Contact Us

We offer both in person services based in Mission Valley as well as telehealth services via video-conferencing platforms to patients located in California.

We do not accept walk-ins. You must contact our Clinic Coordinator at 858-354-4077 or info@csamsandiego.com before visiting us on site.

CONTACT US

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT TREATMENT AT CSAM, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM AND A THERAPIST WILL CONTACT YOU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

You may also contact us via phone or email:

Phone: 858-354-4077

Email: info@csamsandiego.com

7860 Mission Center Ct, Suite 209
San Diego, CA, 92108

858.354.4077

At The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, our psychologists have years of experience. Unlike many other providers, our clinicians truly specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and related problems. Our mission is to apply only the most effective short-term psychological treatments supported by extensive scientific research. We are located in Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, and Mission Valley.

Holiday Stress

Blog

Read our award-winning blogs for useful information and tips about anxiety, stress, and related disorders.

 

Holiday Stress

Jill Stoddard

When you think about the holidays coming up, do you feel a sense of warmth and excitement?  Dread and impending doom?  Perhaps all of the above.  The holidays are a mixed bag for many people, which may include long lines at the airport, kids’ inconsistent sleep schedules, old arguments resurfacing with family, or feeling lonely at the holiday work party.  It’s no wonder unhealthy habits often rear their ugly heads during the holiday season.

Normal
0




false
false
false

EN-US
JA
X-NONE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">…

Image location: http://www.infigic.com/how-to-set-up-your-ebay-store-on-holiday-mode/

What can we do to stay healthy during this time?  

1.    Remember What’s Important to You

Dr. Michelle Lopez, licensed psychologist at CSAM

Dr. Michelle Lopez, licensed psychologist at CSAM

Take some time, even a few minutes, to reflect on what you want most out of this year’s holiday season.  Is it quality time with your immediate family and maintaining financial health?  Taking time to re-connect with your spouse and sustaining your physical health?  When the holiday season ends, what type of experience would you be most proud of creating for yourself?  From here, you can make steps toward things you want to keep and things you may need to change or let go.  “Things do not have to be perfect.  By letting go of the need for things to go a certain way, we are better able to stay in touch with what the holiday season is really about,” says Dr. Michelle Lopez, a psychologist at CSAM who specializes in treating anxiety and mood disorders.

2.   Communicate Your Expectations

Once you know what you would like for yourself, start communicating your expectations early.  If you have a significant other and/or children, consider discussing each person’s expectations so that you can discuss what is realistic and desirable for your family.

Even if others don’t want exactly what you want, it will be easier to negotiate and compromise so that each person gets at least some of their needs met.  This might also help to determine how much time you need for yourself or when you need time together. 

3.    Plan for Self-Care

Normal
0




false
false
false

EN-US
JA
X-NONE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">…

Image location: http://blogs.constantcontact.com/design-rules-holiday-emails/

People have their helpful and less helpful ways of coping with the stress of the holidays.  Dr. Lopez suggests taking a proactive approach: “Rather than responding when unhealthy behaviors show up, take action early by developing a prevention plan!  Identify other people in your life who also want to work on resisting unhealthy habits such as overeating, overspending, or even isolating during the holidays.  Connect with those individuals and share your goals with each other.”

This might mean planning a day before traveling to prepare and a day after to recover.  Or perhaps packing your athletic shoes to go for a walk after a family meal.  By including others in your plans, you are more likely to engage in those behaviors.

 The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management is here to help!   Click here to speak with Dr. Lopez or another professional at the Center for Stress and Anxiety Management.