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Anxiety, attachment, and Trauma Therapist in LA
Anxiety can suck, right? We’ve all been there—your heart races, your stomach drops, and your brain goes into full-on panic mode over something you know logically isn’t a threat. But logic doesn’t always win. Anxiety does. And if you’re here, chances are, anxiety’s running the show a little too much for your liking.
But here’s the thing: Anxiety has a purpose. It’s your brain’s way of trying to keep you safe. The problem is that sometimes, it overdoes it to the point where it’s not just keeping you “safe”—it’s keeping you stuck. But the good news? You’re not powerless against it. This blog dives into 10 actionable steps to take charge of your anxiety—so you can live the life you want.
Take a moment to ask yourself: What is my anxiety really about? Is it about failing? About not being liked? About not being perfect? Knowing the root gives you the power to address the real issue instead of fighting the symptoms (like heart palpitations and racing thoughts).
Pro Tip: Journal it out or talk it through with someone you trust. Sometimes just saying the fear out loud takes away some of its power.
Instead of trying to reason your way out of it, focus on grounding yourself. Deep breathing, mindfulness, and other grounding techniques help shift you out of the panic spiral by calming your nervous system. Once you’ve done that, then you can bring logic back in.
When anxious thoughts pop up, it’s tempting to try to shut them down ASAP. But the reality is that the more you fight them, the louder they get. Instead of trying to block them out, try a gentler approach: acknowledge the thought, then provide it with some evidence.
For example, if your thought is, “I’m going to fail at this,” ask yourself: What evidence do I have for this? What’s the worst that could happen? Often, you’ll realize the thought doesn’t have as much weight as it initially seemed to.
Anxiety loves predictability. It thrives on patterns. So, one of the most powerful things you can do is identify what triggers your anxiety in the first place. Is it social situations? Deadlines? Conflict with loved ones? Knowing your triggers gives you the ability to prepare for them before they happen.
Once you identify your triggers, create a plan. For instance, if you know social situations trigger anxiety, plan to have an “out” if you need it (like excusing yourself to the restroom to breathe and reset). You don’t have to avoid your triggers—you just have to approach them with tools in your toolbox.
For many of my clients, anxiety often stems from perfectionism. It’s that voice in your head saying, “If I don’t do this perfectly, something bad will happen,” or “People won’t like me if I’m not 100% all the time.”
It’s time to give yourself permission to be imperfect. Because, spoiler: No one has their sh*t together 24/7. You’re human, and humans make mistakes. The goal is progress, not perfection. The more you allow yourself to embrace your imperfections, the less power anxiety will have over you.
I get it—when you hear the word “mindfulness,” your first thought might be, “Oh great, another meditation suggestion.” But mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence for hours. It can be as simple as taking five minutes to notice how your body feels, setting a Sunday routine, or paying attention to your breath while you’re washing dishes.
Mindfulness helps you stay present in the moment, which can be huge for reducing anxiety. It teaches your brain to stop spiraling into the past or future and focus on what’s happening right now.
Pro Tip: Start small—try one minute of mindful breathing each day and see how it feels.
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, but let’s be real—it’s not always easy to motivate yourself to hit the gym when you’re feeling anxious. The trick is to stop thinking of movement as a chore and start thinking of it as a way to release pent-up energy.
Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or dancing in your living room, moving your body helps regulate your nervous system and burn off the excess energy that anxiety creates. Plus, you don’t have to do anything intense—just moving around for 10-15 minutes can make a difference.
I know this one might sting a little—especially if you’re running on multiple cups of coffee a day. But caffeine can ramp up anxiety in a big way. It mimics the effects of anxiety (increased heart rate, jitteriness), making it harder to calm down when you’re already feeling on edge.
I’m not saying you have to quit cold turkey (I’m a HUGE lover of coffee and would never!), but try cutting back and see how it impacts your anxiety levels. Even switching to half-caf or limiting caffeine to the morning can make a big difference.
Anxiety has a way of making you feel like you’re all alone in your struggles, but that’s not true. Lean on your support system—whether that’s friends, family, or a therapist. Sometimes just talking things out with someone who gets it can be enough to take the edge off.
And if you don’t feel like you have anyone to lean on, consider reaching out to a therapist who specializes in anxiety. There’s no shame in asking for help, and sometimes that outside perspective can be exactly what you need.
One of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re dealing with anxiety is to celebrate the small wins. Did you get out of bed today, even though you were feeling overwhelmed? Did you go to that social event you were dreading, even if you left early? Those are wins, and they deserve to be recognized.
Anxiety doesn’t disappear overnight, but progress is progress—even if it’s small. Celebrate every step forward, because each one gets you closer to breaking free from anxiety’s grip.
Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. It might always be there in the background, but by recognizing its patterns, gently challenging your thoughts, and embracing imperfection, you can start to take back control. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight—but with the right strategies (and a little patience), you can absolutely take charge of your anxiety.
So, next time anxiety tries to pull you down the rabbit hole, remind yourself: You’re in the driver’s seat. And you’ve got this.
Hey there, I’m Cheryl Groskopf, an anxiety therapist in Los Angeles specializing in IFS therapy, somatic therapy, and holistic healing. I know firsthand how deeply anxiety, trauma, and attachment wounds can run, and I’m all about helping people get unstuck in their healing journeys.
I work with individuals facing CPTSD, unresolved childhood trauma, and those struggling with the emotional weight that anxiety and insecure attachment bring. Together, we’ll dig into the root causes, so you’re not just coping with the triggers—you’re actually healing.
My approach is all about meeting you where you are, without the overwhelm. Whether it’s through somatic therapy to calm the nervous system, trauma therapy to release what’s stuck, or using IFS to get in touch with all parts of yourself, we’ll tailor your healing path so it works for you.
If you’re ready to finally feel more grounded, connected, and free of the past, I’m here for you. Reach out when you’re ready to take that first step toward toward healing in Los Angeles
