Anxiety
Anxiety counselling for adults and young people
A calm, confidential space to understand what's driving your anxiety and build practical ways of managing it. Online or by telephone, anywhere in the UK.
At a glance
- Provider
- Ann Purves
- Professional status
- Registered Member MBACP, registration 00988953. Verify on the BACP Register.
- Approach
- Integrative, mostly person-centred, drawing on CBT-informed techniques
- Format
- Telephone or secure online video
- Fee
- £50 / 1 hour · £30 / 30 minutes
- Clients
- Adults and young people from age 5
- Coverage
- UK-wide, based in Newcastle upon Tyne
- First step
- Email ann@annpurves.com or call 07856 187641
What the NHS says about anxiety
The NHS describes anxiety as a feeling of unease that becomes a problem when it's frequent, hard to control, or affects daily life. Recommended approaches include talking therapies, self-help techniques, and, where anxiety is severe or persistent, seeing a GP, who can discuss options including medication. NHS Talking Therapies also offers free, self-referral talking therapy across England as an NHS route alongside private options like this one.
How Ann works with anxiety
Ann works integratively, drawing mainly on a person-centred approach that starts from what's actually happening for you, not a fixed programme. Anxiety often narrows attention onto everything that feels uncertain or out of reach, so a circle of control exercise can be a useful way in: sorting what's genuinely yours to act on from what isn't, on paper, rather than trying to hold it all at once in your head. Alongside that, CBT-informed techniques help with noticing the specific thoughts and loops that keep worry running once it's started.
The aim throughout is steadier ground at a pace that feels manageable, not a set structure you're pushed through.
Signs it might help to talk to someone
Worry that's hard to switch off, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, disturbed sleep, or physical symptoms like a racing heart or tight chest that show up around stress. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Many people reach out simply because anxiety has started to feel like more than they want to manage alone.
Common questions
Anxiety counselling, explained
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear that can range from mild to severe. Everyone feels anxious sometimes, but for some people it becomes frequent, hard to control, and starts to affect daily life: sleep, work, relationships and concentration. The NHS describes this more persistent pattern as generalised anxiety disorder, though anxiety can also show up around specific situations or triggers.
Can counselling help with anxiety?
Yes. Talking therapy is a recognised, NHS-supported approach to anxiety, alongside self-help strategies and, where appropriate, GP input. Counselling offers a confidential space to understand what's driving your anxiety and build practical strategies for managing it, at your own pace.
What techniques might be used for anxiety in a session?
Ann works integratively and mostly person-centred, drawing on techniques as they fit, including CBT-informed approaches such as noticing thought patterns, and practical tools like a "circle of control" exercise to separate what's within your influence from what isn't. The exact approach is shaped around what's useful for you, not a fixed programme.
Is anxiety counselling the same as CBT?
Not quite. Ann is an integrative, person-centred counsellor who draws on CBT techniques where they're helpful, rather than delivering a standalone structured CBT programme. If a structured course of CBT specifically is what you're looking for, NHS Talking Therapies (self-referral, free, England-wide) is worth knowing about as an alternative or complement.
When should I see a GP about anxiety instead of, or alongside, counselling?
See a GP if anxiety is severe, is affecting your physical health, if you're having panic attacks, or if you're finding it hard to manage everyday life. A GP can also discuss medication where appropriate. Counselling and GP support are not mutually exclusive, and many people do both.
Can I have anxiety counselling online or by phone across the UK?
Yes. Sessions are available UK-wide by secure online video or telephone. £50 for a 1-hour session, £30 for a 30-minute session.
Ready to talk it through?
Send me an email or give me a call and we'll find a time that works.