Anxiety therapy San Francisco

Anxiety therapy in San Francisco for professionals living with numbness and anxiety due to trauma.

dance therapy San Francisco

You've felt numb for a long time. Any stillness overwhelms you with anxiety as it gives your memories an opportunity to creep up again.

So you stay busy, constantly moving, pretending you don’t need therapy for this constant anxiety.

You do your best to avoid being by yourself and sitting with your anxiety and without things to do. But you want to crawl out of your skin. It takes a hard workout to feel ok for a moment. . .but it's temporary. You just want to feel like it isn't a struggle to live your life and that you don’t have to constantly be distracting yourself with work, with outings, with the gym. You wished all the past hurt and trauma you have experienced would just stay in the past and stop smacking you in the face through constant thoughts and dreams. 

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My name is Lisa Manca, an anxiety therapist in San Francisco

I help anxious, intelligent professionals who have experienced pain and tragedy to be at peace in their lives and in their bodies. By using dance therapy and counseling, you don't have to just talk about all the painful memories, you can release them physically from your body. 

Sometimes words are just not enough to help you feel at home in your body again.  If you feel like you are through with only talking and are ready to face the memories that have been haunting you and move towards healing, please contact me here at my San Francisco counseling office to schedule a free 15 minute consultation. 

FAQs for Anxiety Therapist in San Francisco

As a somatic and dance therapist in San Francisco specializing in anxiety, I often receive a lot of questions from clients and those considering therapy. Below are some of the most common questions I hear, along with honest and thoughtful answers to help you feel more comfortable and informed. My goal is to make the process of seeking support as approachable as possible.

  • Somatic and dance therapy focuses on the mind-body connection to help release stored tension and stress. Anxiety often manifests in the body as tightness, discomfort, or restlessness. Through movement, breathwork, and body awareness exercises, we work together to create space for your emotions to be expressed and processed. It’s not just about talking through your feelings, but about physically experiencing and releasing what’s been held in your body.

  • Anxiety often gets trapped in the body, making you feel stuck, restless, or overwhelmed. Somatic therapy uses gentle movement, breathwork, and mindful awareness to reconnect you with your physical self, helping to release tension and reduce symptoms of anxiety. The goal is to develop a deeper awareness of how your body holds stress and find ways to soothe and regulate those sensations.

  • Dance therapy encourages self-expression and fosters a deeper connection between your mind and body. Movement can unlock feelings that are difficult to articulate with words alone. It’s about allowing your body to tell its story, processing emotions in a safe and supportive environment, and reclaiming your sense of freedom and vitality.

  • Sessions vary depending on your needs, but they usually include a combination of talk therapy, gentle movement, guided breathing, and body awareness exercises. Sometimes it looks like grounding practices to settle your nervous system, and other times it might include expressive movement to release stored tension. We always go at your pace, and I guide you through each step with care and compassion.

  • That’s completely natural, especially at first. There’s no pressure to “perform” or dance in any particular way. Movement in therapy is about reconnecting with your body and expressing emotions, not about looking a certain way. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can move as little or as much as feels right for you.

  • Yes, somatic and dance therapy can be very effective in managing severe anxiety and panic attacks. The focus on body awareness and grounding techniques helps you learn to self-regulate when panic or intense anxiety arises. By building a toolkit of calming practices, you can feel more equipped to navigate difficult moments both in and out of sessions.

  • The number of sessions varies based on your goals and the nature of your anxiety. Some people feel relief after just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. We’ll discuss your needs and goals during our initial consultation and develop a plan that feels manageable and supportive.

  • Not at all! You don’t need any dance training or experience. Movement is just one way to connect with your body, and it doesn’t have to be structured or rhythmic. It’s about feeling comfortable with how your body naturally moves and letting that guide the healing process.

  • If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling to feel grounded, or disconnected from your body, somatic and dance therapy might be a great fit. It’s especially helpful if traditional talk therapy hasn’t addressed the physical symptoms of your anxiety or if you’re looking for a more embodied approach to healing.

  • The best way to see if we’re a good fit is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll discuss your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and explore how somatic and dance therapy can support your journey to feeling more grounded and at ease. Click here to schedule your consultation today!