Finding Peace Within: How Focusing-Oriented Therapy Helps with Anxiety
Psychologist in Sonoma County, Petaluma
As a psychologist specializing in anxiety, I’ve worked with many clients who feel overwhelmed, restless, and constantly caught in a whirlwind of racing thoughts. Anxiety can be relentless, and traditional approaches don’t always get to the root of the experience. That’s where Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT) has made a profound difference. FOT offers a unique path—not through analyzing thoughts, but by listening to the body’s quiet, intuitive voice. In my experience, this method often brings surprising clarity and relief in a way that feels deeply personal and lasting.
One of the most powerful aspects of FOT is how it slows things down. Anxiety thrives on speed, spiraling thoughts, and the desperate urge to “figure things out.” Focusing invites us to pause and gently turn our attention inward, not to our thoughts, but to the felt sense—the vague, nonverbal awareness in the body that carries meaning. By sitting with these sensations in a curious, non-judgmental way, my clients often discover what's beneath the surface of their anxiety. It’s not just about calming down; it’s about truly understanding what their anxiety is trying to say.
Over time, this practice builds a kind of inner resilience. Clients learn that they can be with difficult feelings without being consumed by them. They start to experience their emotions as messengers, not threats. I’ve watched clients shift from being at the mercy of their anxiety to having a compassionate relationship with it. FOT doesn’t teach people to suppress or control their anxiety—it helps them navigate it with trust and self-awareness. That’s incredibly empowering and, often, life-changing.
What sets FOT apart is its emphasis on self-guidance. While I serve as a supportive presence, the real wisdom comes from within the client. In moments of deep focusing, people often uncover insights they didn’t know they had—new understandings about what’s really bothering them, or what they truly need. This felt clarity leads to natural next steps, not ones imposed from the outside, but ones that arise from the body’s own knowing. It’s a deeply respectful, authentic way to heal.
If anxiety has been taking over your life, I encourage you to try something different. Focusing-Oriented Therapy can help you move beyond coping and into connection—with your feelings, your needs, and your deeper self. Contact Me if you would like to learn more about how Focusing Oriented Therapy can help you with your aniety. You don’t have to keep spinning in anxiety. There is a way to ground yourself, listen within, and find peace—and it starts with a single, inward breath. Don’t wait. Begin your journey back to yourself today.