Finding Relief: A Comprehensive Guide to Anxiety Therapy
Finding Relief: A Comprehensive Guide to Anxiety Therapy
Many people who seem to have it all together on the outside are actually dealing with a lot of worry and stress inside. It's tough when your career is going well, but you still feel that knot in your stomach or that constant self-doubt. This guide is all about exploring how therapy, especially a deeper kind of therapy, can help you get to the bottom of what's causing that anxiety and find some real relief. I'm Dr. Ann Krajewski, a psychologist specializing in psychoanalytic therapy in Arlington, VA, and I work with high-achieving professionals who are ready to move beyond surface-level solutions. We'll look at why just managing symptoms isn't always enough and how understanding the deeper parts of yourself can lead to lasting peace.
Key Takeaways
Anxiety disorders are more than just occasional worry; they can significantly impact daily life, often affecting high achievers in unique ways like perfectionism and self-criticism.
Depth-oriented anxiety therapy goes beyond managing symptoms to explore underlying causes, identifying defense mechanisms and unconscious patterns that contribute to distress.
Psychoanalytic therapy uses methods like free association and dream analysis to understand recurring patterns and the role of relationships in shaping anxiety.
The therapeutic relationship itself is a vital tool, creating a safe space built on trust and authenticity for genuine healing and personal growth.
Transforming anxiety involves learning to respond differently to triggers, aligning actions with your true self, and experiencing greater freedom in relationships for lasting well-being.
Understanding Anxiety Beyond the Surface
Anxiety is more than just feeling a bit worried now and then. For many people, especially those who seem to have it all together on the outside, anxiety can be a constant, internal battle. You might be crushing it at work, hitting all your goals, and generally appearing successful, but inside, there's a persistent hum of unease or outright fear. This disconnect between outward achievement and inner turmoil is something many high achievers grapple with. It's like having a perfectly polished car that's running on fumes. You can keep it going for a while, but eventually, the underlying issues will surface.
Anxiety Disorders and Their Impact
Anxiety disorders aren't just about being stressed. They involve persistent, excessive worry that can really get in the way of daily life. Think about it: if you're constantly worried about making a mistake at work, or if you dread social situations because you're afraid of saying the wrong thing, that's not just a bad day. It's a pattern that can affect your relationships, your job performance, and your overall sense of well-being. It can show up as physical symptoms too, like trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, or that constant knot in your stomach. It's a real struggle that impacts millions.
The Disconnect Between External Success and Internal Struggle
This is a big one for many professionals. You've worked hard to build a successful career, maybe you have a great reputation, but you still feel like you're not quite good enough. That inner critic can be relentless, pointing out every tiny flaw or potential failure. It's like you're constantly performing, trying to prove your worth, even when you've already achieved so much. This internal battle can be exhausting and lead to burnout, even when everything on the outside looks fine. It’s a common experience that depth-oriented therapy can help address.
Recognizing Anxiety in High Achievers
High achievers often mask their anxiety in specific ways. Instead of outright panic, you might see:
Perfectionism: An intense need to do everything flawlessly, with a fear of making any mistakes.
People-Pleasing: Going out of your way to make others happy, often at the expense of your own needs and well-being.
Constant Self-Criticism: A harsh inner voice that focuses on perceived shortcomings and failures.
Overthinking: Getting stuck in loops of worry and
The Depth Approach to Treating Anxiety
When anxiety feels like it's running the show, it's easy to just want the symptoms to stop. Many treatments focus on managing those immediate feelings – like teaching you to breathe through a panic attack or challenging anxious thoughts. And sure, those things can help in the moment. But often, for people who feel anxious a lot, these surface-level fixes don't really change anything long-term. It's like putting a band-aid on a deeper wound; it covers it up, but the real issue is still there, unaddressed.
My approach is different. Instead of just managing the 'what' of your anxiety, we look at the 'why.' This means we explore the deeper, often unconscious patterns that keep you stuck. Think about it: maybe your fear of not being good enough comes from early experiences where love felt tied to performance. Or perhaps you tend to please others as a way to avoid conflict, a pattern that started long ago but still affects you now. These kinds of patterns aren't easily changed with quick fixes because they're rooted in how your mind developed. They continue to operate without you even realizing it, impacting your daily life and relationships.
This deeper exploration helps us understand:
The underlying causes of your anxiety symptoms: We go beyond just the worry itself to see where it might be coming from.
Your personal defense mechanisms: We all have ways of protecting ourselves from difficult feelings. Sometimes, these defenses, while once helpful, can actually maintain anxiety and limit our growth. Identifying them is key to finding new ways to cope.
How past experiences shape present feelings: Many of our current reactions are linked to earlier life events. Understanding these connections can shed light on why certain situations trigger anxiety and how these reactions first developed.
This kind of work is about more than just feeling less anxious; it's about understanding yourself on a more profound level. It's about uncovering the roots of your struggles to create lasting change, rather than just managing the symptoms. This is the heart of depth-oriented therapy.
