Anxiety & Stress Management Therapy

Understanding Anxiety and Stress

Stress and anxiety are natural responses to pressure, change, or perceived threat. Stress often arises in response to external demands such as work, relationships, health concerns, or life transitions. Anxiety tends to persist even when immediate stressors are not present and may involve excessive worry, tension, restlessness, or fear.

While short-term stress can be adaptive, chronic stress and anxiety can begin to interfere with daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, sleep, relationships, and physical health.

Common Experiences of Anxiety

People experiencing anxiety or prolonged stress may notice:

• Persistent worry or racing thoughts

• Difficulty relaxing or feeling constantly “on edge”

• Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or fatigue

• Sleep disturbance

• Avoidance of certain situations

• Reduced concentration or emotional overwhelm

Anxiety can take many forms, including generalised anxiety, panic symptoms, social anxiety, or stress linked to specific life circumstances.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy provides a structured and supportive space to understand the sources of stress and anxiety, develop emotional regulation, and restore a sense of balance and control.

CBT for anxiety

• Identify unhelpful thinking patterns that maintain anxiety

• Develop practical strategies to reduce worry and avoidance

• Build coping tools for managing stress responses

• Increase confidence in handling challenging situations

CBT is often helpful for managing symptoms and creating tangible change in day-to-day functioning.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences, relational patterns, and unconscious processes influence current anxiety and stress responses. This approach supports:

• Understanding emotional triggers and underlying conflicts

• Recognising recurring patterns in relationships or self-expectations

• Developing deeper self-awareness and emotional insight

This can be particularly helpful when anxiety feels longstanding, complex, or connected to earlier life experiences.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic and person-centred therapy emphasises empathy, authenticity, and the therapeutic relationship. This approach supports individuals to:

• Develop greater self-acceptance and emotional clarity

• Reconnect with personal values and needs

• Build resilience and self-trust

Humanistic therapy can be especially beneficial when stress and anxiety are linked to self-criticism, burnout, or loss of direction.

A Personalised Approach

Anxiety and stress affect people differently. Therapeutic work is tailored to your individual experiences, goals, and pace. Sessions may focus on symptom management, emotional understanding, practical coping strategies, or longer-term personal development.

Moving Toward Balance

With the right support, it is possible to reduce anxiety, manage stress more effectively, and regain a sense of steadiness and confidence. Therapy offers a space to slow down, reflect, and develop tools that support psychological wellbeing both now and in the future.