Anxiety

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress and perceived threat. While it can be adaptive in short bursts, anxiety becomes problematic when it is persistent, overwhelming, or disconnected from present-day circumstances. For many adults, chronic anxiety is shaped not only by current stressors, but by unresolved trauma, long-standing emotional patterns, and nervous system dysregulation.

At Roseville Psychotherapy, anxiety treatment is approached through a trauma-informed, depth-oriented lens, helping adults understand both the psychological and physiological roots of their symptoms.

Situational Anxiety vs. Chronic Anxiety

Anxiety exists along a spectrum and may present in different ways.

Situational anxiety typically arises in response to specific events such as:

• Public speaking or work evaluations
• Medical procedures
• Relationship stress or conflict

This form of anxiety often resolves once the situation has passed.

Chronic or generalized anxiety, however, may be present most days and feel difficult to control. Individuals often describe excessive worry, constant mental scanning for danger, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, or a persistent sense of unease even when life appears stable.

When anxiety becomes ongoing or interferes with daily functioning, professional assessment and treatment may be warranted.

Common Anxiety Disorders in Adults

The following anxiety disorders are recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) and are commonly treated in adult psychotherapy:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive worry across multiple areas of life for six months or longer, often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by concern about future attacks or behavioral changes intended to avoid them.

Agoraphobia

Fear or avoidance of situations where escape may feel difficult or help may not be available, often associated with panic symptoms.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations.

Specific Phobias

Marked fear of specific objects or situations (such as flying, heights, needles, or vomiting) that leads to avoidance and distress.

Adult Separation Anxiety

Excessive fear or distress related to separation from attachment figures or home, which can persist into adulthood.

Anxiety and Related Conditions

Anxiety frequently overlaps with other mental health concerns, particularly trauma-related conditions, including:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
• Illness Anxiety Disorder (Health Anxiety)
• Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
• Substance- or Medication-Induced Anxiety
• Anxiety Due to a Medical Condition (e.g., thyroid or cardiac conditions)

A thorough clinical evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

Trauma, Anxiety, and the Nervous System

For many adults, anxiety is not simply a cognitive problem but a learned nervous system response. Traumatic experiences—whether acute, chronic, or developmental—can leave the brain and body in a state of heightened alert long after danger has passed. This may result in chronic anxiety, panic symptoms, hypervigilance, or somatic distress.

Trauma-informed therapy focuses on helping the nervous system regain a sense of safety and flexibility, rather than only managing symptoms at the surface level.

Evidence-Based Anxiety Treatment at Roseville Psychotherapy

Treatment for anxiety is individualized and may include:

• Trauma-informed psychotherapy
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), when clinically appropriate
• Psychodynamic and depth-oriented therapy
• Somatic and nervous-system-focused interventions

The therapeutic process is collaborative and paced to support long-term emotional regulation, insight, and resilience.

When to Seek Anxiety Therapy

You may benefit from working with a licensed psychologist if anxiety:

• Interferes with work, relationships, or daily functioning
• Feels chronic, escalating, or difficult to manage
• Includes panic attacks, avoidance, or trauma symptoms
• Persists despite self-help or coping strategies

Seeking professional support early can reduce the risk of symptoms becoming more entrenched over time.

Anxiety Therapy in Roseville and Rocklin, CA

Roseville Psychotherapy provides specialized anxiety and trauma-informed therapy for adults in Roseville, Rocklin, and surrounding communities. Treatment is offered in a confidential, professional setting designed to support meaningful and lasting change.

If you are seeking anxiety therapy, trauma treatment, or EMDR-informed care, you are welcome to reach out for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Complimentary 20-minute initial phone consultation.
Call (916) 225.6311 now!

Roseville, CA Therapist Juanita Harb, PhD
916-225-6311
5800 Lonetree Blvd, 
Suite 102, Rocklin, CA 95765 
www.rosevillepsychotherapy.net