You may be coming to counselling feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure why things feel the way they do. In therapy, this may show up in different ways for different people, and often develops over time through life experiences, stress, or difficult periods.

Stress can sometimes be a sign of Anxiety or past Trauma, affecting how your nervous system responds.

Stress can build when life feels full, pressured, or demanding for long periods. You might notice feeling constantly “on,” finding it harder to switch off, or feeling like you’re just getting through the day without much space to recover.

Even when things don’t feel overwhelming in a clear way, your system may still be carrying a lot. This can begin to affect sleep, concentration, mood, and your ability to relax or be fully present.

You may also find that your capacity to cope with stress feels more limited than that of others around you, or that you feel like you should be able to manage more easily. This can sometimes lead to self-criticism or confusion about your reactions. The way we experience stress is shaped by many things, including life experiences, ongoing pressures, and how our nervous system has learned to respond over time. There is also natural variation in the sensitivity or reactivity of each nervous system.

Stress is often the point where your body starts signalling that something needs attention before it develops into more persistent anxiety, low mood, or shutdown.

Working with the nervous system is a key part of my approach. At its core, this means creating a sense of safety in your body so your system can begin to settle and recognise the difference between past experiences and what’s happening now.

This is why we go at your pace — not mine. We work gently with what feels manageable, sitting with and listening to your experience moment by moment.