Anxiety Treatment

When It Feels Like You’re Barely Catching Up: Is Anxiety Running Your Life?

Do you feel like you are constantly racing against a clock that never stops? Does it seem like no matter how much you accomplish, the weight on your shoulders only grows heavier? Have you reached a point where "relaxing" feels more stressful than working because you can’t get your mind to be quiet?

You’ve been running on empty for longer than you’d like to admit. Your desktop is covered in digital sticky notes, your inbox never stops pinging, and that "to-do" list has become a permanent fixture of your identity. You tell yourself that rest is just around the corner: “Once this project is done, I’ll rest.” “Once I earn a bit more, I’ll take a break.” “Once things calm down, I’ll get my life back.”

But the reality you are facing is that things never really calm down. Instead, the bar just keeps moving further away.

The Silent Cost of High Performance

When you live in a state of constant "doing," your body begins to keep the score of the stress you are ignoring. You might notice a persistent tightness in your chest, a digestive system that feels constantly "off," or a heart that races for no apparent reason while you're simply sitting at your desk. This isn't just "being busy"—it is your nervous system stuck in a state of high alert.

I have noticed that people tend to view their energy, moods, and mental health like a fountain. You take for granted that the water will keep running indefinitely, providing you with endless competence, energy, and the ability to be present for others. But even the strongest fountains run dry if the source isn't replenished. When anxiety takes hold, that flow turns into a frantic spray, leaving you feeling wired yet exhausted, unable to switch off even when you are finally "off the clock."

When the Mind Won't Settle

Sleep often becomes the first casualty of this cycle. You lay in bed, physically drained, yet your mind is replaying decisions from three days ago or catastrophizing deadlines three weeks away. This mental "looping" is exhausting. It robs you of your ability to enjoy the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve. You may find yourself becoming more irritable with the people you love or feeling a sense of dread when you see a new notification on your phone.

The harder you push against these feelings, the further away peace seems to be. With the help of therapy, you can learn how to reconnect with yourself and feel like the person you used to be before the pressure took over.

You Are Not Alone in This Struggle

A Shared Modern Burden

If you feel like you are failing because you can't "just handle it," please know that you are not alone. Most people who seek support for anxiety face these exact same bumps in the road. In fact, anxiety is the most common mental health challenge globally. Recent data suggests that approximately 301 million people worldwide live with an anxiety disorder [1]. In the UK alone, over 8 million people are experiencing some form of anxiety at any given time [2].

When we look at high-pressure environments, these numbers often climb even higher. The symptoms you are experiencing—the restlessness, the inability to focus, the physical tension—are natural responses to an unnatural level of sustained pressure. Our brains were not designed to be "on" 24/7, yet our modern world demands exactly that.

Breaking the Stigma of the "High Achiever"

Many of my clients are surprised to find that their peers are struggling with the same secret fears. There is a common misconception that if you are successful, you shouldn't feel anxious. In reality, the traits that make you successful—your attention to detail, your drive, your ability to plan ahead—are often the very things that anxiety hijacks.

By normalizing these experiences, we take the power away from the shame you might be feeling. Whether your anxiety stems from a demanding career, family dynamics, or a long-standing habit of putting everyone else’s needs before your own, these are patterns that many others share. The good news, however, is that with the help of a compassionate, experienced therapist, you can get back to feeling fulfilled and satisfied in your life and your relationships.

Finding Your Way Back to Balance

A Systemic Path to Lasting Calm

I offer a safe and structured environment where you can explore the challenges that have left you feeling overwhelmed. My approach is rooted in Systemic Psychotherapy, which looks at you as a whole person within the context of your entire life. I don't see anxiety as a "glitch" in your brain or a personal flaw. Instead, I view it as a signal—a messenger—that arises within the networks you belong to: your work culture, your family history, and your primary relationships.

In our sessions, we won't just talk about "managing" your symptoms. While I do provide practical tools for immediate relief, I believe that true healing comes from understanding the why behind the worry. We will trace the patterns of your anxiety to see where they came from and how they may have actually served you in the past. Perhaps your anxiety was once a protective mechanism that helped you navigate a difficult childhood or a competitive school environment. By acknowledging its original purpose, we can gently shift it into something that no longer holds you hostage.

