Therapy For Anxiety: What Type of Therapy Is Best and How Does It Help?

Quite simply, any type of talking therapy can make a positive difference to anxiety.

As an integrative therapist, someone with a lot of different tools in my therapy toolbox, I like to pick my tools to suit both the type of anxiety and the person with the anxiety. For example, I like to use some CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which initially helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety but I also like to do some deeper work to try and work out and treat the causes of the anxiety.

In my experience just addressing the symptoms can result in some quick improvement but addressing the causes can help to make that improvement more secure and long lasting. Some people come to me for a few weeks of short term work (between 6 and 20) to get help with their symptoms, with others we end up working for longer exploring more of the underlying causes and working on them.

How do you know when you need a therapist for your anxiety?

Having some level of worry and anxiety is normal. It’s a natural protective mechanism to keep us safe. Without some self-protection someone might just walk across the road without looking and obviously that’s dangerous.

However, when anxiety starts significantly impinging on our ability to function, eg. enjoying life, that’s the time to think seriously about getting some help. Some signs of this can be obsessive behaviours or thoughts. For example, a behaviour can be excessive hand washing. Another sign can be worrying excessively about a particular future event or perceived threat.

Most people know when the time has come to check out with a professional whether their level of anxiety is too much. Think about whether your level anxiety is adversely affecting your daily life and seek help if you think it is. Remember, you are not alone and there are effective proven treatments available to help manage anxiety. Don't hesitate to reach out for support and guidance from a mental health professional like myself.

How can therapy help with anxiety?

Therapy helps with anxiety because sometimes just the very simple act of speaking to a trained, impartial, non-judgemental, experienced therapist can bring an immediate sense of relief. Just unloading openly and freely can make you feel better. But obviously therapy is much more involved than this. Therapy can provide individuals with the support, guidance and tools they need to manage their anxiety and improve their quality of life.

Therapy will help you look at things differently and do things differently. It will also help you understand where your difficulties have come from so that you have greater awareness, insight and understanding into yourself. The vast majority of people find that this approach can produce an improvement in the way they feel, helping them feel lighter and more fulfilled.

Overall, therapy can help you better understand and manage your anxiety, leading to a feeling of well-being and increased ability to cope with life's challenges. It can also provide a sense of validation and relief to know that you are not alone in your struggles.

Can therapy help with separation anxiety?

Therapy for separation anxiety will look at the way you form attachments. Attachments are the way in which we connect and attach to others. Everyone has a different style of attachment and surprisingly enough most people have a style called ‘insecure attachment’. What this means is that we can have a fear of being separated in some way from the people who we are closest to. Our earliest relationships, e.g., with our parents, can really affect our attachment style. Together with your therapist you would look at how your style of attachment developed and how it plays out in your present day life. You would also look at different ways of thinking about your fear of separation or abandonment and also perhaps updating your way or relating to other people.

Separation anxiety can be difficult, distressing or even overwhelming but therapy can help by addressing underlying attachment issues and providing tools and strategies to cope with separation. Don't hesitate to reach out to me today if you are struggling — I am trained to help and support you in your healing journey to overcoming separation anxiety.

How much does anxiety therapy cost?

The cost of anxiety therapy can vary widely. I operate a sliding scale of fees starting at £70 per 50 minute session.

You can get a limited number of free sessions via your GP in the NHS. However, the number of sessions would be limited to as few as 6 and it may involve joining a waiting list. Seeing a trained therapist in private practice, the fee per session can vary between £40 and £250 depending on the experience of the therapist and the setting in which you see them. My fee starts at £70 per 50-minute session.

It is important to research and find a therapist who is a good fit for you in terms of their qualifications, experience, and approach to therapy. It is also important to discuss fees and policies with the therapist before beginning therapy.

How do I go about making an appointment for anxiety therapy?

If you are looking to work with someone like myself, a very experienced therapist, then I would love to hear from you. You are welcome to phone, text or email me. Assuming I have availability, we will schedule an appointment to meet and see how we get on together. It’s really as simple as that.

Want to get to know me a little bit first? No Problem! I also offer a full 50 minute initial consultation for £70 to get to know you and understand your needs. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions about my approach and credentials. During the initial consultation, I will discuss my approach to treatment and what you can expect from therapy. I will also explain my fees, terms and any other logistics you may want to know.

To schedule an appointment for anxiety therapy, please contact me. I look forward to helping you on your journey towards improved mental health. It’s never too late to be happy!