UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS,
SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS 

At CARE-LA, we specialize in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. While occasional worry is a normal part of life, persistent anxiety can interfere with school, work, relationships, sleep, emotional well-being, and everyday functioning. Our multidisciplinary team understands that anxiety often looks different at every stage of life. Young children may become clingy or avoid school, teenagers may struggle with perfectionism, panic attacks, or social anxiety, and adults often experience chronic worry, stress, or physical symptoms that impact daily life.

 

Because no two individuals experience anxiety the same way, treatment at CARE-LA is always personalized. Our clinicians use comprehensive evaluations and evidence-based therapies to identify each client's unique strengths, challenges, developmental needs, and goals. We work collaboratively with children, adolescents, adults, and families to create individualized treatment plans that promote emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and long-term success. Depending on each person's needs, treatment may include psychotherapy, psychiatry, parent support, executive function coaching, neuropsychological testing, educational consultation, neurofeedback, or integrative mind-body services.

 

Whether you are seeking answers for yourself or your child, our goal is to help individuals better understand their symptoms, develop practical coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and regain confidence in everyday life. Early intervention often leads to better long-term outcomes, allowing children, teens, and adults to thrive both emotionally and academically while improving overall quality of life.

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Explore the links for the pages below to learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment options for the conditions our specialists treat. Each page provides detailed information to help you better understand the disorder and how CARE-LA can help.

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• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• ​Social Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

• Separation Anxiety

• School Refusal and Avoidance

• Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks

• Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• ​Twice Exceptional (2e)

• ​Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Related Trauma Disorders

• Eating Disorders

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

• Tourette's / Tic Disorder

• Emetophobia

• ​Chronic Pain​

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When Should You Consider Therapy?

Many parents wonder whether their child's worries or behaviors are part of normal development or signs that professional support may be helpful. While occasional anxiety is expected, it may be time to seek an evaluation if anxiety or emotional challenges begin interfering with daily life.

 

Consider reaching out if your child or teen:

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• Frequently avoids school, sports, or social activities

• Experiences excessive worry that feels difficult to control

• Has panic attacks or intense fears

• Seeks constant reassurance

• Has difficulty separating from caregivers

• Struggles with emotional outbursts or irritability

• Experiences headaches, stomachaches, or other physical symptoms related to stress

• Has difficulty sleeping because of worries

• Shows a noticeable decline in academic performance

• Appears overwhelmed by everyday situations

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Early intervention can significantly improve emotional well-being, strengthen coping skills, and reduce the likelihood that symptoms become more severe over time.

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Why Families Throughout West Los Angeles Choose CARE-LA

Families choose CARE-LA because we specialize in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders across the lifespan. Our collaborative team includes more than 25 experienced clinicians with diverse specialties, allowing us to match each client with the therapist best suited to their needs. We also offer access to an in-house child psychiatrist, comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological testing, executive function coaching, parent support, educational consultation, and integrative mind-body services. By bringing multiple specialties together under one roof, we provide coordinated, individualized care that supports lasting emotional wellness for children, adolescents, adults, and families.

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FAQs: Anxiety & Anxiety-Related Disorders in Children, Adolescents & Adults at CARE-LA

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What disorders does CARE-LA specialize in treating?

CARE-LA specializes in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. Our clinicians commonly treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, separation anxiety, school refusal, panic disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), PTSD and trauma-related disorders, eating disorders, Tourette syndrome and tic disorders, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), emetophobia, chronic pain, and twice-exceptional (2e) learners. We also provide comprehensive assessments to clarify diagnoses and guide individualized treatment planning.

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How do I know if my child needs therapy for anxiety?

If anxiety is interfering with your child's ability to attend school, participate in activities, make friends, sleep well, or enjoy daily life, it may be time to seek professional support. Children often express anxiety differently than adults, sometimes through irritability, avoidance, physical complaints, perfectionism, or emotional outbursts rather than simply talking about their worries.

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Can anxiety look different depending on a child's age?

Yes. Young children may become clingy, fearful, or have frequent stomachaches. School-age children may avoid school, seek excessive reassurance, or struggle with friendships. Teenagers often experience social anxiety, perfectionism, panic symptoms, or increasing avoidance of activities. Adults may experience chronic worry, burnout, difficulty concentrating, or persistent physical symptoms related to stress.

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Does CARE-LA treat adults as well as children?

Yes. CARE-LA provides specialized mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults. Although we are known for our expertise in child and adolescent anxiety, many of our clinicians also work with adults experiencing anxiety disorders, OCD, trauma, ADHD, stress-related concerns, and other emotional challenges.

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Can someone have more than one diagnosis?

Absolutely. It is common for anxiety to occur alongside ADHD, OCD, depression, trauma, learning differences, autism spectrum disorder, or tic disorders. Our comprehensive evaluations help identify all contributing factors so treatment addresses the whole person rather than focusing on a single diagnosis.

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Will my child automatically need medication?

Not necessarily. Many children benefit from evidence-based psychotherapy alone, while others may benefit from combining therapy with psychiatric consultation and medication management. CARE-LA carefully evaluates each individual's needs and collaborates with families to determine the most appropriate treatment recommendations.

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Do parents participate in treatment?

Yes. Parent involvement is an important part of treatment for many children and adolescents. Our clinicians provide education, coaching, and practical strategies that help parents reinforce therapeutic progress at home while strengthening family communication and emotional resilience.

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What makes CARE-LA different from other therapy practices?

CARE-LA offers a multidisciplinary approach that brings together psychotherapy, psychiatry, psychological testing, executive function coaching, educational consultation, neurofeedback, parent support, and integrative mind-body services in one practice. Our collaborative model allows families to receive coordinated, individualized care tailored to each person's unique needs.

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Does CARE-LA accept insurance?

CARE-LA is an out-of-network provider. We provide detailed super bills (medical invoices) that clients can submit to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on their individual plan.

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How do I get started?

The first step is to contact CARE-LA to schedule an initial consultation. We will learn about your concerns, answer your questions, and help match you or your child with the clinician whose expertise best fits your needs. From there, we develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help your family achieve lasting emotional health and well-being.