Dealing with Anxiety
How therapy can help you regain control over your life
Anxiety is something many of us face. It is part of our normal biological responses and is designed to keep us safe in challenging situations. The problems start when our anxiety levels don’t switch off. Instead, we start to overreact to situations that we should easily handle. This can lead to restlessness, racing thoughts, problems sleeping and a constant sense of impending doom. Often these feelings can appear 'out of nowhere'. Anxiety often feels completely overwhelming.
The good news is that we know a lot about how our brains and bodies work. Anxiety can be managed and, eventually, significantly reduced. Therapy can be a big part of this.
I use two supportive approaches to help clients deal with their anxiety: Person-Centred Counselling and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). This allows space to explore the root of the problem while simultaneously providing tools to deal with anxiety in the here and now.
What is Person-Centred Counselling?
Person-Centred Counselling is based on the belief that you are the expert in your own life. I aim to provide each person with a non-judgmental space to explore their experiences, offering acceptance and empathy rather than providing an interpretation. Your feelings of anxiety are accepted with warmth and respect. I understand that I cannot ‘fix you’ but that I can give you the space to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and why you may be experiencing higher levels of anxiety.
What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)?
While person-centred counselling helps you explore your feelings and experience, SFBT focuses on what’s working right now and how you can build on that. This approach, combined with person-centred counselling, helps you regain control over your life. It encourages you to take practical steps to deal with your anxiety and monitor these steps so you can see the progress.
The combination of these approaches is both practical and empowering. You can start to experience small changes while developing a greater understanding of the underlying feelings that may have increased your anxiety beyond helpful levels.
Combining the Two Approaches
Together, Person-Centred Counselling and SFBT create a balanced and flexible approach to anxiety:
Person-Centred Counselling helps you understand your emotional experience, build self-awareness, and feel truly heard.
Solution-Focused Therapy gives you practical tools to reduce anxiety and move toward your goals, one step at a time.
This combination means therapy can meet you exactly where you are—whether you need space to talk, tools to cope, or both.
You Don’t Have to Face Anxiety Alone
Anxiety can leave you feeling alone and out of control. If you are struggling, therapy can help you feel calmer. It is not something that is fixable overnight, but starts with small steps and supportive conversation.
If you’re ready to take that first step, get in touch. You deserve support that respects your experience and helps you move forward—on your own terms.