Online Anxiety therapists in Harwich, England ENG, United Kingdom UK

Anxiety can be debilitating and distressing, and prevent you from being the person or parent you can be or would like to be. But there is a way forward for you. And I can be of support. I can offer a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can relieve thoughts and feelings you find troubling, and gently work through any experiences underlying them. You're welcome to get in touch to ask questions or book a consultation to explore if I'm the right counsellor for you.  

For people who have never suffered from anxiety it is almost impossible to describe how debilitating the symptoms can be. It can seem as if there is no escape from the pain and discomfort; it feels like life will be like this forever and that the symptoms can’t be helped. Conventional approaches to anxiety seek to medicate. Many physicians may tell you that your anxiety is something you just have to live with.  Counseling or mainstream psychological approaches may have you manipulate or change your thought patterns, while alternative practices may seek to have you relax or practice mindfulness.  While there is value in some of these approaches, most fail to reach that deeper understanding of the underlying cause of anxiety and panic. Symptoms of anxiety and panic are not the same as emotions of fear – these include worry, nervous, apprehension, concern, etc. In everyday life we tend to talk about anxiety symptoms and conditions as being the same as emotions of fear, nervousness and worry. This is confusing for the simple reason that anxiety symptoms are not merely amplified fear, even though this can be what they feel like in many instances. Anxiety is something of an umbrella term that covers quite a wide range of symptoms and experiences. In some instances this symptoms and conditions might relate to emotions of fear but in other instances they do not. This is why it is entirely possible to rid ourselves of anxiety symptoms whereas we cannot, and should not try to rid ourselves of healthy emotions, because they play a vital feedback role in our day to day experience of life. These are the anxiety conditions: - anxious apprehension (worry, rumination) - generalised anxiety disorder (free floating anxiety) - Intense anxiety and panic attacks - obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - phobias of all kinds including agoraphobia and social phobia - eating disorders - derealisation - depersonalisation There is an enormous amount of scientific evidence to show that various regions of the brain are either over active or dysfunctional when anxiety symptoms are present. One of the most salient issues pertaining to this kind of scientific research is that different types of anxiety symptoms correspond with different areas of brain dysfunction.The forebrain appears to be the area most affected in most anxiety disorders. This is the largest portion of the brain and includes the cerebral hemispheres, the limbic system, the thalamus and hypothalamus, amygdala and the corpus callosum. Each of the brain hemispheres is divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal. Collectively, the forebrain functions to control cognitive, sensory and motor function, regulate temperature, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping and the display of emotions. When it becomes dysfunctional it is evident that the range of symptoms can be enormous.Recent studies using electroencephalographic (EEG) methods have found that patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder had heightened activity in the left brain regions, whereas patients with panic disorder, panic symptoms or those subjected to high stress situations exhibited enhanced activity in the right hemisphere. The important lesson from this type of research is that anxiety conditions are not all the same and therefore each case needs to be approached and treated depending on the needs of the individual and the types of symptoms present.  However, we must also be mindful that over activity or dysfunction in brain regions is not the cause of anxiety – rather this activity is caused and supported by the 4 core element model outlined below.  It is these 4 Anchors that trigger brain dysfunction, and it is only by fully addressing these that a complete cessation of symptoms is achieved. The first step is to understand the nature, structure and cause of anxiety, and then we can begin to address the cause of the symptoms. Within our culture we use the words ‘anxious’ and ‘anxiety’ to mean both the emotion of fear and a varied and debilitating set of symptoms. This can be extremely confusing since fear, in the form of worry, nervous, scared, or dread, is often very different from the symptoms of anxiety or a panic disorder. I would argue that even though many anxiety symptoms can feel like fear, it’s also the case that many anxiety and panic symptoms do not feel like fear (see Anxiety Symptoms Checklist below). This means that is possible to experience anxiety symptoms without being afraid of anything. Even though anxiety can be related to the emotion of fear at a deep unconscious level, there are many instances when symptoms of anxiety are present and there is no evidence of the emotion of fear. Most sufferers of anxiety will experience fear about the symptoms; though fear of symptoms is not the cause of symptoms.  Fear can exacerbate symptoms and make sufferers of anxietyfeel significantly worse; however it is rarely, if ever, the underlying cause. So what causes anxiety symptoms? The first step is to embrace the notion that symptoms are feedback from body and brain.  Symptoms are not some nasty evil invader trying to make us suffer, they have reason for existing and that reason is to let us know that something is not right, something is blocked and out of balance. There are Four Core Elements that lock anxiety symptoms in place. When we address these four core elements, we not only banish anxiety symptoms, we open up to the possibility of experiencing ourselves in a whole new way. The 4 core energy-flow model comprises: - FEAR & AVOIDANCE OF SYMPTOMS. Anxiety is deeply uncomfortable so it can be a natural reaction to avoid situations and events that seem to cause anxiety. Avoidance can lead to more symptoms, so carefully navigating through this is the first step. - REWIRING THE EMOTIONAL SYSTEM. Our emotion has a massive impact on body and brain. Blockages and imbalances within the emotional system are significant causes and contributors to anxiety conditions as well as a huge range of other chronic health challenges. Yet, our understanding of the nature of emotion and how to effectively process and regulate it remain poor. This element focuses in revealing the true nature of emotion and critically how to connect with it and facilitate a flow. - WEARING A MASK: As we move through life and seek to get along, fit in, be accepted and do well, we unconsciously block our true nature and end up being more of who we are not than who we are. Anxiety symptoms often tell us when we are covering up who we are, or are disconnected from our authentic core. Reconnecting with our core and removing the shackles of who we used to be takes us a step closer to being anxiety free. - CONTROL & CREATION: Whether we like it or not, we play a significant role in the creation of our experience of life and reality. However, when shackled with anxiety we feel out of control, restricted as if we have lost our freedom. Learning how to create inner freedom and design our lives is the final piece of the puzzle. The four core element model uncovers a different perspective on the cause of anxiety conditions and embraces a full understanding of the nature of the human condition. It puts you back in the driver’s seat to return to your natural healthy self. Your natural state is to be connected and happy; all that’s needed is a little guidance to help you find the way back to your default setting.  

