WELCOME TO THE BLOG
This is where I share practical tips, honest reflections, and valuable insights on anxiety, burnout, boundaries, and everything in between. Whether you’re here for tools you can use right now, reassurance that you’re not alone, or to get an idea of how working with me might feel, welcome!
I’m Anna, a psychotherapist who believes that managing your mental health shouldn’t feel overwhelming or out of reach. Let’s make sense of the messy stuff, one blog post at a time.
GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST COUNSELLING SESSION
WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR FIRST COUNSELLING SESSION Are you feeling anxious about your first anxiety therapy session? Normal! I remember my first therapy session, and I felt daunted without having a clue what to expect. So here is a guide on what happens with some tips...
Driving Anxiety & Menopause: Why It Happens & How to Find Support
You're on the motorway, the traffic slows, and suddenly, the car feels like it's shrinking. You can't just step out. Your heart races, and for a split second, you think, 'I'm losing my ability to drive.' If this sounds like you, please know this: you are not losing...
How to Drop Anchor in 5 Minutes: An Easy Guide for Stopping an Anxiety Spiral
You know that moment when anxiety hits? Your chest tightens, your thoughts start racing, and the world suddenly feels like it's speeding up? It's not just a "stressful day"; it feels like being dragged out to sea. And no matter how hard you swim to get back to shore,...
Why Does My Heart Feel Like It’s Racing? Understanding Interoception and Anxiety
Have you ever had a sudden rush of anxiety - one minute you were watching TV then suddenly a feeling of doom and racing heart? Next thing is your mind latches on with thoughts like "am I unwell, it's a panic attack, my...
Social Anxiety vs. Loneliness: How Social Anxiety Counselling Helps You Find Your People Again
I remember being invited to a friend's birthday party a few years ago. There were a few people there I didn't know well and probably others I had never met. I procrastinated getting ready for ages and then when I eventually had to leave I felt sick with anxiety. ...
How CBT for Anxiety Supports Women Through the Menopause Transition
If you’ve ever felt like your brain has been hijacked, or like you’re suddenly "losing your grip" on life, I want you to take a deep breath. You aren't going "crazy," and you certainly aren't alone. What you’re likely experiencing is the intense intersection of...
What does trauma informed therapy mean?
A trauma-informed approach to therapy - what it looks like. "Trauma-informed " has become a buzzword lately. I see it everywhere, from yoga classes and coaching programs to apps. And while it’s positive that more people are becoming aware of the impact of trauma, I...
How to get the most from therapy: 5 tips from a therapist
Tips to get the most from therapy - Five tips from a therapist If you want therapy to make a real difference, it helps to know how to utilise the space effectively. As a therapist and someone who has been in your position as a client, I want to share some practical...
What stepping on lego can teach us about how to listen to loud feelings
How to make sense of big feelings and emotional overreactions Your emotions are powerful. They guide your decisions, shape your relationships, and alert you to danger. But what happens when your feelings get too loud? What if anxiety is screaming at you in the...
FIVE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN FIVE YEARS OF BEING An anxiety THERAPIST
Five things I have learned in five years of being aN ANXIETY therapist I had my first client in the middle of the COVID lockdown. Because of social distancing, I had to conduct the session over the phone rather than face-to-face, and I remember nervously picking up...
Mental health support on the Wirral (free and private options)
Where to Find Mental Health Support on the Wirral (Free and Private Options) If You're in Crisis: Urgent Mental Health Help on the Wirral If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and in crisis right now, immediate help is available: Mental...
HOW menopause affects mental health: understanding hormonal changes
How Hormones Affect Mental Health During Menopause and Perimenopause Menopause and perimenopause are natural transitions in a woman’s life, yet the hormonal shifts they bring can significantly impact mental health. From mood swings and anxiety to depression and brain...
Online Therapy vs. Face-to-Face Therapy: Which Is Better for You?
Online Therapy vs. Face-to-Face Therapy: Which is Right for You? A few years ago online therapy was quite rare but since the pandemic lots of online counselling platforms have opened up. Is online therapy as good as face-to-face though? What's the best option? Both...
WHY DOES ANXIETY MAKE ME FEEL SO UNWELL?
Why does anxiety make me feel so unwell? Anxiety isn’t just a mental battle; it can manifest physically, too. If you’ve ever experienced sudden chest tightness, dizziness, or stomach discomfort, seemingly without cause, it could be a sign of anxiety. Many people...
NOT SURE ABOUT THERAPY? READ THIS TO EASE YOUR MIND
Not sure about therapy? Read this to ease your mind.Deciding to come for therapy is a big step, and in my years as a psychotherapist, I have heard many worries from clients about coming for sessions. Here are a few common worries people share before coming for...
ACT Therapy: A Compassionate Approach to New Year’s Resolutions
Why Values Matter More Than Resolutions This New Year: An ACT Therapy Approach New Year, New You! I have seen this plastered all over social media, and while there's nothing wrong with making changes to improve your life or your health, I hate the idea that it...
CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR INTROVERTS AND SOCIAL ANXIETY
Surviving Christmas as an Introvert with Social Anxiety This is a blog post I wish I had available to me years ago. As an introvert who has also struggled with social anxiety, Christmas has often been stressful for me. Over the years, with my experience as a...
Your guide to a stress free Christmas: Coping with anxiety during the holiday season.
We’ve all seen the Hallmark movie version of Christmas: perfect decorations, happy families, and the magical sense that everything is just as it should be. But in reality, this ideal sets up an impossible expectation that can leave many of us feeling anxious and...
Self care basics: How to Improve your wellbeing daily
The importance of self care When you get on a plane and they do the emergency briefing, they say that you should put your own oxygen mask on before helping others with theirs. That’s because if you lose consciousness, you would be useless to help anyone else. In real...
OVERTHINKING – 4 TOP TIPS to break the cycle
What is Overthinking? Overthinking refers to the process of continuously analysing, dwelling on, or mulling over thoughts, decisions, or situations. It often involves excessive worry or contemplation that can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. Instead of taking...
IS IT ANXIETY OR SOMETHING ELSE? HIDDEN CAUSES YOU MIGHT MISS
Did you know there are hidden causes of anxiety? The problem is sometimes we don't realise this and the anxiety can take control without us realising. Does this sound familiar? You’ve had what should have been a relaxing weekend, and on Sunday evening, you settle...
A Compassionate Approach to New Year Well-being Goals
It's that time when people set goals for the year ahead - New Year! New Me! On the one hand, I encourage making positive changes to improve wellbeing. Still, "New Year, New Me" makes me cringe because I know most resolutions don't last, and the concept isn't great for...
I feel anxious but I don’t know why!
It’s really common to feel anxiety but not know why. Here are some tips to help you understand where it might be coming from and how to help yourself