Who are the best anxiety therapists in Los Angeles?
Finding a therapist in Los Angeles can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of therapists to choose from and it can be difficult to know who has experience with the particular challenges you're facing.
If you’re already struggling with anxiety in the first place, the process of finding a therapist can be even more anxiety-producing than usual and keep many people from taking the first step towards getting the help they deserve.
To make things easier for you, I’ve curated a list of five top-quality therapists in Los Angeles that specialize in working with anxiety.
Of course, there's no single "best" therapist for everyone. The right therapist depends on your individual needs, the issues you want to work on, your preferred approach to therapy and the kind of relationship you want with your therapist.
So with that in mind, here are five top-rated therapists and therapy practices in Los Angeles that specifically work with anxiety:
1) Rachel Neporent Therapy
Summary: Rachel is an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles helping women relearn how to slow down and live with intention. In our modern world, anxiety has become so incredibly common that many women just assume it's something we have to live with. We push through the racing thoughts, keep ourselves busy and carry the emotional weight of constant worry. Her anxiety treatment focuses on two main areas: holistically helping you reduce symptoms in the moment (that includes coping skills and lifestyle changes) while also trying to understand where your anxiety is coming from and addressing the root causes so we can reduce your anxiety in the long run.
Location: West Hollywood, Los Angeles
Format: In-person and online throughout California
Image Source: justinegordontherapy.com
2) Justine Gordon Therapy
Summary: Justine works with ambitious adults in Los Angeles who appear high-functioning on the outside but internally feel overwhelmed by anxiety, overthinking and pressure. This therapy is designed to help high-achieving people with that typical “always on” personality - always thinking ahead, always planning, always in control. Starting therapy for your anxiety isn’t about becoming less driven or never feeling anxious again. It’s about helping you detach from the idea that your mind needs to be keeping you safe at all times, so that you no longer feel like you have to stay “on” 24/7.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Format: Online
Source: https://www.laurelsalmon.com
3) Laurel Salmon
Summary: Laurel offers anxiety therapy for adults who are ready to spend less time worrying, second-guessing, and criticizing themselves. In therapy, you’ll look at what’s happening underneath your anxiety and why certain situations seem to trigger the same reactions. You’ll explore the expectations you place on yourself, the fears that influence your decisions, and the beliefs that may be keeping you stuck in cycles of overthinking, self-doubt, and people-pleasing. Just as importantly, you’ll work on what you can do differently.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Format: In-person and virtual
Source: https://www.drkyledortch.com
4) Annabelle Kyle Dortch, PsyD
Summary: Annabelle offers individual teletherapy to adults and young adults navigating anxiety and chronic stress. Her main message to clients is this: you make sense in context. Throughout our lives, our minds & bodies are deeply impacted by both good & difficult experiences. We build defenses, nervous systems, & habits that may have ensured security in the past, but are now contributing to some of the difficulty & suffering in our own lives. Her therapy treatment incorporates Relational Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Theory, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR).
Location: California
Format: Online
Source: https://www.taravatankhah.com
5) Tara Vatankhah
Summary: Adolescence can feel overwhelming — for both teenagers and their parents. Tara offers a warm, grounded space where teens can talk openly, feel understood, and build healthier ways of coping with stress and anxiety. Her approach is warm, relational, and developmentally attuned. She blend evidence-based therapy with present-moment awareness to help teens understand their emotions, build internal resilience and feel more grounded.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Format: In-person in Santa Monica and online throughout California
How To Choose An Anxiety Therapist in Los Angeles
When you’re looking to find a new therapist, there are a few criteria that can help you make an informed choice and find a therapist that works for you.
1. Their areas of expertise
First and foremost, you should always look at their experience with the specific concerns you want to address, whether that's anxiety, relationships, trauma, self-worth, burnout, motherhood or something else.
2. Their experience working with people like you
If having a therapist who understands your life and what it’s like to be you is important to you, look for someone whose practice specifically reflects that focus.
3. Practical considerations
Location, online availability, scheduling, fees and insurance can all affect whether a therapist is a realistic fit.
4. Their therapeutic approach
Some therapists focus more on practical tools and changing thought patterns, while others emphasize relationships, attachment, past experiences or deeper emotional patterns.
5. Your personal connection
And last but certainly not least, therapy is personal. Almost all therapists offer free consultations that are designed to give you a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking with that particular therapist and whether their style feels right for you. When considering a therapist, always make sure to make use of that free consultation.
Meet The Author:
Rachel Neporent, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Women's Mental Health Therapist
Los Angeles, California
Areas of focus:
Rachel works with women across different seasons of life, helping clients navigate both immediate challenges and deeper patterns that may be affecting how they feel, relate and move through the world so they can live in alignment with their authentic self.
Therapeutic approaches:
Rachel takes a holistic, integrative approach to therapy, drawing from different therapeutic approaches based on each client's needs, goals, history and circumstances.
Therapy locations:
Los Angeles (in-person)
California (virtually)
Florida (virtually)
Interested in working with Rachel?
Learn more about Rachel's approach or schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation.
