In today's fast-paced world, anxiety is a common mental health issue that affects many people: from children and young people at the start of their lives, to accomplished adults at the peak of their careers, or older people nearing retirement age and older. Counsellors and psychotherapists play a crucial role in helping people navigate their anxiety and reclaim their lives. Misconceptions and a lack of understanding about the counselling process can often hinder those seeking help. Here, we delve into the intricacies of how counsellors can provide support.
A Tapestry of Physical, Emotional and Cognitive Threads
Manifesting in myriad forms, anxiety weaves together an array of physical, emotional, and cognitive strands, each contributing to an overall sense of unease.
The physical symptoms of anxiety can often mimic those of a medical condition, leading many to seek help from their GP. These symptoms can include an accelerated heart rate, excessive perspiration, trembling, a sense of breathlessness, discomfort in the chest, stomach upset, and feelings of unsteadiness or faintness. Some may also experience hot flushes or chills.
On the emotional front, feelings of nervousness or tension dominate. People may be gripped by a sense of imminent danger, a shadow that looms over even the most mundane activities. Irritability may increase, and a restless, on-edge feeling often pervades daily life.
Cognitively, anxiety can hijack the mind, commandeering thoughts and concentration. The mind may struggle to focus, becoming ensnared in a persistent web of worries. Catastrophic thinking, a kind of mental 'worst-case scenario' plotting, is common. Additionally, disproportionate fears or concerns about particular objects, circumstances, or situations can surface.
In severe instances, these symptoms can coalesce into a panic attack: a profoundly overwhelming and distressing experience.
An Innate Part of the Human Experience
Far from being merely a clinical term or a disorder, anxiety is an inherent part of the human experience, deeply woven into our evolutionary fabric.
At its core, anxiety is a natural response to perceived threats or danger. It's our body's way of saying, 'be alert, be careful.' It triggers our 'fight or flight' response, gearing us up to respond to potential hazards. A quickened heartbeat, heightened senses, a rush of adrenaline - these are all hallmarks of this primitive survival mechanism.
Anxiety, in moderation, can be a valuable ally. It can sharpen our focus when we're preparing for an important meeting, enhance our performance during a critical exam, or spur us into action when we sense danger. In this context, anxiety is not a villain, but a motivator and protector.
However, like any emotion, when anxiety becomes chronic or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can morph from a helpful response into a disruptive force. We must remember, however, that the experience of anxiety is a universal one, a thread that binds us all in our shared human experience. The key lies not in eliminating anxiety, but in understanding and managing it.
Counselling for Anxiety
If you’re standing on the precipice of seeking help from a counsellor or psychotherapist, but not sure if you’re ready to take that leap, something that might help is understanding how they can help you with any anxiety that you’re experiencing. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and counsellors and psychotherapists can and perhaps will offer a variety of therapeutic techniques to help you.
Many people will have encountered the term Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a stalwart in the NHS Talking Therapies psychological toolkit, which helps clients to identify and reframe negative thought patterns.
There are, however, a variety of different approaches that practitioners may offer to you, such as exposure therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. These therapeutic strategies, each in their own way, can help navigate and manage anxiety.
The person-centred approach to anxiety, for example, is somewhat different. Rather than classifying anxiety as a disorder to be 'cured', it recognises anxiety as a natural landmark in the human emotional landscape: something that can be explored, understood, and managed.
Person-centred counselling is underpinned by a transformative philosophy: every human being inherently possesses the ability to understand themselves and cultivate their own growth. It acknowledges that anxiety, though a universal phenomenon, interweaves with each person's life in uniquely personal patterns.
In the sanctuary of the counselling room, your unique narrative with anxiety is what’s important. The counsellor, far from being an 'expert' issuing diagnoses, becomes a facilitator for your exploration, fostering a journey of understanding and personal discovery. They cultivate an empathetic, non-judgmental haven where you can delve into your experiences with anxiety, unearthing personal insights and forging strategies that align with your unique life journey.
This beautifully collaborative process is grown around three core principles: empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Empathy allows the counsellor to delve into the depths of your experience; unconditional positive regard provides a supportive stage where you feel valued and accepted, irrespective of your shared experiences, and congruence ensures the counsellor's responses are genuine and attuned.
