

Anxiety often shows up alongside other emotional experiences, especially during stress, change, or internal pressure. You may also benefit from exploring:

• Life transitions therapy for navigating uncertainty, change, or identity shifts
• Women’s therapy for support with overthinking, emotional overwhelm, and the mental load
• Depression and self-esteem therapy when anxiety begins to affect mood, confidence or motivation
• Relationship therapy for reassurance-seeking, communication challenges, or attachment-related anxiety
• Trauma-informed therapy for understanding how past experiences may be contributing to anxiety, overthinking, or nervous system activation
• Grief and loss support when worry or rumination is connected to emotional loss or bereavement

You don’t have to manage anxiety in isolation—therapy can help you understand what’s driving it and begin to feel more grounded and in control of your emotional experience.

Ready to get started? Reach out here to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss if therapy together is a good fit.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy

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How do I know if I need therapy for anxiety?

You don’t have to wait until things feel “severe.” If worry, overthinking or tension is affecting your sleep, relationships, work or ability to feel present — that’s enough. Many people I work with look fine on the outside but feel overwhelmed, self-critical or constantly “on” inside. If any of that sounds familiar, therapy can help you understand why anxiety keeps showing up and what to do about it.

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What types of anxiety do you help with?

I work with adults and teens experiencing:

• Generalized anxiety and chronic worry
• Overthinking and racing thoughts
• Social anxiety
• Panic symptoms
• Stress and life transition-related anxiety
• Performance or perfectionism-related anxiety

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What is high-functioning anxiety?

High-functioning anxiety is when someone appears capable and put-together on the outside, but internally experiences constant worry, pressure and mental exhaustion. Read more about high functioning anxiety. If this sounds familiar, let’s connect— it’s one of the most common things I work with.

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What is anxiety therapy and how can it help me?

Anxiety therapy helps you understand the patterns keeping anxiety active while teaching practical ways to respond differently. Together we work with both thought patterns and your nervous system so anxiety no longer feels like it’s running your life.

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What’s the difference between stress and anxiety?

Stress is usually tied to a specific situation, such as work, relationships, or life changes, and often eases when the situation passes.

Anxiety is more persistent. It can continue even when there is no clear external cause and may show up as: ongoing worry or overthinking, physical tension or restlessness, or difficulty sleeping or relaxing. If it’s sticking around, that’s worth paying attention to.

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How long does anxiety therapy take?

The length of therapy depends on your goals and what you’re experiencing. Some people feel relief within a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support to work through deeper patterns. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you.

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What happens in the first therapy session?

The first session is a chance to understand what you’re experiencing and what you’d like support with. We’ll talk about what’s been going on, what feels most difficult and what you’re hoping will change. You don’t need to prepare anything. We begin wherever you are.

Schedule a Free Consultation here — I’m happy to answer any questions and help you figure out if this feels like the right fit.

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Do you offer anxiety therapy in San Diego?

Yes, I frequently works with adults and adolescents in San Diego from La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, , as well as many other communities including the Poway Unified School District where she networks with school and community mental health providers through the PUSD Caring Connections community program. I also work with Tricare insurance and supports many military family members throughout the San Diego communities. Learn more about working with Kim Jones MA, MFT.

Online therapy allows you to receive consistent support from your own space, which many people find helps them feel more comfortable and engaged in the process. You can read more about online therapy effectiveness.

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Do you provide anxiety therapy outside of San Diego in California?

Yes. I am licensed in California and offer secure online anxiety therapy throughout California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Francisco Bay Area. I was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and support many clients from my Southbay hometown areas including Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Saratoga, Palo Alto and San Jose.

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Ready to get support?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in worry, or simply tired of carrying so much on your own, therapy can help you understand what’s happening while giving you practical tools to move forward with greater confidence.

Learn More About Anxiety:

Understanding Anxiety:

• 5 Signs You Might Be Struggling with Anxiety
• High-Functioning Anxiety: Signs & Therapy
• Why I Can’t Stop Worrying?
• Online Therapy for Anxiety: Does It Actually Work?

Overthinking:

• How to Stop Overthinking: When Your Mind Won’t Slow Down
• Overthinking In Relationships – Why It Happens and How To Stop
• Why Your Mind Won’t Shut Off at Night — And What to Do About It
• Why You Can’t Let Things Go and How Perfectionism Quietly Takes Over

Free Resources:

• Coping Skills Guide-Simple Tools to Manage Anxiety, Stress & Overwhelm
• Burnout & High Achievers Guide