Anxiety

A person sitting on a chair with their head in their hands, with tangled scribbles and words representing overwhelmed thoughts and feelings emanating from their head

Take a breath. Let's work through the noise together.

Anxiety is a natural and necessary human response. It is our body’s built-in alarm system designed to keep us safe from danger. However, when that alarm system becomes overly sensitive, it can begin to fire at the wrong times, turning everyday situations into overwhelming hurdles.

If you feel constantly on edge, trapped in cycles of worry, or physically exhausted by stress, you are not alone. Anxiety is highly treatable, and finding the right support can help you regain control and space in your life.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety manifests differently for everyone, often presenting as a mix of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms.

Cognitive & Emotional Signs

  • Persistent Worry: Inability to quiet the mind or stop anticipating the worst-case scenario.

  • Irritability & Restlessness: Feeling constantly "on edge," impatient, or unable to sit still.

  • Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating, focusing on tasks, or feeling like your mind "goes blank."

  • Hypervigilance: Being overly aware of your surroundings and scanning for potential threats or flaws.

Physical Signs

  • Muscle Tension: Chronic tightness, particularly in the shoulders, neck, or jaw.

  • Sleep Disruptions: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed.

  • Physiological Changes: A racing heart, shallow breathing, dizziness, or a tight feeling in the chest.

  • Digestive Discomfort: Chronic stomach aches, nausea, or changes in appetite tied to stress levels.

Types of Anxiety we Treat

Anxiety isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. Our team provides specialized care tailored to the specific way anxiety shows up in your life:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday life events and activities, even when there is little or no reason to worry.

  • Social Anxiety: An intense, persistent fear of being watched, judged, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.

  • Panic Disorder: Sudden, recurring episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations or shortness of breath (panic attacks).

  • Specific Phobias: An irrational and intense fear of a specific object, place, or situation.

  • Performance Anxiety: Overwhelming stress related to professional, academic, or creative performance that hinders your actual capability.

Our Therapeutic Approach to Anxiety

We believe in treating anxiety not by trying to eliminate it entirely—as it is a normal human emotion—but by changing your relationship with it. We utilize evidence-based, collaborative therapies to give you practical tools for long-term resilience.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the gold standard for anxiety treatment. It helps you identify, understand, and reshape the negative thought patterns and behaviors that fuel your anxiety, breaking the cycle of worry.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on helping you accept your thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, allowing you to diffuse their power and commit to actions that align with your personal values.

Mindfulness & Regulation Techniques

We incorporate somatic and grounding practices to help calm the nervous system in real-time. This includes breathwork, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness strategies to bring you back to the present moment.

Therapists in Peninsula Specializing in Anxiety

  • Rita Figueiredo, Peninsula's Psychologist and Director, sitting in a chair facing the photo.

    Rita Figueiredo

    CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

    “Think of us as partners in discovery - using science and heart to understand your story and create lasting change.”

    Portuguese, English,Family Therapy,Individual Therapy,Couples Counseling,Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Motivational Interviewing (MI),Constructivist Therapy,Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Narrative Therapy,Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT),Systemic Therapy,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),Anxiety,Panic Attacks,Depression,Burnout,Chronic Stress,Physical Intimacy Issues, Communication ISsues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Divorce and Separation,Post-Partum Depression,Perinatal Mental Health,Infertility,Phobias,Addictions,Sleep Problems,Perfectionism,Conflict in Relationships,Family Conflict,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Personality Disorders,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress

  • Ailien Sy, Peninsula's psychologist, sitting in a chair facing the photo.

    Ailien Sy

    CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

    “I believe that each person’s story is unique, and therapy should reflect that.”

    English,Filipino,Individual Therapy,Adolescents (13-17),Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Anxiety,Depression,Burnout,Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Divorce and Separation,Childhood Trauma,Low Self-Esteem,Trauma,Grief and Loss,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Conflict in Relationships,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Career Dissatisfaction,Personality Disorders

  • Lauren, Peninsula's Psychologist, sitting in a sofa facing the photo.

    Lauren Rozario

    CDA LICENSED COUNSELLOR

    "Together, we will create a space for you to reclaim your voice, step into your power, and lead with conviction."

    English,Couples Counseling,Adults(18+),In-Person,Online,Systemic Therapy,Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT),Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT),Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS),Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT),Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Divorce and Separation,Grief and Loss,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Post-Partum Depression,Eating Disorders,Substance Abuse,Perinatal Mental Health,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Conflict in Relationships,Parenting Challenges,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress

  • Picture of Shrav Shankar, Peninsula's Psychologist.

    Shrav Shankar

    CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

    “It's important for me to offer you a supportive space, where you can bring anything you'd like to, so that we can figure it out together.”

    English,Individual Therapy,Couples Counseling,Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Psychodynamic Therapy,Neuropsychology,Person-Centered Therapy,Art Therapy,Anxiety,Depression,Chronic Stress,Communication Issues,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Childhood Trauma,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Trauma,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Conflict in Relationships,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress

  • Picture of Rebecca Cobb, Peninsula's Psychologist.

    Rebecca Cobb

    CDA LICENSED COUNSELLOR

    “Together we can rebuild a genuine connection with yourself and rediscover your sense of fulfilment and joy.”

    English,Individual Therapy,Adolescents (13-17),Adults(18+),Anxiety,Panic Attacks,Depression,Burnout,Chronic Stress,Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Pre-Marital Counseling,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Divorce and Separation,Childhood Trauma,Grief and Loss,ADHD/Neurodiversity,School Refusal,Bullying,Behavioral Issues,Post-Partum Depression,Eating Disorders,Addictions,Substance Abuse,Perinatal Mental Health,Infertility,Trauma,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Anger Difficulties,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Perfectionism,Conflict in Relationships,Parenting Challenges,Family Conflict,Body Image Concerns,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Career Dissatisfaction,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress,Personality Disorders,Systemic Therapy,Psychodynamic Therapy,Somatic Experiencing (SE),Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT),Person-Centered Therapy,Schema Therapy,Interpersonal Therapy (IPT),Art Therapy