Anxiety can take over your life in subtle and overwhelming ways. Maybe your mind won’t switch off. Maybe you replay conversations, fear making mistakes, or feel tense for no clear reason. Perhaps your body carries anxiety, tight chest, racing heart, stomach pain, yet medical tests show nothing. You may look like you’re coping, but inside you feel stuck in a constant state of alert. Anxiety is not a weakness. It’s a response to something deeper, your mind and body trying to keep you safe.
What Anxiety Can Look Like
Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic attacks. It often appears as:
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Overthinking and constant worrying
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Fear of not being able to cope
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Difficulty making decisions
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Feeling on edge, restless, or overwhelmed
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Social anxiety or fear of judgment
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Health anxiety and body scanning
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Avoidance of uncertainty, conflict, or emotional vulnerability
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Trouble relaxing or sleeping
If you recognise yourself in these patterns, you’re not alone.
Where Anxiety Comes From
Anxiety doesn’t come from nowhere. It often develops from early emotional experiences or long-term stress patterns. For many people, it is linked to:
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Growing up with criticism, unpredictability or high expectations
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Having to be “the responsible one” too early in life
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Being taught to suppress emotions to avoid conflict
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Past trauma or emotionally unsafe environments
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Never feeling truly secure or supported
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t just a thinking problem, it’s a nervous system state. That’s why logic alone can’t switch it off. In therapy, we will:
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Understand your anxiety triggers and patterns
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Work with the body to calm the nervous system
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Reduce panic and overwhelm
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Strengthen emotional regulation
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Process unresolved emotional memories that keep anxiety active
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Build genuine confidence, not just coping strategies
If clinically appropriate, I may integrate EMDR therapy to help your brain safely process what it still perceives as a threat.
How Therapy Helps You Reclaim Your Life
Through our work together, you may:
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Feel calmer and less reactive
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Gain confidence in handling uncertainty
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Stop the spiral of overthinking
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Build inner safety and emotional resilience
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Reduce anxiety-driven behaviours like avoidance and reassurance seeking
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Experience more peace and mental clarity
Therapy is not about “getting rid” of anxiety overnight, it’s about giving you the emotional tools and deep healing needed to feel centred again.
Begin When You’re Ready
Anxiety doesn’t have to define your life. You can feel grounded, steady, and able to handle what comes your way, with the right support.
I offer a free 15-minute telephone chat so you can ask questions and get a feel for how I work.
— Dr Pauline Chiarizia
Online Therapy for Anxiety | EMDR & Trauma Specialist
Further Services
Sexual Health
Sexual health is a vital part of our overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked or difficult to talk about. If you’re experiencing concerns related to sexual health, whether physical or emotional, you’re not alone. I’m here to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where we can address any worries you might have and work together to promote a healthier, more confident connection to your body and sexuality.
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Relationships
Struggling with relationship challenges can feel isolating, whether it’s with a partner, family, or friends. Often, these issues stem from underlying attachment patterns. I understand how tough this can be, and you’re not alone. If you’re ready to make meaningful changes, we can do some relational work together to explore these patterns and create healthier, more fulfilling connections.
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Health Anxiety
Health anxiety can make you constantly worry about your well-being, even when there’s no immediate concern. I understand how exhausting this can be, and you’re not alone. If you’re ready to find relief and gain control over your worries, reach out to me. Together, we can work on addressing these fears and restoring your peace of mind.
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Panic attacks
Recurring panic attacks can disrupt your daily life and make you fear the next one. I understand how overwhelming this can feel, and you’re not alone. If you’re ready to take control and start healing, reach out to me for support. Together, we can work on overcoming these challenges and regaining your sense of peace.
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