Anxiety Therapy

Therapy plays an important role when anxiety is closely tied to eating disorders and patterns of disordered eating. In these situations, anxiety is not a separate issue running alongside eating concerns; it is often woven directly into how a person thinks about food, their body, and their sense of safety in the world. Effective therapy focuses on understanding this connection and helping individuals develop new ways to relate to anxiety without relying on disordered eating behaviors for relief or control.

When anxiety is linked to eating disorders, it often shows up as constant worry, fear of uncertainty, perfectionism, or an intense need to manage internal discomfort. Food, eating routines, and body-related rules can become ways to reduce that discomfort, even temporarily. Therapy does not begin by taking away coping strategies without support. Instead, it starts by helping individuals understand why these behaviors developed and what purpose they serve emotionally. This understanding is essential for creating change that feels safe and sustainable.

What are the therapies for anxiety?

Anxiety is treated primarily through evidence-based psychotherapies that target fear-based thinking, emotional regulation, and nervous system reactivity. These therapies are often used alone or in combination, depending on symptom severity, underlying drivers, and co-occurring conditions.

In practice, effective anxiety treatment is individualized. Forward-thinking care increasingly integrates cognitive, emotional, and physiological approaches rather than relying on a single modality, recognizing that anxiety is maintained by interacting psychological and biological systems rather than one isolated cause.

At Heal Marin in Greenbrae, California, Arin Bass, MFT, provides psychotherapy for individuals navigating the intersection of anxiety, eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. Her work is grounded in a compassionate, insight-oriented approach that helps clients understand the emotional roots of their struggles while building practical skills for managing anxiety more effectively. Therapy is individualized and collaborative, creating a supportive space for meaningful and lasting change.

To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Arin Bass, MFT, at Heal Marin in Greenbrae, California, contact the practice today. Support is available, and taking the first step can lead to greater emotional balance, flexibility, and peace around eating and self-care.