Anxiety is a natural human response to stress or a perceived threat. It is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease, typically about something with an uncertain outcome. Whilst it is normal to experience anxiety on occasion, it becomes problematic when it becomes chronic, excessive or interferes with daily life. 

Symptoms can vary but often include excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.  

For more information on Anxiety click here

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How can counselling help?

As an integrative counsellor I have the ability to work with you and your anxiety in a number of ways. Some of the ways of working could include:

1. Addressing underlying issues: by exploring and addressing what has contribute to your anxiety, such as past trauma, family dynamics or low self esteem, I can help you understand you and your anxiety and ways to move forwards.

2. Identifying triggers: by identify what is triggering your anxiety you can learn coping strategies to manage them effectively.

3. Learning coping skills: relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and mindfulness can help to minimise the symptoms of anxiety. 

4. Changing thought patterns: recognising and challenging negative thought patterns which contribute to anxiety can help reduce and improve your overall wellbeing.

Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed. You may also experience physical symptoms, such as changes in appetite, sleep patterns, fatigue and loss in concentration. Depression can vary in severity, from mild to severe, and can significantly impact your daily life. 

For more information on depression click here

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How can counselling help?

As an integrative counsellor I have the ability to work with you and your depression/low mood in a number of ways. Some of the ways of working could include:

1. Identifying and exploring underlying issues: depression is often linked to underlying issues. Exploring these, past trauma, negative thoughts, unresolved conflicts or thoughts and beliefs about yourself can help you feel heard, understood, validated and move forwards. 

2. Improving self-esteem and self-awareness: negative self-perceptions and feelings of inadequacy often go hand in hand with depression. Counselling can providing a space for you to develop a more positive self-image, improve self-esteem and foster greater self-awareness.

3. Building social support: feelings of loneliness and despair can be felt due to withdrawing, a common behaviour of depression. Exploring social connections, relationships and ways to improve and maintain these can help minimise these feelings. 

Loss refers to the experience of being deprived of someone or something significant in one's life. This can include the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, loss of a job, or any major change that disrupts one's sense of normalcy or stability. Loss can evoke a wide range of emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and even relief in some cases.

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How can counselling help?

Depending on your loss and how you are experiencing it we can work in a number of ways. Some of the ways of working could include:

1. Emotional support: providing a safe and non-judgemental space for you to express you feelings and process your emotions related to your loss. Offering you empathy, validation, and understanding, can help you feel heard and supported during this time.

2. Grief processing: Grief is a natural response to loss, but everyone experiences and expresses it differently. I can help you navigate the grieving process, understand your emotions, and find healthy ways to cope with your loss.

3. Coping Strategies: coping strategies and techniques to help you manage your grief and navigate the challenges that come with loss. This may include relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, journaling, or creative expression.

4. Exploring Meaning and Purpose: Loss often raises existential questions about life, meaning, and purpose. Providing a space to explore these deeper existential issues and find meaning in their experiences, can help you make sense of your loss and find a sense of closure.