Separation Anxiety Treatment in Orange County, CA
We have years of expertise with individuals who experience intense anxiety or distress when separated from the people they love. If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of being apart from a partner, family member, or child, or if this fear interferes with your daily life, you’re not alone. We are here to help you form and implement proven processes to lessen any level of separation anxiety you may be experiencing. Our dedicated team provides compassionate, evidence-based care through Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and flexible outpatient therapy programs, all designed to help you feel grounded, secure, and emotionally balanced again.
What Is Separation Anxiety?
It isn’t just a childhood issue, Separation Anxiety affects adults, too. It’s a mental health condition where being away from a loved one causes extreme worry, fear, or distress. While occasional concern about loved ones is normal, Separation Anxiety becomes a problem when it disrupts relationships, work, school, or day-to-day life. It can be rooted in trauma, attachment styles, or even general anxiety disorders, and it’s more common than you might think. Adults with Separation Anxiety may experience persistent fear that something bad will happen to those they’re close to or feel unable to function when apart.
"It felt like I couldn’t breathe when my partner left for work. I knew it was irrational, but I couldn’t stop the panic. Friendly Recovery gave me the tools to calm the chaos and regain trust in myself."
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Adults
Symptoms can be subtle at first but may escalate when separation occurs or is anticipated. Some signs you might be struggling with adult Separation Anxiety include:
Emotional and Mental Health Symptoms
- Excessive worry about a loved one’s safety
- Feeling panicked or helpless when alone
- Fear of being abandoned or left behind
- Trouble focusing due to anxiety about separation
- Nightmares or recurring fears of losing someone
Behavioral and Physical Signs
- Avoiding travel, work, or social activities that involve being apart
- Difficulty sleeping alone
- Physical symptoms like nausea, a racing heart, or headaches
- Repeatedly calling or texting for reassurance
- Becoming overly dependent in relationships
If any of this feels familiar, know that it doesn’t have to stay this way. There is a path forward.
Types of Anxiety We Treat
Separation Anxiety often overlaps with other forms of anxiety and trauma-related disorders, and it’s common for individuals to experience more than one challenge at a time. At Friendly Recovery, we take a holistic approach that looks all of you, not just one diagnosis. Many people with Separation Anxiety also struggle with conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially when there’s a history of loss or early attachment wounds. Social Anxiety Disorder and various attachment issues can also co-occur, contributing to feelings of fear, insecurity, or dependency in relationships. Depression may develop as a result of long-term anxiety or emotional exhaustion. Our treatment plans are designed to address these complexities together, helping you make sense of what you’re feeling and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
- Anxiety Disorders: Constant worry or tension, not limited to separation.
- Panic Disorder: Sudden and intense fear episodes that may occur during separation.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Separation anxiety often stems from early attachment trauma or significant loss.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being judged or rejected when apart from trusted individuals.
- Depression: Chronic sadness and detachment can develop alongside untreated separation anxiety.
"I always thought my fear of being alone was just a quirky part of who I was. I had no idea it was actually Separation Anxiety, or that there was something I could do about it. Anytime my partner left, I’d spiral. Panic, worst-case thinking, total overwhelm. Friendly Recovery helped me unpack where all that was coming from and gave me tools that actually work. For the first time in my life, I can be alone and feel good."
How to Recover from Separation Anxiety
Our treatment approach for Separation Anxiety focuses on restoring emotional independence while building a sense of internal safety. We combine clinically proven therapies with supportive care that meets you where you are.
Therapies We Offer Include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Challenge anxious thought loops and develop calming responses.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Explore early relationship patterns that may be fueling separation fears.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learn to live with uncertainty and create a values-driven life.
- Exposure Therapy: Gradually reduce avoidance and increase confidence in time spent apart.
- Process Group Therapy: Find reassurance and strength through shared experience.
- Medication Management: When appropriate, we help you find medications to reduce anxiety symptoms and promote stability.
Mental Health Programs Designed for You
You don’t need to uproot your life to get help. Our flexible programs are structured around your needs and lifestyle, perfect whether you’re taking the first step to recovery.
Our Levels of Care Include:
- Outpatient Therapy: Weekly sessions with a therapist and psychiatrist to address ongoing symptoms.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Structured therapy several days a week to build tools and consistency.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Comprehensive, daily support for faster stabilization and recovery.
We Also Offer Specialized Support For:
- Women’s Mental Health: A safe, compassionate space to explore anxiety, attachment, self-worth, and relationship challenges that may be unique to your experience.
- Men’s Mental Health: Focused support for men navigating emotional independence.
- Telehealth Options: Access therapy and psychiatric care from the comfort of home.
Wherever you are, we’ll meet you there, with support that fits your life! All programs include individualized treatment plans, goal-setting, and real-world skill-building.
Is Separation Anxiety Holding You Back?
You may benefit from treatment if:
- You feel anxious or panicked when separated from a loved one
- You avoid situations that involve being alone or apart
- You often worry excessively about losing someone
- Your fear of separation impacts your job, relationships, or health
- You’ve been told you’re “too dependent” or “clingy,” but don’t know how to stop
There’s nothing wrong with needing a connection. The goal is learning how to feel safe in your own presence, too.
Why Choose Friendly Recovery?
Friendly Recovery offers compassionate, personalized care that gets to the heart of your anxiety, not just the symptoms. We believe healing comes through connection, insight, and learning to trust yourself.
Our experienced team listens closely, offers tailored strategies, and helps you rebuild self-confidence, so you can live more freely and independently. Whether you’ve been struggling for years or are just beginning to notice patterns of fear and dependency, we’re here without judgment.
Specialized Separation Anxiety Treatment
Separation Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. With the right care, you can break free from fear, rebuild trust in yourself, and create a more balanced, fulfilling future.
Medically Reviewed By: Shahana Ham, LCSW
Shahana Ham, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She specializes in client-centered care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, fostering a supportive environment for healing and growth.
