Finding a Way Through Anxiety with a Humanistic Approach
Finding a Way Through Anxiety
Anxiety can feel overwhelming. For some people it shows up as constant worry, racing thoughts or a restless body that never seems to switch off. For others it is felt more physically. A tight knot in the stomach, a heaviness in the chest or a persistent sense that something bad is just around the corner. However it shows itself, anxiety can leave you feeling stuck, exhausted and unsure of what to do next.
I offer anxiety counselling in Brighton for people who want to understand what is happening beneath these experiences, rather than simply trying to suppress or manage symptoms. Many of the people I work with describe feeling trapped in their own minds, constantly on alert, even when there is no obvious danger. Over time, this can take a real toll on your confidence, relationships and sense of self.
When people first come to counselling, they often hope I will have the answer — a single technique, strategy or explanation that will make the anxiety go away. That is an understandable hope. But anxiety is not something that can be quickly fixed or switched off. It is part of being human, and very often it carries important information about what is happening in your life, your relationships or your internal world.
My role is not to eliminate anxiety, but to help you understand it, work with it and gradually loosen its grip. When anxiety is approached with curiosity rather than fear, it often becomes less overwhelming and more manageable.
Counselling offers a space to pause. A space to slow things down and explore your experience without judgement or pressure. You are not analysed, labelled or told what to do. Instead, the work is collaborative. You set the pace. You decide what feels safe to talk about. My role is to be alongside you, to listen carefully, notice patterns, sit with difficult moments and help you make sense of what your anxiety may be trying to communicate.
Over time, many people find that anxiety no longer dominates their lives in the same way. It may not disappear altogether, but it often becomes less frightening. People frequently report feeling more grounded, more confident and more connected to themselves, with a clearer sense of how they want to live and respond to challenges.
My Approach to Anxiety Counselling
People often arrive unsure of what counselling will actually involve. Will it be advice? Techniques? Being told how to think differently? My way of working is somewhat different. I am trained in a humanistic approach to counselling, drawing primarily from person-centred and Gestalt therapy. These approaches strongly shape how I work with anxiety and how I meet the people who come to see me.
- A humanistic starting point
Humanistic counselling is grounded in the belief that people have an innate tendency towards growth, understanding and change when the right conditions are present. In practice, this means creating a therapeutic relationship built on empathy, honesty and acceptance.
Anxiety is not treated as a fault, weakness or something “wrong” with you. Instead, it is approached as meaningful – something that has developed for a reason, even if that reason is not yet clear. Rather than analysing you from a distance, I focus on meeting you as you are, in the reality of your experience.
For many people seeking counselling for anxiety, this in itself can be a relief. Especially if you are used to feeling judged, misunderstood or under pressure to “just cope”.
- Person-centred values
Person-centred therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, places the relationship at the heart of the work. Rogers described three core conditions: empathy, unconditional positive regard and genuineness. These are not techniques, but ways of being that shape how I work.
In practical terms, this means you are met with respect, warmth and openness. You do not need to perform, impress or have the right words. Many people with anxiety already feel watched, evaluated or criticised, by others or by themselves. Counselling can be a place where those patterns soften, allowing you to reconnect with your own inner sense of direction.
- Gestalt influence
From Gestalt therapy, I bring a focus on the present moment. What is happening now. Anxiety often pulls us into the future, into imagined scenarios and “what ifs”. By gently slowing things down, we can begin to notice how anxiety shows up in your body, how it shapes your thoughts and how it affects your relationships and choices.
This awareness can open up new possibilities. Gestalt therapy also values experimentation and creativity, which might involve trying new ways of expressing yourself, relating to anxiety differently or responding to situations that feel difficult. Nothing is forced. Everything happens at your pace, with your consent.
Anxiety Counselling in Brighton & Hove
If you are looking for anxiety counselling in Brighton & Hove, and something here resonates, it may be worth getting in touch. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin.