Therapy for Anxiety
Counselling & Psychotherapy in London: Oxford Circus, Shoreditch and Wimbledon
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to therapy, and it is something I work with regularly across my London practices. Whether you are dealing with a general sense of unease that never quite lifts, panic attacks that seem to strike without warning, or a persistent worry that interferes with your ability to enjoy daily life, therapy can help you understand what is driving these feelings and develop new ways of managing them.
If anxiety has become a constant companion, you may have noticed it affecting your sleep, your concentration, your relationships or your confidence. You might find yourself avoiding situations, overthinking decisions, or feeling physically tense much of the time. These are all signs that your mind and body are responding to something that feels threatening, even when the threat is not immediately obvious.
Understanding Anxiety from a Relational Perspective
As an integrative therapist with a relational outlook, I view anxiety not simply as a set of symptoms to be managed, but as a meaningful response that has often developed for good reasons. Many of the patterns we carry into adulthood, the tendency to people-please, to avoid conflict, to stay hypervigilant, were originally ways of coping in earlier relationships, perhaps with parents, siblings, or within school and social environments.
In our work together, we would explore what lies beneath your anxiety. This might involve looking at your early relational experiences and how they have shaped the way you respond to stress, uncertainty, or vulnerability in the present day. My training in psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural approaches means I can draw on a range of evidence-based techniques, tailoring the work to what feels most helpful for you.
Common Presentations of Anxiety
Anxiety does not look the same for everyone, and it can be helpful to recognise the different ways it might show up in your life. Some of the presentations I commonly work with include:
- Generalised anxiety, where worry feels constant and difficult to control, often moving from one concern to the next
- Social anxiety, where interactions with others feel overwhelming, leading to avoidance or a deep fear of being judged
- Panic attacks, which can involve sudden waves of intense fear, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness or a feeling that something catastrophic is about to happen
- Health anxiety, where persistent worry about illness or physical symptoms dominates your thinking
- Work-related anxiety, including burnout, imposter syndrome, and the pressures that come with high-performance environments
Having spent over 20 years in the financial services industry before retraining as a psychologist, I have a particular understanding of the stresses associated with city careers and high-pressure professional environments. If your anxiety is connected to your work life, I can bring both personal and clinical insight to that experience.
What to Expect from Therapy for Anxiety
In our sessions, I offer a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can speak openly about what is troubling you. There is no expectation to have everything figured out before you arrive. Many clients find that simply having a safe space to articulate their fears is a powerful first step.
We may work together on understanding the root causes of your anxiety, developing practical strategies to manage symptoms in the short term, and building a greater awareness of the relational patterns that may be maintaining your distress. The therapeutic relationship itself, the experience of being heard, understood and accepted, is often a key part of the healing process.
I work both in-person at my London practices in Oxford Circus, Shoreditch and Wimbledon, and online via video sessions. If you are unsure whether therapy is the right step, I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation where we can talk through what is on your mind and whether my approach might be a good fit for you.
Take the First Step
Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but it is also a courageous and meaningful step. If anxiety is affecting your quality of life, please do get in touch. You can contact me at [email protected] or call +44 (0)7930 348 294 to arrange a free initial conversation.