Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles: Attachment Theory
Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles
After every breakup or social setback, you may find yourself asking, "Why are relationships so hard?" Whether it's feeling disconnected at work, struggling to trust your partner, or constantly replaying conversations in your head, these moments leave you questioning your emotional responses.
You're not alone—and there's a reason for those patterns.
Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles
So many of us move through life unsure how to express our needs or set boundaries. We carry the weight of people-pleasing tendencies, feel guilty when we prioritize ourselves, and worry that if we speak up, we might lose connection altogether.
That’s where anxiety therapy in Los Angeles, grounded in attachment theory, can help.
What Is Attachment Theory?
Attachment theory offers a framework for understanding how early relationships shape the way we relate to others—and to ourselves. The cultural and social systems we grow up in shape how connected we feel—to ourselves and to others. It explains why we might feel anxious in close relationships, fear abandonment, or struggle to trust others, even when we deeply crave connection.
At its core, attachment theory explores:
How your early caregiver relationships influence your adult emotions and behaviors
Why certain triggers—like conflict or silence—evoke strong emotional reactions
How your need for connection can show up as internal stress that’s hard to put into words
How your attachment style (anxious, avoidant, secure, or disorganized) shapes how you relate to romantic partners, friends, family, and coworkers
Understanding your attachment style doesn’t just explain why you feel the way you do—it gives you a path forward. Attachment is fluid; it doesn’t have to remain fixed. Anxiety therapy with a culturally informed approach can make all the difference.
How Do Anxiety and Attachment Issues Intersect?
When anxiety and attachment issues overlap, emotional patterns can become especially difficult to manage. You might notice:
Overthinking or ruminating after conversations
Constantly seeking reassurance from partners or friends
Avoiding conflict, even when something bothers you
Fear of abandonment or rejection
Difficulty expressing needs or setting boundaries
These experiences aren’t personality flaws—they’re survival strategies your nervous system developed over time. They often originate from early relational experiences that taught you how (and whether) it was safe to be vulnerable, assertive, or emotionally open.
How Therapy Can Support Clients Navigating Anxiety and Attachment
Hi, I’m Ligia Orellana, LMFT (she/her/ella), a first-generation Guatemalan-American therapist based in Los Angeles. I offer virtual therapy across California, specializing in helping BIPOC and LGBTQ+ adults who are working through anxiety, attachment wounds, and identity-related stress.
I take a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach, recognizing how systems of oppression, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma shape our emotional experiences. Many of my clients are first-generation individuals who’ve learned to hide parts of themselves to meet cultural or societal expectations.
In our work together, we gently uncover these patterns—not to pathologize them, but to understand and transform them. My goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you return to your most grounded, empowered, and emotionally safe self.
We focus on more than just what’s going wrong—we create tools to move forward with clarity, resilience, and self-compassion.
Many clients find that understanding their emotional patterns is just the beginning. Healing is an ongoing journey—one that deepens as we explore how anxiety, attachment, and identity intersect across different areas of life. If you're curious about where this work can lead or want to keep learning outside of sessions, I invite you to follow along.
What’s Ahead in Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles - A Preview of Future Blog Topics
This blog is the foundation for a series of future posts where I’ll continue to explore anxiety and attachment through a deeper, more expansive lens. My intention is to offer education, reflection, and validation—to show you that what you’re feeling makes sense, and that healing is entirely within reach. In this post, we explored how attachment theory can be integrated into therapy.
In coming posts, we’ll explore:
The brain’s role in anxiety and how it functions as a protector
How attachment shows up uniquely for the BIPOC community
A breakdown of attachment styles in everyday life
What the healing process truly looks like
How pop culture and media reflect attachment themes
If you’ve found yourself caught in cycles of worry, disconnection, or emotional overwhelm, I hope this series helps you feel more seen and more supported. If you’ve been struggling with relationship anxiety, self-doubt, or a fear of being “too much,” know this: healing is possible—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Anxiety Therapy Los Angeles - Ready to Untangle Your Anxiety and Build Stronger Relationships?
You don’t have to keep navigating these struggles alone. Whether you’re curious about your attachment style, tired of overthinking everything, or simply want a safe space to explore who you are, I invite you to connect with me.
Let’s explore your attachment patterns and rediscover emotional safety—together.
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation and take the first step toward healing with culturally attuned, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy.
I wish you good vibes in your healing journey!
Ligia Orellana, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Ligia Orellana BIPOC & LGBTQ Affirming Therapist in Los Angeles, CA Specializing in Anxiety and Toxic Relationships.
