“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” – Charles Spurgeon
Understanding Anxiety and Panic: More Than Just “Worry”
Anxiety is a natural human response to threat, but when it becomes persistent and overwhelming, it can profoundly impact daily life. You might experience constant worry, physical tension, restlessness, or a sense of dread. Panic attacks are intense surges of fear that peak within minutes, often with physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath. You are not alone in this experience. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions globally, affecting an estimated 4% of the world’s population. In England alone, data suggests that over 8 million people experience an anxiety disorder at any given time. These are not signs of weakness, but common and treatable responses that, with the right support, can be effectively managed.
How Therapy Can Help You Navigate Anxiety
Therapy offers more than just coping mechanisms; it provides a safe space to explore the roots of your anxiety and develop a new relationship with it. The goal is to reduce its interference in your life so you can engage with the world from a place of greater choice and calm.
Therapeutic Approaches for Anxiety and Panic
I draw on several evidence-based models, tailoring the approach to your unique experience. Here’s how different therapies can offer a path forward:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety: CBT is one of the most extensively researched therapies for anxiety disorders. It helps you identify and challenge the catastrophic “what if” thought patterns that fuel worry, breaking the cycle of thoughts, sensations, and avoidance behaviours.
- Mindfulness-Based Approaches for Anxiety: Therapies like MBSR and ACT teach you to observe anxious thoughts and physical symptoms with non-judgmental awareness, creating space between trigger and reaction to respond with choice rather than fear.
- Psychodynamic Therapy for Anxiety: This exploratory approach looks to understand the deeper, often unconscious, roots of your anxiety, uncovering unresolved conflicts or early experiences that may shape current fears.
- Positive Psychology for Anxiety: While not a direct treatment for acute panic, Positive Psychology can powerfully complement other approaches by helping you cultivate positive emotions like calm and hope, building psychological resilience.
- Person-Centred Therapy for Anxiety: The core conditions of empathy and unconditional positive regard provide a profoundly safe space. This accepting environment can be healing in itself, fostering self-compassion and reducing the secondary fear of being judged for your anxiety.
Taking the First Step Towards Calm
Living with anxiety can feel isolating, but you don’t have to manage it alone. I offer a free, confidential initial consultation to discuss your experiences, answer your questions, and explore which approach might be the best fit for you.