Can counselling help with anxiety?
For many people, yes. Counselling gives you regular, private time with a trained person who listens without judging, helps you make sense of what sets the anxiety off, and works with you on ways of coping that suit your life. It is not a quick switch and it does not suit everyone, and it is worth seeing your GP as well if the anxiety is severe or getting in the way of daily life.
What counselling for anxiety involves
Counselling is a conversation, led at your pace. Your counsellor asks about when the anxiety shows up, what it feels like in your body and your thoughts, and what is going on in your life around it. Over time you start to spot patterns, such as situations you avoid or worries that loop round at night, and you talk through new ways of responding. You decide what to bring, and nothing is rushed.
What a first session is like
- Getting to know each other. Your counsellor explains how they work, including confidentiality and its limits.
- Your story. You say what brought you, and what you would like to be different.
- Agreeing a way forward. You talk about how often to meet and whether it feels like a good fit.
It is fine to feel nervous. Many people say it is a relief to say it all out loud.
Try something tonight
While you wait for a first appointment, a short guided recording on calm or worry can give you something steadying to try tonight.
Relaxation recordings are not medical treatment. Please only listen somewhere safe where you can relax, never while driving.
Or see someone: find counsellors near you
180 counsellors in the Practitioner directory, each with a phone number. Pick your town:
Or by what you would like help with: anxiety · Also: hypnotherapists · Also: coaches
Different styles of counselling
Counsellors train in different approaches. Some are practical and focus on thoughts and habits, some are person-centred and give you space to explore, and some look more at past experiences. Many blend a few. Ask which approach they use and how it might help with anxiety. Feeling safe and understood with the person matters a great deal.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Many people have around six to twelve weekly sessions, some feel they have what they need sooner, and some prefer open-ended counselling for longer. Your counsellor should talk about this with you and review how it is going from time to time.
Roughly what does it cost?
Private counselling in the UK commonly costs from £45 a session, and often more in big cities. Some counsellors offer lower-cost places or a sliding scale, and many offer a short first chat. Check the length of a session and the cancellation terms before you book.
Where it fits alongside NHS care
For anxiety the NHS usually offers self-help, talking therapies and sometimes medication. Many people use private counselling while they wait for NHS support, or alongside it, and tell their GP they are doing so. Please don't stop or change any medication or treatment because of counselling. NHS talking therapies can often be accessed by referring yourself, so it is worth asking your GP or searching for your local service.
When to see your GP first
Please speak to your GP if your anxiety is severe, if it stops you working, sleeping or leaving the house, if you have panic attacks with chest pain or breathlessness that haven't been checked, or if you are using alcohol or other substances to cope. If chest pain is severe, comes on suddenly or does not ease, call 999 straight away. A good counsellor will ask about this and will tell you if another route is better first.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that haven't been checked, or you are under medical care, please talk to your GP as well.
More questions
Is counselling the same as CBT?
Not exactly. CBT is one specific approach, and some counsellors are trained in it. Counselling is a wider word for talking therapy, so ask your counsellor what they offer.
Do I have to talk about my childhood?
No. You choose what to share. Some counsellors focus on what is happening now, and others explore the past if you want to.
Is what I say kept private?
Yes, in almost all cases. Your counsellor will explain at the start the rare situations where they may need to share something, such as a serious risk to someone's safety.
Can I have counselling online or by phone?
Yes. Many people find video or phone sessions easier to fit in and more comfortable when anxiety makes going out hard.
What if I don't click with my counsellor?
That is quite common and nothing to apologise for. Tell them, or try someone else. A good fit makes a real difference.