Symptoms of anxiety can be distressing and can include feelings of fear, unease, panic, palpitations, a racing heart, a tight feeling in chest or stomach, sweating, feelings of disorientation or shortness of breath. You can be anxious about one particular area in life or it can be about a range of things. You may even be anxious about your anxiety! 

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Anxiety is very common. Often just knowing this can be helpful. It can be so easy to think that everybody else is coping and it is only you who is experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings.

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It is also helpful to know that it is normal human behaviour experienced by most of us from time to time. We can all feel a level of anxiety in scenarios which are highly pressured- such as interviews, exams or public speaking. Sometimes, once the immediate stressor is removed, the anxiety disappears. Often however that is not the case. Anxiety can be a constant feature of our lives, and it can then become a problem, preventing us from fully engaging with life and enjoying it.

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The chances are that if you are reading this, you are in a situation where anxiety is encroaching on your life and causing difficulty. It could be at work or in your home life, or a combination of both. It might be that you avoid or dread social situations because you worry about what other people might be thinking.  It might be that anxiety is there in all areas of your life and that you have come to the realisation that you rarely, if ever, feel at ease.

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What does this cause to happen and what can be done about it?

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Anxiety can cause considerable distress, problems with concentration and often causes sleep problems. This can lead to a negative spiral where you are too tired to tackle your problems and see them in any sort of perspective. Often the fear of anxiety can lead you to avoid certain situations and your world starts to shrink and become increasingly scary. This can then result in even greater levels of anxiety as health and wellbeing starts to suffer. If you recognise yourself here, I can help. I will work with you to identify the factors which fuel the vicious cycle of your anxiety. We will then work on ways to help you manage it.

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How does this work?

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I use an evidence -based integration of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness known as Hypno-CBT®. This therapeutic approach is approved by The British Psychological Society and it is a powerful integration of therapies.

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CBT works through understanding that our thoughts (cognitions) our feelings/emotions behaviours and bodily sensations are all closely inter- connected. CBT helps you to recognise, understand and change unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour which are the underlying cause of your anxiety. Hypnotherapy often provides immediate relief by helping you to deeply relax and allowing you to give totally focused attention to the new changes which you wish to bring about. In addition, learning Mindfulness techniques allows you to live more fully in the present moment, without dwelling to too great a degree on past of future – a key component of worry. 

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I will help you to learn the skills, tools and techniques which will allow you to manage your anxiety long term. As each person is unique, we will find what works for you in your life and circumstances in accordance with your personal values and goals. I am a registered practitioner with the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR) and I am also an Approved Therapist for Anxiety UK.

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Anxiety UK Approved Therapist

As an Anxiety UK Approved Therapist, I am subject to Anxiety UK’s regular monitoring of my professional qualifications, supervision, continual professional development, insurance and professional body membership in addition to complying with the ethical framework and professional standards set down by my registered governing body.