Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural stress response, but when it becomes overwhelming or constant, it can take over your life. You may feel like your mind won’t switch off, your body is always tense, or you’re stuck in a loop of “what ifs.”

Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic — sometimes, it’s just a persistent unease that won’t go away.

How It Can Show Up

You might notice:

• Racing thoughts or trouble concentrating

• A sense of dread, even when nothing seems wrong

• Physical symptoms like chest tightness, nausea, or shakiness

• Restlessness or difficulty sleeping

• Avoiding situations or people that feel “too much”

• Irritability or sensitivity to noise, light, or pressure

• Panic attacks or fear of losing control

Everyone’s experience is different, and anxiety can sometimes go unnoticed for years.

Who It Affects

Anxiety is prevalent — it can affect students, professionals, carers, creatives, parents, and people from all walks of life. Sometimes it begins after a life event, or it can be a long-standing inner state. It’s not a sign of weakness — it’s a signal that something needs attention and care.

How Therapy Can Help

In therapy, we work together to:

• Understand the roots and triggers of your anxiety

• Explore how past experiences may be shaping your responses

• Learn tools to calm the body and quiet the mind

• Develop self-awareness, confidence, and a greater sense of control

• Create space to slow down and feel safe again

As a culturally aware and integrative therapist, I’ll meet you where you are, combining approaches like CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and solution-focused work to suit your needs.

You don’t have to live in a state of tension. With the proper support, anxiety can become something you understand and manage, not something that defines you.