from self-doubt to self-compassion
Therapy for Anxiety & Shame in Scottsdale, AZ
Find Peace and Confidence
Offering In-Person and Online Virtual Therapy Appointments throughout Arizona
Anxiety and shame can feel like relentless, invisible weights—quiet but crushing—shaping every thought and how you see yourself and the world. You might be caught in a storm of overthinking, self-doubt, and impossible standards that leave you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and never enough. If you’re exhausted from carrying this burden alone, know that relief isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about uncovering the strength and peace already inside you. Therapy can help you unravel the pain, silence the chaos, and slowly rebuild calm, clarity, and self-trust, one step at a time.
Understanding Anxiety and Its Impact in Scottsdale, AZ
Your mind is always "on," jumping from one concern to the next even when there's nothing clearly wrong.
It's hard to feel calm, even when you try to rest or enjoy yourself. You might feel like you're always bracing for something to go wrong.
You replay what you said, worrying about how it came across or getting stuck trying to make the "right" choice.
Whether it's social settings, phone calls, or tasks that feel high-stakes, you might avoid them to prevent discomfort or panic.
You have a nagging sense that you're falling behind, not measuring up, or being silently evaluated by others even when no one has said anything.
You feel inherently flawed, broken, or "too much," often rooted in internalized shame.
You experience deep discomfort with being emotionally open or truly known by others because of fear of rejection, judgment, or failure.
There's a persistent inner voice that says, "I'm not good enough," or "I always mess things up."
Does this sound familiar?
You’re exactly where you need to be if…
Reconnect with your Goals and Values
what if you could
Feel calmer and more grounded in daily life and begin to notice greater ease in your body and mind even in situations that once felt overwhelming.
Quiet your inner critic by shifting from self-judgment to self-understanding, and start treating yourself with more compassion and care.
Worry less about what others think by building confidence in who you are, so you can show up more fully without the constant fear of judgment.
Trust yourself more by making decisions with greater clarity and less second-guessing, even in times of uncertainty.
Reconnect with a sense of worth and wholeness , and begin to believe that you’re enough not because you’re perfect, but because you’re human.
What we’ll work on
Imagine a life where…
01 You build safety and self-awareness
Therapy starts by creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can slow down and begin to notice the patterns of anxiety and self-criticism. Naming what you're feeling without shame is the first step toward healing it.
02 You’ll understand root causes
Together, we’ll explore where these patterns come from — whether it's past experiences, internalized messages, or unprocessed emotions. This insight helps you understand why you feel the way you do, so you can stop blaming yourself and start shifting the cycle.
03 You have New Ways of Relating to Yourself and the World
As therapy progresses, you’ll start practicing new ways of responding to anxious thoughts and self-critical patterns. This might include setting healthy boundaries, calming your nervous system, or treating yourself with more kindness. Over time, these small shifts can lead to big changes — helping you feel more in control, more connected, and more like yourself.
Meet your Scottsdale Therapist
for Anxiety & Shame
Marissa Kuhl, LCSW
Hi, I’m Marissa of Kuhl Mental Health, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly a decade of experience working with adults struggling with chronic shame and anxiety. These experiences can be debilitating, often interfering with daily functioning, self-esteem, and relationships. Living with persistent shame and anxiety can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting, impacting your ability to engage fully in life.
I specialize in evidence-based approaches designed to help clients understand the underlying causes of these feelings and interrupt the harmful patterns that maintain them. Shame and anxiety can create a vicious cycle—fueling negative self-beliefs, increasing emotional distress, and reinforcing avoidance behaviors that limit your quality of life.
In therapy, we’ll work collaboratively to identify triggers, challenge distorted thinking, and develop practical coping strategies to reduce anxiety symptoms and manage shame’s impact on your sense of self. Treatment aims not only to alleviate distress but to rebuild a healthier relationship with yourself—cultivating self-compassion, emotional regulation, and resilience.
While the experience of shame and anxiety can feel all-consuming, with focused therapeutic support, meaningful change is possible. Many clients find that therapy helps them regain control, improve emotional stability, and move toward a more fulfilling and connected life. If you’re ready to address these challenges and invest in your well-being, I am here to support you through this process every step of the way.
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Stress is a normal part of life, but if it’s interfering with your daily well-being or feels overwhelming, therapy can provide support and tools to help you manage and find relief.
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It’s normal to feel a bit unsettled at first as therapy helps you explore tough feelings. This discomfort often means you’re making progress towards healing and growth.
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It is common to be uncertain about the origins of your anxiety or shame. Therapy provides a supportive and confidential environment where we can collaboratively explore these feelings and identify underlying factors over time.
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My fee is $175 for the initial 60-minute intake session and for each subsequent 53-minute therapy session. I do not accept insurance directly, but I can provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance company if your plan includes out-of-network benefits.
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