What to Expect in Our Sessions

When we work together, the focus is relational. This means we pay attention to what is happening both within you—your thoughts and bodily sensations—and around you—the way you interact with your world. I offer a collaborative space where each session is a balance between deep reflection and practical action.

1. Exploring the Landscape: We begin by mapping out your "anxiety system." Who is involved? What triggers the "fountain" to run dry? What are the unspoken rules you live by (e.g., "I must never make a mistake")?

2. Tracking the Patterns: I will help you notice the subtle physical cues that precede a spike in anxiety. We work on "listening" to the exhaustion beneath your determination.

3. Building New Skills: I teach specific strategies to help your nervous system move from a state of "threat" to a state of "safety." This includes boundary-setting, somatic (body-based) grounding, and cognitive reframing.

4. Relational Shifts: Since anxiety often impacts (and is impacted by) our relationships, we look at how to communicate your needs to partners, colleagues, or family members.

I offer this tailored approach because I know that one-size-fits-all "stress management" rarely works for people with complex, high-pressure lives. You need a strategy that respects your intelligence and your history.

Moving Toward a Life of Purpose, Not Pressure

The Explanation of my work is simple: I help you address the specific obstacles—like perfectionism or the fear of failure—that keep your anxiety alive. By looking at the "system" of your life, we find the leverage points where small shifts can lead to massive changes in your well-being. This is how we ensure that your sense of purpose remains intact, but the pressure is released.

With over a decade of experience in the field, I have seen time and again that when clients commit to this process, they don't just "feel better"—they lead their lives differently. They learn to rest without guilt and to work with clarity and steadiness. I have practiced for years, witnessing hundreds of clients transition from being "held hostage" by their thoughts to being the calm leaders of their own lives. I am confident that I can help you find that same steadiness.

Common Questions and Concerns

"I should be able to handle this on my own—is therapy a sign of weakness?"

This is perhaps the most common concern I hear. In our culture, we are often taught that asking for help is a failure of self-sufficiency. However, I invite you to look at it differently: seeking therapy is an act of high-level problem-solving. You wouldn't try to repair a complex piece of machinery without the right tools; your nervous system is no different. Therapy doesn’t take away your strength; it helps you use it more effectively so you don't burn out.

"Will therapy make me lose my 'edge' or my drive to succeed?"

Many high achievers worry that if they become "too calm," they will lose the fire that fuels their success. My goal is not to turn you into someone who doesn't care about their work or goals. Rather, I want to help you shift from anxiety-driven productivity to purpose-driven productivity. When you aren't wasting 50% of your energy on worrying, you actually become more creative, more decisive, and more effective. You keep your edge; you just lose the unnecessary friction.

"I’m already so busy—how can I find the time for this?"

I understand that time is your most precious resource. This is exactly why we focus on efficiency and practical shifts from day one. I view our sessions as an investment that actually saves you time in the long run. Think of the hours currently lost to procrastination, overthinking, or physical fatigue. By dedicating an hour a week to your mental health, you gain back the mental clarity needed to handle your responsibilities in half the time.

Taking the First Step Toward Peace

You’ve spent years caring for your responsibilities, your team, and your family—often at the expense of your own well-being. You have been the fountain for everyone else, but now it is time to turn some of that care inward.

If you’re ready to understand your anxiety rather than simply trying to "white-knuckle" your way through it, I invite you to start here. You don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. In fact, the most courageous thing you can do today is acknowledge that you deserve a life that feels manageable.

Let’s Connect and Explore a Steadier Path Forward

I offer a free, 20-minute discovery call for all new clients. This is a low-pressure way for us to meet, for you to share a bit about what you’re facing, and for us to see if my systemic approach feels like the right fit for you. There is no obligation to book—just a chance to be heard.

Click the button below to schedule your call. Let’s take the first step toward a version of your life where rest is not a reward you have to earn, but a right you finally reclaim.