Counselling becomes beacon of empowerment, helping you build resilience and develop personalised coping strategies. It nurtures a sense of self-compassion and acceptance, enabling you to perceive your anxietynot as a crippling disorder, but as an experience that you can understand and manage.
A crucial aspect of counselling is its ability to catalyse a shift in perspective. Instead of viewing anxiety as a monstrous enemy to be vanquished, you're encouraged to see it as a signal, a part of your emotional symphony that can be listened to, comprehended, and guided.
The yardstick of progress in person-centred counselling isn't merely the reduction of anxiety symptoms. It's about helping you to find your own profound understanding of your anxiety, guiding you to nurture self-compassion, and empowering you to steer your own course. It's about learning to embrace life in all its fullness, with anxiety as a fellow traveller, rather than a tyrant directing the route.
Stepping into the Counselling Room
Walking into the counselling room for the first time can feel like a daunting journey into the unknown, especially when you're grappling with anxiety. However, understanding what to expect can help demystify the process, making it a little less intimidating.
Counselling is, at its heart, a conversation. But it's a conversation with a purpose: to help you understand and navigate your experience of anxiety. When you first meet with a counsellor, they will likely spend time getting to know you, your history, and the unique ways anxiety impacts your life. There's no pressure to divulge everything in the first session, or indeed any session; the pace is guided by your comfort level.
One of the guiding principles of counselling is the creation of a safe, non-judgmental space. The counselling room is a sanctuary where you can share your fears and anxieties without fear of criticism or rejection. Your counsellor will listen with empathy, seeking to understand your experience rather than judge it. They won't dismiss your feelings as 'overreactions' or 'irrational'; instead, they will validate your experiences and work with you to understand them better.
Counsellors will not treat you as a diagnosis or a set of symptoms to be 'fixed'. Instead, you are seen as a whole person, with your own unique experience of anxiety. The counsellor is there to facilitate your journey of understanding and managing your anxiety, equipping you with strategies that resonate with your unique circumstances.
Remember that progress in counselling is not linear, nor is it solely defined by the absence of anxiety. It's about understanding your anxiety, developing strategies to navigate it, and fostering self-compassion. It's about learning to live fully, even with anxiety as a part of your life.
Unravelling Anxiety
Embarking on the counselling journey can feel like standing at the edge of an unfamiliar terrain. You may wonder: am I ready for this? Will it work for me? Rest assured, these concerns are common and entirely normal. To help navigate this journey, we've outlined a few pointers on how to make the most of counselling for anxiety, and how to gauge if it's working for you.
The first question you might ask yourself is, how do you know if you're ready for counselling? Keep in mind that you don't need to reach a 'crisis point' before seeking help. If anxiety is causing you distress or hindering your daily life in any way – whether it's affecting your work, relationships, or overall wellbeing – it might be time to consider counselling. Recognising the need for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. It's about proactive self-care, not a last resort.
Once you've decided to get in touch with a counsellor or psychotherapist, being open and honest during your sessions can significantly enhance your experience. It's completely natural to feel hesitant, but do remember that you're in a safe, non-judgmental space. Your counsellor is there to support you, not to judge you. The more they understand your experiences and feelings, the better they can assist you.
Counselling is a collaborative process, and your input is vital. Engage in the conversation, ask questions, and try out the strategies or exercises that your counsellor suggests. Remember, you are not a passive recipient of "treatment" – you are an active participant in your journey towards managing anxiety.
Outside of sessions, try to make time for self-reflection. Journalling, for instance, can help consolidate your thoughts and gives you a way of looking back to see how far you've come. Putting into practice the strategies discussed in your counselling sessions into your daily life is also really important. You may create the road map with your counsellor during your counselling sessions, but the journey happens in the real world.
But how do you know if counselling is working for you? Signs of progress can vary, but they often include a better understanding of your anxiety, enhanced and healthy coping strategies, and a general improvement in your day-to-day living and wellbeing. It's essential, however, to remember that progress is not always linear. There may be ups and downs, but that does not negate the strides you've made.
Don't hesitate to voice any concerns or uncertainties about your counselling experience with your therapist. A good counsellor will welcome feedback and adapt their approach to better suit your needs.
In the end, making the most of counselling for anxiety is about openness, participation, and patience. With these in hand, counselling can provide a vital space for understanding, navigating, and managing anxiety, paving the way towards improved mental and emotional wellbeing.
