Anxiety & Worry Counselling in Glasgow
Anxiety can affect how you think, feel and move through everyday life. Whether you’re constantly worrying, feeling overwhelmed, struggling to switch off, or simply finding things harder than they used to be, therapy can offer a space to slow down and understand what’s happening.
When Anxiety Starts to Take Over
Anxiety can sometimes feel as though your mind never quite switches off. You might find yourself going over conversations, worrying about things that haven't happened yet or imagining everything that could go wrong. Even when part of you knows that your worries may be unlikely, it doesn't always make them easier to stop.
Anxiety can also be very physical. A racing heart, tight chest, unsettled stomach, dizziness, difficulty sleeping or a constant feeling of being on edge can all make everyday situations feel harder than they once did. You might begin avoiding certain places or situations, seeking reassurance from others, or putting a lot of energy into trying to prevent something going wrong.
For some people there is an obvious reason their anxiety began. For others, it can seem to appear without explanation. You don't need to know where it comes from before coming to therapy. We can begin by understanding what anxiety looks and feels like for you.
Taking the first step
Reaching out for therapy can feel daunting, particularly when anxiety makes you question what to say or whether you're making the right decision. You don't need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. I offer a free 15–20 minute introductory call where we can briefly talk about what you're looking for, answer any questions you may have and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
How Therapy Can Help With Anxiety
Therapy can give you a space to slow things down and begin making sense of what is happening rather than feeling caught up in it. Together, we can explore the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and the things you find yourself doing when anxiety appears. Often, some of the things that help us feel safer in the short term — such as avoiding situations, checking, over-preparing or repeatedly seeking reassurance — can unintentionally keep anxiety going.
Understanding these patterns can help you begin responding to anxiety differently. My approach is grounded in CBT while drawing on different therapeutic approaches depending on you, your experiences and what we discover together. Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Our work might involve developing practical ways of responding to anxious thoughts and physical sensations, gradually approaching things anxiety has made difficult, building greater tolerance of uncertainty, or developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
We can shape our work together as therapy develops, focusing on what feels most helpful and meaningful for you. There isn't an expectation that you simply stop worrying or "think positively". The aim is to understand your experience and find ways of responding to anxiety that allow it to take up less space in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy
That's okay. You don't need to understand where your anxiety comes from before starting therapy. Part of our work can be exploring when anxiety appears, what seems to trigger it and the patterns that may be keeping it going.
Therapy can help you understand what happens in your body and mind during panic and explore the fear that can develop around experiencing another attack. We can also work on practical ways of responding to these sensations and gradually reducing the impact panic has on your life.
You won't suddenly be expected to confront your biggest fears. Where gradually approaching feared situations might be helpful, we would discuss this together and work collaboratively at a manageable pace.
No. Therapy doesn't have to be something you turn to only when things have reached crisis point. Just as we can take care of our physical health before something is seriously wrong, we can also be proactive about our emotional and psychological wellbeing. You might want to understand yourself better, notice patterns that are beginning to affect you, develop ways of coping with anxiety or simply make space for something that has been weighing on you. Seeking therapy earlier can give you an opportunity to understand what is happening and make changes before difficulties become more overwhelming.
There isn't one answer that fits everyone. It depends on what you're experiencing, what you'd like help with and what we discover together. We can regularly review how therapy is feeling and whether we're moving towards what you hoped to gain from it.
Yes. Sometimes there isn't an obvious external reason for feeling anxious, which can itself be confusing or frustrating. Therapy can help us become curious about what might be happening rather than assuming you need a “good enough” reason to feel the way you do.