Anxiety & Stress
Finding calm and balance in an overwhelming world
Understanding Anxiety & Stress
Anxiety and stress are natural responses to demanding or threatening situations, but when they become overwhelming or persistent, they can significantly impact your quality of life. Anxiety involves excessive worry, fear, and nervous feelings that can be difficult to control, while stress refers to the physical and emotional tension experienced when facing challenges or pressure.
Both can manifest in various ways—from generalized anxiety that affects day-to-day life to specific phobias, panic attacks, or stress-related burnout. Left unaddressed, chronic anxiety and stress can affect your physical health, relationships, work performance, and overall wellbeing.
You're Not Alone in This Experience
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions globally. Modern life presents numerous stressors and triggers that contribute to their prevalence:
- Work pressures and increasing demands for productivity
- Financial worries and economic uncertainty
- Social media and constant connectivity
- Major life changes and transitions
- Relationship and family challenges
- Health concerns and global events
- Genetic predispositions and neurobiological factors
Many people attempt to manage these feelings alone, but effective treatment can substantially improve your capacity to handle stress and reduce anxiety symptoms.
Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy
Consider seeking professional support if you experience these patterns:
Persistent Worry
You find it difficult to control worrying thoughts, even about everyday matters.
Physical Symptoms
Experiencing tension, restlessness, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, or digestive issues.
Sleep Disruption
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to racing thoughts or worry.
Avoidance Behaviors
Avoiding situations, places, or activities due to anxiety or fear.
Difficulty Concentrating
Finding it hard to focus or feeling that your mind goes blank due to worry.
Irritability
Feeling on edge, irritable, or experiencing a shortened temper.
Seeking Help Is a Sign of Strength
Many people live with anxiety and stress for years before seeking help. Reaching out for support isn't a sign of weakness—it's a proactive step toward reclaiming your wellbeing and living a more fulfilling life. Everyone struggles at times, and seeking therapy is a responsible way to care for your mental health.
What to Expect from Therapy
Your therapy will be tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Calen Therapy offers different therapeutic approaches for anxiety and stress:
- With Helen: Helen's extensive training allows her to draw from multiple approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and challenge anxious thought patterns, Person-Centered therapy which provides a supportive environment to explore your concerns at your own pace, and Life Coaching which focuses on setting goals and developing practical strategies to manage stress.
- With Carl: Solution Focused Hypnotherapy combines relaxation techniques with a focus on positive goals rather than problems, helping calm your nervous system and develop new ways of responding to stressors.
Your treatment journey typically includes:
- Initial assessment to understand your specific anxiety patterns and stressors
- Education about how anxiety and stress affect the mind and body
- Learning and practicing relaxation and mindfulness techniques
- Identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns
- Gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations (when appropriate)
- Building resilience and developing personalized coping strategies
The goal isn't to eliminate all stress (which is unrealistic and not necessarily desirable), but to develop a healthier relationship with stress and anxiety so they no longer control your life. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can work at your own pace.
Your Path to Greater Calm
While everyone's journey is unique, therapy for anxiety and stress can help you achieve meaningful improvements across many areas of your life:
In the Short Term
- ✓Reduced physical symptoms of anxiety and stress
- ✓Improved sleep quality and relaxation ability
- ✓Development of effective coping techniques
- ✓Better understanding of personal triggers
In the Long Term
- ✓Increased resilience to life's challenges
- ✓Improved work performance and relationships
- ✓Reduction in avoidance behaviors
- ✓Greater overall sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction
With professional support and your commitment to practise new skills, you can transform your relationship with anxiety and stress. Rather than eliminating these natural human experiences, you'll develop the capacity to navigate them with greater ease and confidence.
Ready to Find Your Calm?
Take the first step toward managing anxiety and stress.