Anxiety
Anxiety is often described as a symptom. In my work I see it more often as a signal. A way the body and mind remember what has not yet been safe to feel.
I work with anxiety as part of an integrative, relational therapy. I do not use CBT, medication, or structured programmes. If your anxiety has roots in controlling relationships, workplace harm, or past trauma, therapy may help you find language for what you are carrying and a pace at which it is safe to look at it.
How anxiety shows up
Anxiety rarely announces itself cleanly. It can look like insomnia, irritability, a short fuse, dread on Sunday evenings, difficulty concentrating, a pull to overwork, a pattern of staying small in meetings, a chest that will not settle.
For many of the people I work with, anxiety is a protective adaptation. It developed because something about a past or present environment was not safe. Sometimes the environment has changed and the anxiety has not. Sometimes the environment has not changed at all.
My approach
My way of working is integrative. I draw from person centred, psychodynamic, transactional analysis, and attachment based approaches. The therapeutic relationship is central. We move at your pace, with your words, and with your history in view.
This is not a how-to, tip-based therapy. It is slower, quieter, and more relational than that. For some people this is exactly what has been missing. For others, a more structured approach may be a better fit, and I am happy to say so if that is the case.
Crisis and Emergency Support
If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services by calling 999.
- Samaritans: 116 123
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Crisis and Emergency Guidance
Frequently asked questions
Is anxiety always rooted in trauma?
No. Anxiety has many causes, including genetic predisposition, current life pressures, physical health, and sleep. What I can offer is a space to look at what your anxiety is doing, when it started, and what it may be protecting.
Will you teach me techniques to manage anxiety?
Not in a structured way. I am not a CBT therapist and I do not set homework or tasks. What often emerges in the work is a clearer sense of what your anxiety is responding to. Many clients find that understanding creates change on its own.
How long will therapy take?
That varies. Some clients work with me for a few months on a specific theme. Others work longer term on more complex histories. We review the work together at natural points.
Can I start with a single session?
I offer a free 15 minute introductory call so we can see if we are the right fit. If we proceed, I usually suggest an initial 90 minute assessment, then weekly sessions. I do not offer one-off therapy sessions.
Thinking about therapy for anxiety?
If this approach resonates, a free 15 minute introductory call is the best way to start.