Counselling for Anxiety, Self-Esteem & Relationships
When anxiety, self-doubt and relationships overlap
Anxiety rarely arrives alone. It often comes with overthinking, a harsh inner critic, and relationships where you give a lot and end up doing most of the emotional work.
You might be coping well on the outside while feeling on edge inside. Maybe you replay conversations for hours, say yes when you mean no, or find it hard to believe you’re good enough.
Counselling gives you space to look at how these fit together, instead of fighting each one separately.
Patterns that made sense once
Worry, panic, perfectionism, people-pleasing and low self-worth often began as ways of staying safe or earning approval.
They can stop working for you later, especially in close relationships, where they tend to repeat.
I often work with co-dependency present in adult children of emotionally immature parents, helping them recognise dysfunctional dynamics, set boundaries and rebuild self-worth.
How I work
My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. It’s relational and person-centred, with strong roots in the psychodynamic approach. I might also reach for practical tools from DBT, CBT and ACT, or encourage part work (Internal Family Systems, IFS) whenever these therapeutic styles feel beneficial.
I believe that anxiety and depression are often symptoms of something sitting deeper, rather than problems in themselves. In counselling, we work towards understanding what that might be, what keeps them going, and what would make daily life feel better. You set the pace, and we don’t have to work through everything at once.
You can read more about my approach to therapy on the About my practice page.
In-person and online therapy sessions
I see adults dealing with anxiety, self-esteem and relationship issues in person in Brighton and Hove, or online anywhere in the UK and beyond.
I invite you to start with a free 15-minute consultation, so we can talk through what's brought you here and see what it feels like working with each other.
Common Questions about Therapy for Anxiety, Self-Esteem and Relationship Issues
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It’s confidential conversations where we explore what triggers your anxiety, how it shows up in your thoughts and body, and what keeps it going. We may also look at practical ways to ease it. You don’t need to arrive with a clear picture, because we work it out together.
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If it’s affecting your sleep, work, relationships or how you feel day to day, that’s enough. You don’t need to be in crisis. If you’re also worried about physical symptoms, such as chest pain or a racing heart, it’s worth checking with your GP as well.
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Overthinking is often an attempt to feel safe, by predicting what could go wrong or working out what others think of you. It tends to show up more when you’re tired, stressed or unsure of your footing. Counselling can help you understand what it’s trying to protect you from and find other ways to settle.
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Yes, it’s very common. Anxiety can leave you worn out and low, and low mood can make everything feel more threatening. Both often point to something deeper, such as long-term stress, loss, or old patterns of criticism and self-doubt. Counselling can help you understand what’s underneath, so you’re not just managing each one separately.
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Yes. Low self-esteem usually has a history, such as criticism, neglect, bullying or years of putting yourself last. Counselling helps you see where your inner critic came from, challenge what it says, and build a steadier sense of your own worth.
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People-pleasing means putting others’ needs, opinions, moods and well-being ahead of your own, often to avoid conflict or rejection. It’s hard to stop because it used to work once, and saying no can feel risky. In counselling, we look at what it’s protecting you from and practise setting boundaries at a pace that feels manageable.
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Yes. You can’t change another person, but you can understand your own patterns, communicate more clearly and decide what you will and won’t accept. Many people find that changes in how they relate also shift the relationship.
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Emotionally immature parents struggle to offer consistent empathy, respect your feelings or take responsibility for their own. As an adult, you might notice people-pleasing, guilt when you set boundaries, or a sense that your needs are too much. Counselling can help you recognise these dynamics, set boundaries and rebuild your self-worth.
