Anxiety Therapy in Irvine, CA | CASA Therapy

At CASA Therapy, I know how heavy anxiety can feel, like your mind won’t stop racing, your chest feels tight, and even rest doesn’t bring relief. For first-gen Latinas, professionals of color, and multicultural couples, anxiety often carries extra layers: cultural expectations, invisible emotional labor, and the fear of letting others down. If you’re ready to move beyond constant overthinking, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm, you’ve come to the right place. Together, we’ll create space to slow down, name what’s really happening underneath, and begin building the grounded safety you deserve.

What is anxiety therapy?

Anxiety therapy is a supportive, evidence-based process that helps you understand and manage the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that feel overwhelming. It goes beyond symptom relief; it addresses the cultural, relational, and generational factors that can intensify your anxiety. At CASA Therapy, anxiety therapy isn’t about “fixing” you. It’s about creating a safe, culturally aware space where you can reconnect with your body, regulate your emotions, and learn tools that honor both your history and your future.

Most 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


How do I know if I have anxiety?

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 feel like anxiety is running my life, instead of me?


How do I treat anxiety at CASA Therapy in Irvine, CA?

My approach to anxiety therapy combines emotionally focused work, grief-informed care, 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 and grief-informed 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

How to reduce anxiety fast?

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation – Gently tense and release your shoulders, jaw, or fists. This signals your body that it’s safe to relax.
  • Splash cold water – Washing your face or holding something cool can regulate your nervous system.
  • Repeat a calming phrase – For example: “I am safe. This feeling will pass.”

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.

How long does it take for anxiety therapy to work?

Healing timelines vary. Some clients notice relief within a few sessions as they learn grounding tools, while deeper change, like breaking generational patterns or rebuilding self-trust, can take months. Therapy isn’t about rushing; it’s about creating lasting, sustainable change at a pace that feels safe for you.

What types of anxiety therapy are available?

Different therapies can help depending on your needs. Options may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), exposure therapy, mindfulness practices, and trauma-informed approaches. At CASA Therapy, I honor both your emotional experience and your cultural identity.

Can anxiety go away, or will I have it forever?

Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life forever. While some people may always be more prone to worry, therapy helps reduce symptoms, interrupt patterns, and build resilience. With the right tools and support, you can experience long-lasting relief and live with far less overwhelm, even if anxious thoughts show up from time to time.

Are there other possible situations, psychological issues, or physical health problems that could be causing or worsening my anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety can overlap with depression, trauma, or medical conditions like thyroid issues. 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, not just the surface symptoms.

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.