Anxiety and Phobias

What is an anxiety disorder? Simply put, feelings of fear, panic and nervousness characterise anxiety. Most people experience these emotions every now and then. But when these feelings become so persistent and/or terrifying that they interfere with your daily life and/or cause you to avoid certain situations or things, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.

The different types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic attacks. Phobias also form part of this category.

Treatment options for anxiety are numerous. Some clients opt for medication from a psychiatrist along with counselling, and others prefer just the counselling. It is important to me as a counsellor that my clients know that I respect their choices and will support them either way.

Initially, we will work on implementing practical strategies to manage and/or reduce the anxiety in a safe setting. In some cases, anxiety may be a genetic trait. In others, it stems from a specific event or time in one’s life. In this instance, we will also work to identify that trigger and explore it gently to gain an understanding of the origin of the anxiety.