What I’ve learned about anxiety and how therapy can help

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to therapy, and it’s something I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on, both in my work as a therapist and in my own life. People often talk about anxiety as something to fix, manage, or get rid of, but my experience has taught me it’s usually more complicated than that.

Over time, I’ve learned a few things about anxiety that have shaped how I understand it, and how I work with it in therapy.

1. Anxiety exists for a reason

Anxiety is often misunderstood. It is an emotional and physical response designed to keep us safe, not a flaw or a sign that something is wrong with you. Even when it feels overwhelming, anxiety is often trying to protect us, even if it’s doing so in a way that no longer feels helpful.

2. Anxiety has changed, but our bodies haven’t

Back in the time of early humans, our fight or flight response ensured our survival and helped us to respond to immediate physical danger, such as an animal attack. The mind flooded the body with adrenaline to focus the mind and body so we could deal with an immediate threat, usually before our minds had even fully processed what was happening.

Today, this response is more likely to be triggered by things like work stress, financial worries, illness or social situations. The body responds as if there’s a clear threat, but these situations often don’t have a quick solution, leaving people stuck in a state of heightened alert.

3. Anxiety is often a symptom, not the whole story

Racing thoughts, constant worry, physical tension, sleep problems, or avoidance are all common experiences of anxiety. While these symptoms are distressing, they are often signs that something deeper is going on, such as unresolved traumatic experiences, emotional pain, or long-standing self-doubt.

4. Living with anxiety can quietly shrink your world

Over time, anxiety can make life feel smaller. People may stop doing things they once enjoyed, avoid certain situations, or feel worn down by constantly trying to keep their anxiety in check. This ongoing effort can affect mood, confidence, and relationships.

5. Anxiety is rarely just anxiety

Anxiety often comes with a harsh inner voice. Thoughts like 'I should be coping better' or 'why am I not stronger?' are common. This self-criticism can be just as painful as the anxiety itself, and often makes it harder to manage.

6. Fighting anxiety often increases it

Trying to push anxiety away or telling yourself you shouldn’t feel this way can sometimes make it louder. In my experience, anxiety tends to respond better to understanding than to force.

7. Being accepted reduces anxiety more than advice

Anxiety is an isolating thing, and many people find relief through feeling genuinely heard and accepted. When the pressure to explain, perform, or justify yourself eases, anxiety often softens too. Making use of social support, confiding in friends or a partner, can make the experience less isolating.

How therapy can help

What I’ve learned through my work as a therapist is that anxiety tends to respond better to understanding than to force. Therapy offers a space to explore anxiety rather than battle it. In person-centred therapy, the focus isn’t on quick fixes, but on understanding what sits beneath the anxiety and how it connects to your experiences, self-beliefs and relationships. For many people, exploring these deeper roots, while difficult in the short term, can bring a sense of relief in the long term.

Many clients say they need something to help relieve anxiety in the meantime, and I often recommend they develop a set of tools or techniques to bring relief during those difficult moments. There are lots of resources out there to help you develop your own set of tools. Mindfulness, breathing exercises, or simple acts of self-care, like listening to music or a podcast, can create some distance from spiralling thoughts. For me, mindfulness has helped me notice anxiety with more awareness and less self-criticism. One resource I often return to is psychologist Tara Brach, who offers free talks and guided meditations.

Anxiety is a struggle and I don't want to minimise it in any way. I know how awful it can feel and how it can take away the enjoyment of life. It takes commitment and honesty to even start to explore it in this way, whether through therapy, mindfulness or both. I believe a deeper understanding can change how anxiety is experienced and relieve some of the hold it has on your life and wellbeing.