Welcome, I am Elizabeth McMahon and I help people overcome anxiety as a clinical psychologist. People come to me for many different issues including panic attacks (or panic disorder), fears and phobias (such as fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of public speaking, fear of insects, etc.), social anxiety, etc. I love helping people overcome anxiety because this makes such a positive difference in their lives.
My clients say things like:
“It helped so much. It all makes so much sense.”
“I’m very rational, but I was experiencing something I didn’t understand, and it frightened me. You explained what was going on and gave me the tools I needed. I haven’t experienced fear since. Clearly this works.”
“I feel back to normal – which feels really good.”
“Therapy was powerful and transformative.”
I offer and teach evidence-based treatments--including the use of virtual reality (VR) as part of therapy for anxiety. My approach to anxiety treatment has been refined through more than 40 years of practice, including 32 years at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, a large HMO.
Currently I treat a limited number of patients in my private practice using a combination of teletherapy and VR therapy. I also promote effective anxiety treatments, train and mentor therapists so they can treat anxiety more effectively, and teach psychological first aid to emergency first responders.
This website provides information for multiple audiences. Please read the parts that match your interests:
For information on anxiety treatment options for yourself, your friends, or family members, see the Client Information area starting with Alternatives to Anxiety Therapy, Benefits of VR Therapy and Welcome Clients.
To learn more about anxiety issues and therapy, see the Anxiety Treatments area starting with Anxiety Treatments Overview.
If you are a mental health professional or trainee interested in learning about effective anxiety treatments, see the Therapist Information starting with Welcome Therapists.
See Speaking Events for upcoming talks and courses.
For more information on psychological first aid (PFA), see Introduction to Psychological First Aid. PFA training is available through the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Keep in touch by signing up for my consumer e-mail list (below) or my therapist e-mail list (on the Welcome Therapists page):