I use an integrative approach (CBT and mindfulness) to help clients overcome anxiety and phobias. My stance is accepting and patient, and I encourage clients to bring compassion to themselves and their difficulties.  

Anxiety is a strong feeling of worry or fear that a person experiences when faced with an impending danger. Using person-centered counseling helps the client to discover a coping mechanism that works for them.  

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear that is a normal response to a range of different situations. However, when we begin to feel overwhelmed or triggered from our past or current life experiences it engages our ‘flight or fight’ response. This happens when our body feels as if it’s in danger, This can be real or interpreted. When you feel anxious or fearful every day your mental and physical health can be affected: You can feel varying levels of fear and anxiety which can cause sleepless nights, worry, sweating, nausia, hightened emotions and thoughts, feelings of wanting to stay under the duvet or sometimes thoughts of self harming and suicide. Counselling can help you explore the cause of these feelings, understand them and work though them helping you manage day to day stresses in a healthier way and help you free yourself of possible responses to historic experiences.  

Strategies to mitigate anxiety and understand this state of being.  

Anxiety is extreme worry or apprehension which is a normal reaction to an extremely stressful situation. However if anxiety is characterised by physical changes such as increased blood pressure or rapid heart beat or recurring intrusive fearful thoughts or concerns it can lead to serious mental health issues.  

Anxiety can show up in many different ways, from persistent worry and overthinking to panic, self-doubt, difficulty relaxing, or a constant sense of being on edge. While anxiety can feel overwhelming, it often develops for understandable reasons and may be connected to past experiences, relationships, responsibilities, or ways of coping that have become stretched beyond their limits. Together, we can explore what may be contributing to your anxiety, develop a deeper understanding of your emotional experience, and build practical ways of responding that support greater confidence, calm, and self-trust.  

I provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which is the recommended psychological therapy for panic attacks, agoraphobia, social anxiety/ social phobia, other phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder* and stress/ burnout. I have several years experience of supporting clients who had been bullied at school or gone through workplace bullying, harrassment, stalking, domestic violence and court proceedings. During my professional qualification I chose to specialise in panic attacks and agoraphobia for my research and dissertation. I have provided therapy for clients who had phobias of elevators, buses, trains, underground trains, bees, dogs, hospitals, needles, blood, injuries, and childbirth. I can also provide CBT for depression, traumas and PTSD. (*GAD also known as chronic neurosis is excessive and persistent worrying about several areas of your life, worry that is out of proportion with the situation and interfering with day-to-day life, a feeling of not being able to control worrying, and difficulties around overthinking and planning for potential problems that have not occurred.)  

Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP) work together to ease anxiety and fear by addressing both the physiological activation and the emotional intensity underneath. SE helps regulate the nervous system by slowing the fast, anxious energy in the body, releasing stuck fight-or-flight responses, and restoring a sense of internal safety. ISP deepens this work by helping you stay with the bodily sensations and emotions associated with fear—like tightness, worry, or unease—without becoming overwhelmed. Together, these approaches reduce hypervigilance, calm the system, and support a grounded, steady ability to meet life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence.  

