Anna

Anna came to JFS suffering from debilitating anxiety after the sudden death of a beloved cousin. Anna reported frequent anxiety attacks, night terrors, difficulty breathing, pessimistic thinking, and difficulty concentrating. Her symptoms had begun to affect her ability to leave her apartment to go to work, school, or even shopping, and she was also too fearful to drive. She was only able to leave her apartment accompanied by her father or a friend. Anna’s relationships with her siblings had become strained due to her dependence on them whenever she experienced anxiety attacks.

Through individual, weekly therapy sessions with Sonia, her JFS clinical social worker, Anna was gradually able to gain an understanding of her anxiety and its sources and symptoms. She worked on modifying her negative assumptions about herself and began to develop healthier habits and beliefs. She was concurrently treated by Dr. Larosa, a JFS psychiatrist. Through the cognitive behavioral therapy work with Sonia and medication to manage her symptoms prescribed by Dr. Larosa, Anna experienced significant improvements. Over time, Anna became less dependent on family and friends to manage her anxiety. Currently, Anna is working toward termination of therapy. She is no longer fearful of anxiety overtaking her and is determined not to let it stand in the way of her future goals. She has expressed gratitude for the consistent professional services and support that enabled Anna to move forward in her young life.

Snip-It about this Program: JFS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, funded by the LA County Department of Mental Health, provides comprehensive outpatient mental health services to low-income adults. Services are offered through telehealth or in-person in client homes, in community settings, and in our offices. The program is funded by Medi-Cal and other State funds from the Mental Health Services Act. Our clinical social workers, clinicians and psychiatrists speak Russian, Farsi, Spanish, and Korean. JFS maintains a census of about 310 clients in this program.