Anxiety Therapy

I provide anxiety therapy for adults who feel stuck in cycles of worry, panic, avoidance, or constant self-monitoring and want an evidence-based, practical approach that helps them live more fully, even when anxiety shows up.

I am licensed as a psychologist in California (PSY36022) and Virginia (0810007130) and offer online therapy across both states, with limited in-person sessions in Folsom, California by appointment.

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Am I a good fit for anxiety therapy with Dr. Sheila Vidal?

This service is a good fit if:

  • Anxiety is interfering with your work, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning

  • You feel caught in repetitive worry loops or panic cycles

  • You have insight into your anxiety but still feel stuck changing patterns

  • You want skills that help you respond differently to anxiety rather than trying to eliminate it

This service may not be a good fit if you are looking for a quick fix or purely symptom-suppression strategies.

What kinds of anxiety do I help with?

I work with a wide range of anxiety presentations, including:

Treatment is guided by how anxiety shows up in your daily life rather than by rigid diagnostic labels.

Foggy wooden pathway at sunrise symbolizing anxiety therapy journey toward clarity and healing.

How I approach anxiety therapy in my practice

My approach to anxiety therapy is trauma-informed and ACT-led. The focus is on understanding how anxiety operates in your life and helping you develop skills that increase flexibility, choice, and engagement in what matters to you.

Rather than spending sessions only analyzing why anxiety exists, therapy focuses on:

  • Identifying avoidance patterns and safety behaviors

  • Learning skills to relate differently to anxious thoughts and sensations

  • Reconnecting with values that have been narrowed by anxiety

  • Practicing meaningful action even when anxiety is present

For a detailed explanation of how ACT works for anxiety, you can review the educational guide on ACT therapy for anxiety. This guide explains the ACT skills in depth and how they relate to common anxiety patterns.

Adults participating in a focused therapy session, representing ACT-led anxiety therapy offered online in California and Virginia and in person in Folsom, California.

How to get started

If you are considering anxiety therapy, the next step is to reach out and schedule a consultation or initial appointment.

During this process, we will:

  • Discuss your concerns and goals

  • Determine whether my approach is a good fit for your needs

  • Clarify next steps and scheduling options

What to expect in anxiety therapy sessions

Early sessions focus on understanding your anxiety patterns, history, and goals, and mapping how anxiety currently influences your decisions and behavior.

Ongoing sessions emphasize practicing skills, reviewing real-life experiences, and adjusting strategies based on what is or is not working.

Later sessions focus on strengthening flexibility, maintaining progress, and planning for future stressors without returning to avoidance-based coping.

Sessions are collaborative, structured, and paced to match your needs and readiness.

Online anxiety therapy in California and Virginia, plus in-person sessions in Folsom

I provide:

  • Online anxiety therapy across California

  • Online anxiety therapy across Virginia

  • Limited in-person sessions in Folsom, California, available by appointment

Telehealth sessions are conducted using secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms and are appropriate for many anxiety concerns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • I use an ACT-led, trauma-informed approach. Sessions focus on identifying patterns that keep anxiety going and practicing skills that support flexibility, engagement, and daily functioning.

  • You may be a good fit if anxiety is affecting work, relationships, sleep, or decision-making and you want a practical approach that does not rely on arguing with thoughts.

  • Yes. I provide telehealth therapy for adults located in California and Virginia.

  • I offer limited in-person sessions in Folsom, California by appointment.

  • Many clients begin with weekly or every-other-week sessions, then adjust based on goals, progress, and support needs.

  • I commonly work with chronic worry, panic cycles, avoidance, health anxiety, social anxiety, high-functioning anxiety, and trauma-linked anxiety patterns.

  • My practice is insurance-free. I can provide documentation for potential out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows.

  • That is common. I take a trauma-informed approach that considers how anxiety shows up in the nervous system, relationships, and life patterns, not only as symptoms.

  • You can get started by contacting me through the website. I’ll follow up with next steps and scheduling options.

  • I often suggest small, collaborative exercises to help skills generalize into daily life while keeping them realistic and sustainable.

Have more questions? Visit my frequently asked questions about anxiety therapy.