Therapy for Anxiety

Anxiety can take many different forms. For some, it is persistent overthinking or self-doubt. For others, it can manifest more physically: difficulty relaxing, difficulty sleeping, or feeling in a state of panic or flight.

Earlier Experiences

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the focus is on what this might be communicating. These experiences rarely exist in isolation; they are likely rooted in earlier experiences or patterns of relating that have evolved over time. These may be influenced by early relationships, attachments, and coping strategies. Often, the coping strategies we use may help us to adapt to life stressors, but may not always serve us well as adults. You might observe familiar cycles in your interactions, like feeling particularly sensitive to rejection or abandonment. This can result in rethinking past events or frequently doubting yourself, and may even cause you to be swayed by how others react.

Anxiety can arise when we experience inner tension, such as wanting closeness and attachment, but also fearing vulnerability, striving for success, whilst fearing judgement. These conflicts may go unnoticed, but can strongly influence our emotions.

High-functioning anxiety can often go unnoticed, but nevertheless can take its toll. It can take up space in your thoughts, even when it might seem, at least on the surface, that you are managing your life well.

A Sense of Constant Pressure

While others might see you as dependable and capable, your inner experience can feel quite different. You may feel a sense of constant pressure, overthinking, difficulty switching off, or a sense of burnout. In this way, anxiety can be related to a sense of identity, which in turn makes it difficult to recognise when something is not sustainable. Seeing anxiety and emotional burnout as something to block out, a psychodynamic approach offers a curious and non-judgemental way of making sense of what it is trying to communicate.

Therapy provides a confidential and consistent space to explore what is driving these patterns and to find a more sustainable way of relating. We can notice and understand these patterns, both in your day-to-day life and within the therapeutic relationship itself. Exploring the roots of anxiety can help reduce overwhelm and make sense of your responses in relationships, instead of feeling trapped in repetitive behaviours.

Understand Patterns

My therapeutic approach offers a space where we can take time to explore your experiences of anxiety in depth, at a pace that feels manageable for you, to understand how patterns have developed. We can begin to explore how past experiences can impact the present by developing more adaptive coping strategies and enhanced emotional regulation and resilience. I understand that talking about anxiety can feel exposing and evoke a sense of vulnerability, especially if you are someone who has learned that you must cope with things alone. Central to my therapeutic approach is recognising the importance of building a sense of trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship, so that difficult thoughts and feelings can be explored together. In this way, such overwhelming thoughts and feelings become more manageable.

For many people, anxiety is inextricably linked to past experiences and patterns of relating. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy can help to understand what drives your anxiety and help to build a more manageable and grounded way of managing life. You may find it helpful to read more about my work with trauma or my approach to relational therapy if you are curious to explore the deeper layers as to why anxiety is impacting your life.