Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles: What is your Anxiety Cycle?
You wake up feeling a bit of energy, a spark of motivation that whispers, "Today is the day." You think, "This is the moment I make a change. I can step out of my comfort zone, try something new, face the scary but doable stuff." You start to feel a little hopeful. Maybe this is the time to face your anxiety and take that first step.
But then, slowly, anxiety creeps in. It’s that familiar, overwhelming feeling that makes everything seem harder, far away, and unattainable. The initial excitement fades. Suddenly, it’s back to your comfort zone—safe, predictable, and familiar. "This is better," you tell yourself, "I can stay in my lane." But deep down, that comfort zone has been holding you back from so many things you actually want to do.
The question becomes: why does anxiety always get in the way of change? Why does it feel like every time you try to move forward, you're dragged back into that cycle of overwhelm and avoidance? You’re not alone in this struggle. I work with so many individuals—especially from BIPOC and Queer communities—who are stuck in this very cycle. As a therapist specializing in anxiety, I understand the roots of these struggles and how they often connect to deeper, intergenerational issues and cultural expectations.
The Anxiety Cycle: What Is It and Why Does It Keep Happening?
Anxiety, at its core, is a protective mechanism. It’s the brain’s way of alerting you to potential danger or a threat. But for many of us, anxiety doesn’t just show up in response to actual threats. It lingers in the background, quietly influencing our thoughts, behaviors, and even our relationships. The anxiety cycle starts small but can grow into a significant barrier to living fully and authentically.
For many people in the BIPOC and Queer communities, anxiety doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s often compounded by cultural, familial, and societal pressures. These pressures dictate what is considered "acceptable" behavior, what emotions are considered "appropriate," and what success looks like. Growing up in environments where emotional expression was either invalidated or ignored can make it difficult to sit with discomfort. As a result, we develop patterns of avoidance. When faced with uncomfortable feelings—like anxiety—we retreat. We avoid confronting the feelings directly, distracting ourselves with busy work, entertainment, or other forms of escapism.
These coping mechanisms become habitual, and over time, we may not even recognize that avoidance is contributing to the anxiety cycle. We’re stuck in a loop: anxiety triggers avoidance, avoidance prevents us from addressing the root cause of our anxiety, and the cycle continues.
In my anxiety therapy Los Angeles practice, I’ve worked with numerous clients who are deeply affected by this cycle, especially those who come from first-generation BIPOC backgrounds or identify as Queer. These clients often find themselves battling not only their personal struggles with anxiety but also the cultural expectations and emotional baggage that have been passed down through generations. Many of them were raised in households where emotions were swept under the rug—there was no room for emotional vulnerability. Emotions were considered a weakness, and often, there was little to no guidance on how to process feelings.
Emotional Detachment in BIPOC Communities
In many BIPOC families, emotional detachment is not just a personal struggle—it’s a cultural pattern. For example, in my own experience as a first-generation Guatemalan-American, I was raised in a home where emotional expression was often suppressed. My parents were taught to "push through" tough emotions and focus on practical matters like work, school, and family responsibilities. This mindset was passed down to me and, to some extent, to many others in the BIPOC community.
For many, emotional detachment becomes a survival mechanism. It was a way of coping with trauma, poverty, or other external pressures. But this survival tactic doesn't serve us in the long run. Instead of processing feelings like anxiety, grief, or fear, we learn to push them away, ignore them, or distract ourselves. While this may provide temporary relief, it ultimately keeps us disconnected from our true feelings and increases the likelihood of developing unhealthy coping mechanisms—like avoidance.
Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles -
Healing The Anxiety Cycle
One of the most important aspects of healing from anxiety is emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy involves the ability to connect with your own feelings and express them openly and authentically. When we avoid our feelings, we miss the opportunity to form a deeper connection with ourselves and others. Without emotional intimacy, we are left with unresolved emotions that continue to fuel the anxiety cycle.
In my anxiety therapy practice in Los Angeles, emotional intimacy is something I emphasize. For those who have struggled with emotional detachment—especially within the BIPOC or Queer communities—this can feel like uncharted territory. But it’s essential to healing. Emotional intimacy is not just about connecting with others; it’s about first being able to connect with yourself. It’s about learning how to sit with uncomfortable feelings without running away from them.
If you’re tired of being stuck in the anxiety cycle, therapy can provide the tools and support you need to break free from the cycle and increase your awareness. In my practice, I work specifically with first-generation BIPOC and Queer folx who are struggling with anxiety, emotional detachment, and cultural pressures. I use a journaling practice that I encourage clients to engage in as a first step. Through practicing mindfulness and self-compassion, you can reflect on your emotions and explore where they’re coming from. Taking small steps toward connecting with yourself and your feelings.
Practice Journal Prompts:
Where is the feeling of anxiety coming from?
What is it trying to tell you?
How is it trying to protect you?
Why is it protecting you?
These prompts help you understand the origin of your anxiety and the role it plays in your life. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety altogether but to learn how to coexist with it and build healthier coping strategies. Therapy is not about quick fixes—it’s about understanding the root causes of your anxiety and learning how to navigate those feelings in a way that allows for growth and healing. Through our work together, you will learn how to sit with discomfort, embrace emotional intimacy, and step into your authentic self.
Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles - Getting Help
In my Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles practice, I specialize in working with first-generation BIPOC and Queer folx who are struggling with anxiety and the emotional detachment that often accompanies it. Together, we explore the root causes of anxiety, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and work on improving emotional intimacy with ourselves and others.
Through therapy, you will begin to understand why sitting with your emotions doesn't happen automatically and how to nurture a connection with them. This awareness is the first step toward breaking the anxiety cycle.
If you’re ready to take the next step in understanding your anxiety and breaking free from the cycle, I’d love to help. Call me at (323) 493-6644 for a free consultation today or book a session with me here.
I wish you good vibes in your healing journey!
Ligia Orellana, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Ligia Orellana LMFT 122659 Anxiety Therapist Los Angeles, California
