No matter who you are, you will have experienced anxiety at some point in your life. Anxiety is a natural human response to when we perceive that we are under threat. Anxiety is when we feel tense, worried or afraid. Anxiety is extremely common and is actually very useful as it can keep us safe and inform us when there is a threat. You may feel anxiety when experiencing particularly stressful events such as divorce or moving house. For some people it can have much more severe symptoms than in others and seriously negatively impact their lives on a day to day basis.
Experiencing anxiety from time to time is normal, and everyone feels anxious at some moments in their life, such as during an exam, when moving house or when going through separation. It is estimated that more than 3 million people have an anxiety disorder in the uk alone, and it is likely that this figure is inaccurately low, as many people never speak to a doctor or a specialist about their mental health and wellbeing. Anxiety is extremely common and despite the severe and alarming symptoms, it is a perfectly treatable condition. Left unchallenged though, anxiety and panic attacks can lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as:.
What anxiety counselling techniques are available?
As a counsellor and hypnotherapist, i’ve worked with hundreds of people to help them overcome anxiety and/or panic attacks. Should you choose to work with me, my aim is to do the same for you too.
During your counselling or hypnotherapy sessions i’ll help you development the skills necessary for reducing anxiety and panic attacks, and preventing further recurrences. Typical sessions often include:
relaxation to reduce chronic tension,
techniques to deal with and let go of worrying thoughts and feelings,
learning more helpful coping and problem solving strategies, and
learning to live with uncertainty.
C has provided a combination of case management and counselling functions while working with leah. As counsellor, c has used cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and gestalt therapy techniques to facilitate achievement of the client’s goals. In reducing her high levels of anxiety and stress, leah was able to address her more practical needs, for example challenging her beliefs about what her former colleagues thought of her enabled her to contact one of them to follow up on the offer of accommodation. While c provided education and support in this regard, leah carried out most of the practical tasks herself, thereby building on her strengths and further increasing her confidence levels and reducing her pessimism.
Eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, practicing deep breathing, getting a massage or learning to meditate. Taking times for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music. Fostering healthy friendships (avoid isolation). Having a sense of humour volunteering in your community. Seeking professional counselling/support if you are struggling. The positive payoff for learning to manage stress and anxiety is a calmer mind, improved relationships and a greater sense of enjoying a healthier life. If you feel you are struggling please get in touch.
What treatments are available for anxiety?
Your therapist may use a specific approach to help you tackle your symptoms, or they may combine several approaches to best suit you. Cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) is one therapeutic approach that can help you to identify any thought patterns causing you anxiety and learn new techniques to cope with stressful situations. Your therapist can help you to identify any barriers to reducing your anxiety and they might put together a personalised therapy plan, listening to what does - and doesn’t - work best for you.
We pride ourselves on delivering a high quality, effective and compassionate service to our clients, with respectful consideration to confidentiality and personal dignity. White friars offers a safe and completely confidential setting, conveniently situated in the centre of chester and working with clients from chester, wrexham and the surrounding areas. Our team of both male and female therapists/counsellors work collaboratively with clients to facilitate clarity and perspective, help develop coping strategies to deal with recent or long-standing personal issues and to improve general well-being and resilience. We believe that our team’s expertise, diverse skills-base (person-centered counselling, cbt, emdr, psychodynamic, psychoanalytical, integrative, transactional analysis) and decades of professional counselling experience make white friars counselling and psychotherapy a unique, effective and compassionate service.
Hello and welcome – i’m gemma (she/her), a fully qualified counsellor. I offer one-to-one counselling to adults on a short term or long term basis. From my private practice, i provide counselling in hedge end, southampton, hampshire. This is in easy reach of eastleigh, chandlers ford, bishops waltham, fareham, portsmouth and winchester. I also work remotely so can work with anyone located within the uk. I am a registered member of the british association for counselling and psychotherapy (bacp). Notice i am now working face-to-face and online. Spaces for in-person sessions are limited, please enquire for current availability. Gemma evans mbacp.