COUNSELLING IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE

Support for Anxiety – A Space to Explore, Understand, and Breathe

Anxiety can feel all-encompassing. It’s not just a passing worry or a bit of stress – it can take over your thoughts, affect how you experience the world, and even make ordinary tasks feel overwhelming. If you’re finding anxiety is getting in the way of your life, humanistic counselling offers a space where you can explore what’s going on for you, at your own pace, with someone who’s really listening.

I offer counselling for anxiety from my practice in Brighton, and I also work with people online, so wherever you are, support is available.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety can show up in so many different ways. Sometimes it’s loud and impossible to ignore, other times it’s a quieter hum – a background sense that something isn’t quite right, even if you can’t put your finger on why.

For some, it’s a mind that won’t switch off, running through endless ‘what if’ scenarios and worst-case outcomes. For others, it’s a constant sense of unease, a feeling of dread that’s hard to explain or shake off. Anxiety can also show up physically – a tightness in your chest, shallow breathing, headaches, digestive issues, or a constant restlessness in your body. Sleep can become difficult, either struggling to fall asleep or waking in the night with your thoughts already racing. You might find yourself avoiding situations that feel overwhelming or unpredictable, or you might notice a growing sense of disconnect – from yourself, from the people around you, or from life itself.

If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone – and you don’t have to work through it alone either.

How Humanistic Counselling Can Help with Anxiety

As a humanistic counsellor based in Brighton, I don’t work with set techniques or quick-fix solutions. Counselling isn’t about following a formula – it’s a collaborative process, a space where we can explore what’s happening for you, without judgement or pressure, and always at a pace that feels right for you.

Anxiety can sometimes feel like it’s just part of who you are, something you have to live with. But together, we can gently look beneath the surface – at the experiences, thoughts, and feelings that might be feeding into your anxiety. When you start to understand what’s really going on, there’s often more room to respond in new ways, rather than feeling stuck in the same cycle of reaction.

Through counselling, we can explore what tends to spark those anxious feelings and how you relate to them when they arise. Sometimes we discover old patterns playing out – ways of coping or thinking that once felt necessary, but may no longer be helpful. Learning to notice those patterns, and beginning to work with your feelings instead of fighting them, can make a real difference.

Along the way, we can also work on reconnecting with your own sense of agency – the part of you that can choose, respond, and take action, even when anxiety feels overwhelming. That sense of grounding, of coming back to yourself, is something we can explore together.

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to work with anxiety, and humanistic counselling makes space for that. Whether you want to better manage specific symptoms, understand yourself at a deeper level, or simply have a space where you don’t have to pretend you’re okay, we’ll find a way forward that fits you.

In-Person Counselling in Brighton & Online Sessions

I offer face-to-face counselling for anxiety from my practice in Brighton, as well as online counselling for anxiety, so you can choose the option that suits you best. Online sessions can work particularly well if you’re more comfortable at home, or if you’re further afield but still drawn to working with someone with a humanistic approach.

Wherever you are, the invitation is the same – a space to be yourself, without judgement, where we can explore together what’s going on for you.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’re struggling with anxiety and want to talk, I’m here to listen. You don’t need to have everything figured out or even know where to start – just showing up is enough. Whether you’re in Brighton, elsewhere in the UK, or even further afield, you’re welcome to get in touch to book an initial session or find out more about how counselling could help.