Anxiety Therapy in Irvine, CA & Nearby Areas | CASA Therapy

I understand just how heavy anxiety feels because I live with it too and I’ve learned how to manage it in my own life. Anxiety can show up in constant overthinking, racing thoughts, or hypervigilance. Physically we might experience it as headaches, difficulty sleeping, or tension. Emotionally it can lead to irritability, self-doubt, fear of failure, or overwehelm. For people of color, anxiety may carry extra layers of cultural expectations such as pressure to achieve, pressure to code-switch or adapt constantly, caretaking roles, and the weight of feeling responsible for everyone else. This invisible labor is not just something that we can “shut off.”


If you’re ready to move beyond constant overthinking, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, you’ve come to the right place. At CASA Therapy we will understand how anxiety impacts you, reconnect with your body and emotions, and begin building the grounded safety you deserve.

Taming the racing mind: what anxiety therapy looks like

Talk therapy specific for anxiety can help you understand what’s happening in your mind and your body. Together we will explore the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that feel overwhelming. We can also look at cultural, relational, and generational factors that may be intensifying your anxiety. Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you. It’s about building awareness, reconnecting with your body, and learning tools that help you regulate your nervous system. 

Common symptoms of anxiety

  • Constant overthinking or racing thoughts
  • Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
  • Physical tension (tight chest, rapid heartbeat, restlessness)
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger worry
  • Feeling like you’re “on edge” or easily overwhelmed
  • Guilt or shame about not being able to “just relax”
  • Cultural pressure to stay strong and silent, even when struggling


Is this anxiety? how to tell what’s going on

Ask yourself:


  • Do I constantly anticipate the worst-case scenario?
  • Do I avoid people, places, or responsibilities because they feel too overwhelming?
  • Do I feel exhausted from carrying both cultural/family expectations and my own fears?
  • Do I struggle to quiet my mind at night, even when I’m exhausted?
  • Do I struggle making decisions or make decisions based on fear?


How do I treat anxiety at CASA therapy?

My approach to anxiety therapy combines evidenced based modalities and cultural attunement. Together we will:


  • Explore the root causes of your anxiety, not just the surface symptoms
  • Use grounding tools (breathing, mindfulness, body-based techniques) to calm your nervous system
  • Challenge self-critical thought patterns and replace them with grounded clarity
  • Create boundaries that reduce overwhelm without guilt
  • Honor the unique pressures of being first-gen or navigating multiple cultures
  • Reconnect you with a felt sense of safety, so anxiety doesn’t define your days


What topics can we talk about in therapy for anxiety?

  • Coping with racing thoughts and overwhelming emotions
  • Releasing cultural guilt and learning to rest without shame
  • Managing panic or social anxiety in everyday situations
  • Breaking cycles of perfectionism and self-criticism
  • Building emotional safety in relationships
  • Learning to self-soothe and regulate your nervous system


Steps to work with me

Hi, I'm Dama

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Grief Educator, and founder of CASA Therapy.


I'm trained in Emotion Focused Therapy for both couples and individuals. I firmly believe that love can be healing when both people are willing to do the work.

Step 1

A thorough intake session where we explore your relationship history, cultural backgrounds, and current struggles so we can understand the deeper patterns behind the disconnection.

Step 2

Emotionally focused sessions to help you with clarity, begin repairing trust, and rebuild emotional safety.

Step 3

Ongoing, guided sessions with personalized homework, where we break unhelpful cycles, strengthen connection, and practice healthier ways of relating so your relationship feels more like a true partnership.

I’m Dama Perez, founder of CASA Therapy. I specialize in helping first-gen Latinas, professionals of color, and multicultural couples break free from cycles of anxiety, over-responsibility, and self-doubt. With a culturally rooted approach, I create a space where you don’t have to shrink to feel safe. Whether you’re navigating panic, constant worry, or the invisible weight of cultural expectations, I’m here to walk alongside you with clarity, compassion, and care.

Tips & resources for coping with anxiety

  • Practice grounding exercises like deep breathing or guided meditation to calm your body
  • Limit caffeine and social media intake, which can heighten anxious feelings
  • Keep a simple daily routine to reduce decision fatigue
  • Journal to externalize racing thoughts and create clarity
  • Talk with trusted friends or community members instead of carrying it all silently


Payment plans

$200 per 50-minute session, Couples 


Each session includes:


  • One 50-minute in person or virtual therapy session
  • Occasional reflection prompts or homework assignments based on your goals as a way to deepen connection and continue the work between sessions when helpful.


You deserve support that feels steady and intentional.

FAQ

What are some tools for instant anxiety relief?

While long-term healing requires deeper work, there are simple techniques you can use in the moment to calm anxiety quickly:


  1. Ground your body – Place both feet on the floor, notice the ground supporting you, and take 3 slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
  2. Engage your senses – Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste. This brings your mind back to the present.
  3. Splash cold water – Washing your face or holding something cool can regulate your nervous system.

These techniques don’t erase anxiety permanently, but they help you create enough space to regain control in the moment. For lasting change, therapy can help uncover the root causes, build emotional safety, and reduce anxiety at its source.

When will I start feeling better?

Therapy is a process not a quick fix. Some clients notice relief within a few sessions, while others take longer to build skills and nervous system regulation. Timeline depends on factors like how long anxiety has been present, life stressors, trauma history, daily routines, and commitment to practicing tools outside of sessions.

Can anxiety ever go away?

Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. Some of us may be more prone to worry, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck feeling overwhelmed forever. Therapy can help you understand that’s happening, break old patterns, and build tools to feel more grounded. With the right type of support, you can experience long term relief even if anxious thoughts pop up once in a while.

Could something else be causing anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety can overlap with depression, trauma, or medical conditions. Stress from work, relationships, or family expectations can also intensify it. That’s why it’s important to work with a therapist who looks at the full picture and to collaborate with a medical doctor when needed. Together therapy and medical care support both your mind and body, helping you address anxiety in a holistic way.

Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act)



This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of services that are reasonably expected for the expected services to address your mental health care needs. The estimate is based on the information known to us when we did the estimate. 


The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill. 


If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.

You may contact the contact listed above if billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can request an update to the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available. 


You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill. 


There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount. 


To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to: 

www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.


For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059 .


This Good Faith Estimate is not a contract. It does not obligate you to accept the services listed above.