Online counselling
Counselling for anxiety and stress
Racing thoughts. A tight chest before the day has even begun. Worry that will not switch off at night. Anxiety and stress show up differently for everyone, and they are among the most common reasons people reach out for counselling.
Does this sound familiar?
- Worry that loops through the same thoughts, especially at night
- Feeling tense, restless or on edge for much of the day
- Trouble concentrating, sleeping, or switching off from work or studies
- Physical signs such as a racing heart, tight chest, headaches or an unsettled stomach
- Avoiding people, places or tasks because of how they make you feel
- Moments of panic that seem to arrive from nowhere
You don't need to tick every box, and you don't need a diagnosis to book. If stress or anxiety is taking up more room in your life than you'd like, that is reason enough.
How counselling can help
Understanding the pattern. Anxiety tends to follow a loop: a trigger, a rush of thoughts, a response in the body, and something we do to feel safer that keeps the loop going. Seeing the pattern clearly, in your own life, is often the first relief.
Practical tools. Grounding and breathing techniques for the sharp moments; ways of noticing and questioning the thoughts that fuel worry; small, chosen experiments with the situations you've been avoiding. Somesh draws on psychoeducation and behavioural approaches used in clinical settings, adapted to what fits your life.
Space to slow down. Sometimes the most useful thing is simply to say the worry out loud to someone who is listening without judgement, and to hear yourself think.
At your pace. Change tends to come in small steps. Sessions are collaborative: you set the pace, and nothing is pushed on you.
How sessions work
Sessions are held online on Google Meet, so you can join from wherever you feel at ease. A first consultation runs 45 minutes and is a chance to talk through what has been happening and what you'd like to be different. Follow-up sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly, and you and Somesh decide together what would help.
When you book, you'll be asked briefly what brings you here, along with your age and gender, so the first session starts well prepared. Everything you share is confidential.
Questions people often ask
Is my anxiety serious enough for counselling?
If it is affecting your sleep, work, relationships or how you feel day to day, it is worth talking about. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit, and earlier support is usually easier than later.
Will I have to talk about everything in the first session?
No. You share what you are comfortable sharing, at your own pace. The first session is mostly about getting to know each other and what you'd like to work on.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Some people find a handful of sessions enough to feel steadier; others prefer ongoing support over a few months. You can review this with Somesh at any point.
Can counselling replace medication?
Counselling is not a substitute for medical care. If you are taking medication, or think you might need to, keep working with your doctor or psychiatrist; counselling can sit alongside that. Somesh can help you think through whether a medical review would be useful.
What if I feel panicky during a session?
That's okay, and it happens. Somesh will slow things down and work through it with you, and a session can pause whenever you need it to.
Begin where you are
Worry is easier to carry when it's shared.
Book a first consultation, or call if you'd like to ask something first.