Understanding Anxiety
It’s the year 2000. “Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers played hourly on the radio, and two wide-eyed, brown-haired girls entered college at UCLA, set on launching their adult lives, getting their degrees, and impacting the world.
Despite their opposing personalities—extrovert and introvert—Brittney and Nicole bonded over their shared love of Weezer, AFI, nature, and literature. They became roommates in a converted, outdated sorority house with shared bathrooms, no A/C, and a single rickety washer and dryer stained with the distinct odor of moldy athletic socks.
We were friends then, and we’re friends now, over two decades later. Today, we’re bonding over both being parents, working moms, community members, and recovering from anxiety.
Brittney has what’s known as health anxiety, the persistent fear of illness, despite medical reassurance. People with health anxiety can experience excessive fear of disease or preoccupation with their health.
I suffer from generalized anxiety, which makes me feel more alert and tense, both physically and mentally. People with generalized anxiety can have a preoccupation with fear and worry that disrupts everyday life.
Both types of anxiety are as un-fun as they sound, but our paths that began at UCLA prepared us to help ourselves and others navigate anxiety.
Dr. Brittney Chesworth went on to become a licensed psychotherapist and health anxiety expert, earning her PhD after we graduated from UCLA together.
I earned my M.A. and became an educator specializing in mindfulness techniques.
We never expected that our two journeys would merge so seamlessly, combining her therapeutic methods with my eastern mindfulness and energetic approach. But we’re grateful that over 20 years ago, the universe brought us together. Our combined expertise in clinical therapy and mindfulness allows us to offer a well-rounded path to managing anxiety, particularly health anxiety.
And, for the first time, we’re bringing our magical blend to you.
We have created an accessible workshop that uses studied, proven methodologies to help you and your loved ones navigate health anxiety.
Understanding Health Anxiety: Education and Solutions
Saturday, October 26
10:30am-12:30pm
Irvine, CA