Everyone feels anxious some of the time. When it is persistent, however, that’s a sign it’s time to treat your anxiety. Persistent anxiety can affect your ability to enjoy life. You might feel a sense of consistent worry just beneath the surface of your thoughts, making it impossible for you to focus. Your thoughts might race so quickly that you feel as though your head will explode. It doesn’t have to be this way.  

I offer support for anxiety and fear, including persistent worry, panic, social anxiety, and the underlying sense of unease that can shape everyday life. Many people I work with feel caught in cycles of overthinking, physical tension, avoidance, or a constant sense of being “on edge,” often without fully understanding why these patterns persist. My approach is grounded in psychoanalytic and relational psychotherapy, which means we explore not only current symptoms, but also the deeper emotional and relational roots of anxiety. Together, we pay attention to unconscious patterns, early attachment experiences, and how past relationships may continue to shape present-day fears and responses. Alongside this, I integrate somatic awareness to help you reconnect with your body and better understand how anxiety is held physically, such as through breath, tension, or nervous system activation. This can support greater regulation and a sense of grounding. Where appropriate, I may also use psychoeducation to help you understand what is happening in the mind and body during states of anxiety, which can reduce fear and increase a sense of control and clarity. I may also integrate EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques / tapping) as a tool to support emotional processing and calming the nervous system. Therapy with me is collaborative and paced according to your needs. We work gently and steadily to help you develop greater awareness of your anxiety patterns, reduce their intensity over time, and build a more secure and grounded sense of self in relation to fear and uncertainty.  

Everyone gets anxious sometimes. But when anxiety stops you from living your life—when you're avoiding things that matter, waking up at 3am with your heart racing, or constantly scanning for danger even when you're safe—something deeper is going on. For some people, we find the root fairly quickly. For others, it takes more digging to understand why your nervous system learned to stay on high alert. Either way, we work together to understand what's driving it, then change it. Not just manage the symptoms, but actually address why your body thinks it needs to protect you all the time. Anxiety isn't a character flaw. It's your nervous system doing what it learned to do. We can help it learn something different.  

I have personally experienced my own anxiety and fears and I currently help my clients to explore and understand their anxiety, it’s worries, overthinking as well as helping them to put strategies in place, bring compassion into their lives and create a pathway into the future.  

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, like it’s in the driver’s seat of your life. In our work together, we can gently explore the parts of you that hold fear and worry, and uncover the protective roles they’ve been playing. As an example you can learn to connect with these parts from a place of compassion, you’ll begin to feel more calm, confident, and in charge. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to find relief from anxiety and reconnect with your Self, I’m here to support you.  

Anxiety and fear can affect every part of life, leaving you feeling trapped in overthinking, worry, avoidance, panic, self-doubt, or constant anticipation that something bad is about to happen. I work with clients to understand not just the symptoms of anxiety, but the deeper patterns, experiences, relationships, and pressures that may be driving it underneath. Together, we can explore what your anxiety is trying to protect you from, why certain fears feel so powerful, and how to develop a greater sense of safety, confidence, and calm. My approach is less about managing symptoms alone and more about understanding your inner world and what may need to change beneath the surface.  

Anxiety and fear often points to the meaning of something that might happen in the future. It may be the fear of losing your job or a relationship that is struggling. It may be the anxiety from the responsibility that come with living in the modern world and what might feel like no freedom. I believe most often, anxiety is telling you something useful and critical in you life that require exploration. I invite you to come and explore your anxiety with curiosity and what it is trying to tell you. With that awareness, new choices may appear.  

Anxiety and Fear covers a spectrum of disorders and I have helped clients who have experienced such concerns ranging from the most severe psychotic paranoia to panic, worry and intrusive thoughts. I do not believe there is a good or bad, right or wrong, better or worse label in these comparisons rather each person has their own experience of what they are going through and to learn to alleviate those difficulties is what I work to do.  

Anxiety and fear can be debilitating and cause you to miss out on so much in life. You may feel crippled by the overwhelming feelings and feel there is no way our. A healthy level of anxiety is part of everyday life but when it becomes too big, or you cannot see your way out, you can end up feeling helpless and as though nothing will get you through the fear. By bringing this to counselling, you can begin to explore where it started, bring in a bit of realistic thinking, and can learn to soothe these feelings and take the power back to live your life as you want it.  

Who does not know fear? It is another core emotion - part of the very fabric of our inner lives. In good-enough development we develop a range of coping mechanisms that support us in managing fear and worry when they arise. In some cases, however, we struggle and we become too overwhelmed. In our desire to get rid of what might feel like an excessive, unbearable emotion, we start doing things that might hinder our lives (e.g. relying on substances to self-regulate; self-isolating; or trying to control ourselves and what surrounds us in excessive ways). If you would like to understand better your ways of experiencing and responding to anxiety and fear, please get in touch.