Understanding Anxiety: What It Is and How Therapy Can Help

Anxiety is something we all experience at some point in our lives. It's that fluttering in your chest before a big presentation, the racing thoughts when you're facing uncertainty, or the persistent worry that something might go wrong. While some anxiety is a normal part of being human, for many people, it can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life.

What Is Anxiety?

At its core, anxiety is our body's natural response to perceived threats. It's part of our survival mechanism—the "fight or flight" response that kept our ancestors safe from danger. However, in our modern world, this system can become overactive, responding to everyday situations as if they were life-threatening.

Anxiety can manifest in many ways:

• Physical symptoms: Racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath
• Cognitive symptoms: Excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, catastrophic thinking
• Behavioural symptoms: Avoidance of certain situations, restlessness, difficulty sleeping
• Emotional symptoms: Feeling on edge, irritability, a sense of dread

When Does Anxiety Become a Problem?

It's important to distinguish between normal, everyday anxiety and anxiety that requires professional support. Consider seeking help if:

• Your anxiety persists for weeks or months
• It interferes with work, relationships, or daily activities
• You find yourself avoiding situations due to fear
• Physical symptoms are affecting your quality of life
• You're using alcohol or other substances to cope

How Integrative Therapy Helps

In my practice, I take an integrative approach to treating anxiety. This means I draw from various therapeutic modalities to create a personalised treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

Understanding the Root Causes

Rather than simply managing symptoms, we work together to understand what's driving your anxiety. This might involve exploring:

• Past experiences that may have contributed to anxious patterns
• Current life stressors and how you're coping with them
• Thought patterns that amplify anxious feelings
• The relationship between your body and mind

Building Practical Skills

Therapy also provides you with practical tools to manage anxiety in the moment:

• Breathing techniques to calm the nervous system
• Grounding exercises for when anxiety feels overwhelming
• Cognitive strategies to challenge unhelpful thoughts
• Ways to gradually face feared situations

Creating Lasting Change

The goal isn't just to feel better temporarily—it's to create lasting change. Through our work together, you can develop a deeper understanding of yourself, build resilience, and find new ways of relating to anxiety when it arises.

Taking the First Step

If anxiety is affecting your life, know that you don't have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. In a safe, non-judgmental space, we can work together to help you find relief and reclaim your sense of peace.

If you're ready to take that first step, get in touch to arrange an initial consultation where we can discuss your concerns and explore whether therapy might be helpful for you.

If you're ready to take that first step, I'd be honoured to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing.