Online therapy for anxiety, overthinking & perfectionism in Hermosa Beach + throughout California.

From overthinking to action.

Hi, I’m Tori!

You've spent a lot of time figuring things out. Maybe it's time to feel something different.

You're thoughtful, self-aware, and used to figuring things out on your own. You might understand why you overthink, where your anxiety comes from, and what patterns you want to change. But knowing all of that doesn't necessarily make it easier to feel calm, set boundaries, or get out of your head.

Therapy is a place for you to slow down, get curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin experiencing a different way of relating to yourself and your life.

I see you. I’m here to help you:

  • Understand the roots of the patterns you find yourself repeating, especially the ones that once helped you survive

  • Use curiosity and self-compassion to gently shift those patterns and create new, more supportive ones

  • Practice nervous system regulation tools that can ground you during moments of unease, uncertainty, or overwhelm

  • Build your tolerance for discomfort so you can move through hard conversations and advocate for your needs with clarity

  • Reconnect with your body so your thoughts, emotions, and actions can move in greater alignment

  • Move beyond understanding your patterns intellectually and begin experiencing meaningful change emotionally and physically

Tori Smith licensed clinical social worker smiling while sitting on a white sofa in a bright room, surrounded by potted houseplants. Somatic therapy in Hermosa Beach for anxiety and overthinking.

A little bit about me

Outside of my work as a therapist, you'll usually find me fostering dogs (I've had 12 so far!), volunteering with my local dog rescue, taking road trips up and down the coast in my Volkswagen Westfalia with my dog Hank, practicing yoga, or working on a ceramics project

Somatic Therapy for Anxiety

You can’t always think your way out of what you’re feeling

Maybe you've spent years trying to understand your anxiety. You know where your perfectionism comes from, recognize when you're overthinking, and can probably explain why certain situations trigger you. You've listened to the podcasts, done traditional talk therapy, developed the self-awareness, and tried the coping strategies. Yet somehow, you still find yourself overthinking, feeling overwhelmed, or reacting in ways you wish you could change.

That's because understanding something intellectually and experiencing a meaningful emotional shift aren't always the same thing.

Our experiences don't just shape the way we think. They influence how we feel, how we respond to stress, and how our bodies react to the world around us. Sometimes, even when our minds know we're safe, our bodies continue responding as though something is wrong.

In my work, I integrate somatic therapy, mindfulness, and deeper parts work to help you explore what's happening beneath the surface. Rather than focusing exclusively on changing your thoughts or managing symptoms, we'll pay attention to the connection between your mind, body, emotions, and experiences.

Together, we'll get curious about the patterns that keep you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck, including the ones that may have once helped you feel safe, in control, or accepted.

Our work might include:

  • Understanding your nervous system: Recognizing how stress, past experiences, and protective responses influence how you experience everyday life.

  • Moving beyond overthinking: Shifting from analyzing your feelings to actually connecting with what you're experiencing.

  • Exploring protective patterns: Understanding the parts of you behind perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-criticism, and the need for control.

  • Building emotional capacity: Learning to navigate uncomfortable feelings and uncertainty without immediately going into overdrive.

  • Reconnecting with your body: Using grounding, mindfulness, and somatic techniques to become more aware of physical experiences of stress and anxiety.

My approach isn't about forcing yourself to relax, getting rid of every uncomfortable emotion, or becoming a different person. It's about understanding yourself on a deeper level, developing a different relationship with your emotions, and creating more flexibility in how you respond to life.

Because the goal isn't just to know why you feel the way you do. It's to actually begin feeling differently.

A woman with long hair sitting on a beige couch, smiling at her open MacBook laptop, with a blue throw pillow behind her and a black table lamp on a side table next to her in a living room. Somatic therapy in Hermosa Beach for anxiety.

My Values

Compassion

There is no topic that is off the table or “too much” for therapy. The parts of you that you feel embarrassed by or ashamed of will be treated with kindness, compassion, and respect. Your body and mind are always trying to work for you, not against you.

Collaboration

The relationship you have with your therapist is proven to be the most important factor in the outcome of therapy. I take this relationship very seriously, and while I may help guide the way, you are the expert of you life.

Integrity

My professional morals and ethics are the core of my practice. Your confidentiality, privacy, safety, and trust are always held in the highest regard. I’m committed to creating a space where your full identity is honored, protected, and respected.

Curiosity

I believe curiosity is the antidote to shame, anxiety, and despair. Curiosity gives us a neutral window to look at our experiences through and helps to build a new relationship with ourselves.

Therapy with me may be right for you if…

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You want therapy that understands the nervous system, anxiety, and burnout without pathologizing your drive, ambition, or intelligence.

You struggle to slow down, rest, or step away from responsibility without guilt, even when you’re exhausted or burned out.

You’ve built your life around excellence and achievement, yet perfectionism and overthinking are starting to cost you sleep, peace of mind, or relationships.

You overfunction in work and relationships- anticipating needs, solving problems, and holding everything together, while quietly feeling depleted.

You’re known for being reliable, self-sufficient, and competent, but rarely feel supported or emotionally taken care of yourself.

Person reading a book at a white table with ceramic vases and a jar on it.

How I Can Help

Education

  • University Of California, Santa Barbara.

    Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Applied Psychology

  • University of Southern California.

    Master of Social Work Degree with a Concentration in Adults, Mental Health, and Wellness

Trainings

  • Modern Treatment of Panic Disorder: Strategically Integrating ACT, CBT, & Exposure Therapy

  • Master Series - Transform Freeze, Fawn, and Appeasement into Nervous System Safety

  • Healing Through Somatic Attachment Therapy

  • EMDR Parts I and II

  • Brainspotting I and II

My therapy work is informed by the principles of both EMDR and Brainspotting. Both of these modalities are somatic practices rooted in a bottom-up nervous system regulating approach to healing.

California Licensure

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker 104872

Testimonials

Ready to get started?

I’m here to walk you through the process. It’s easier than you think! We’ll schedule a 20 minute phone call to make sure we’re a good fit, you’ll fill out your intake forms, and we’ll start meeting weekly!

Prefer a different format? I also offer intensives, which are longer, focused sessions over a few days. They are offered in both virtual and in-person formats. Learn more about intensives here.