The Process of Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychoanalytic therapy is a way to understand yourself more deeply. It's not about quick fixes or just learning new coping skills. Instead, we look at the deeper reasons why you feel anxious or stuck. Think of it like peeling back layers to get to the core of things. This approach helps you understand the patterns that have developed over time, often from early life experiences, and how they continue to affect you now. It's a process that requires patience and a willingness to explore your inner world.
Free Association and Dream Analysis
In our sessions, you'll hear a lot about "free association." This means you say whatever comes to mind, without censoring yourself. It might seem random, but often these thoughts, feelings, or images are connected to what's really going on beneath the surface. We also pay attention to dreams. Dreams can be like a secret language of the unconscious, offering clues about your hidden worries and desires. By exploring these, we can start to see how they relate to your waking life and your anxiety. It's a bit like piecing together a puzzle, and understanding these connections can be quite revealing.
Exploring Recurring Patterns
We all have patterns in how we think, feel, and interact with others. These patterns often develop early on as ways to cope with difficult situations. While they might have been helpful back then, they can become problematic later in life, contributing to anxiety and other issues. In psychoanalytic therapy, we identify these recurring themes. This could be a pattern of people-pleasing, a tendency to be overly self-critical, or difficulty setting boundaries. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward changing them. We'll look at where these patterns might have originated and how they show up in your current life.
Understanding Transference in Therapy
Transference is a key concept in psychoanalytic therapy. It refers to the way you might unconsciously transfer feelings and expectations from important relationships in your past onto your therapist. For example, you might feel a sense of frustration with me that mirrors a feeling you had with a parent, or you might feel a strong need for approval. This isn't a sign of a bad therapeutic relationship; quite the opposite. It's a valuable opportunity to understand how you relate to others. By exploring these feelings within the safety of our sessions, you can gain insight into how these patterns affect your relationships outside of therapy and begin to change them.
Depth Psychology and Anxiety
Depth psychology looks at what's going on beneath the surface of our everyday thoughts and feelings. It suggests that a lot of what makes us anxious isn't just about what's happening right now, but also about older, less obvious patterns in our minds. Think of it like an iceberg; we only see the tip, but the real bulk of it is hidden underwater.
Understanding the Deeper Psyche
This approach believes that our minds are much more complex than we realize. It's not just about conscious thoughts, but also about the unconscious parts of ourselves. These hidden parts can hold onto old feelings, memories, and beliefs that we might not even know are there. When these unconscious elements are stirred up, they can show up as anxiety. It's like having old software running in the background that keeps causing glitches.
Symbolic Expression of Anxiety
Anxiety doesn't always show up as a clear, direct feeling. Sometimes, it comes out in symbolic ways. This could be through dreams, recurring thoughts that don't make much sense, or even physical symptoms that don't have a clear medical cause. Depth psychology helps us look at these symbols and understand what they might be trying to tell us about what's really bothering us. It's about learning to read the hidden language of our own minds.
Archetypal Patterns and Their Influence
Depth psychology also talks about archetypes, which are like universal human experiences or patterns that show up across different cultures and times. For example, the idea of a 'hero's journey' or a 'nurturing mother' are archetypes. Sometimes, our anxiety can be connected to these larger, more general human themes. Understanding how these archetypal patterns might be influencing our personal struggles can give us a new perspective on why we feel the way we do. It helps us see that our individual anxieties might be part of a bigger human story.
Beyond Surface-Level Solutions
Lots of anxiety treatments focus on just making the bad feelings go away. They teach you breathing exercises or ways to reframe your thoughts. And sure, those things can help for a little while. It’s like putting a bandage on a deep cut without cleaning it first. You get some immediate relief, but the real problem is still there, festering underneath.
My approach is different. Instead of just trying to manage the anxiety, we dig into what’s actually causing it to pop up in the first place. Think of it like this:
Investigating Triggers: We look at the specific situations, thoughts, or feelings that set off your anxiety. It’s not just about knowing that something triggers you, but understanding why it has such a strong effect.
Uncovering Deeper Issues: Often, these triggers are connected to older, unresolved stuff from your past. Maybe a fear of not being good enough comes from childhood experiences, or a need to please everyone started as a way to keep the peace at home. These patterns are usually running in the background, outside of your conscious awareness.
Addressing Root Causes: Simply managing symptoms doesn't change these underlying patterns. We need to explore those deeper psychological issues that are keeping you stuck. It’s about understanding the 'why' behind your anxiety, not just the 'what' you're feeling right now. This is how you start to make real, lasting changes, rather than just putting out fires.
This kind of work can feel a bit more involved, but it’s where the most significant and lasting relief comes from. It’s about building a more solid foundation for your mental well-being, not just patching up the cracks. If you're tired of just coping and ready to truly heal, exploring these deeper layers is the way to go. It’s a more involved process than just learning a few coping skills, but the payoff is immense.
The Power of the Therapeutic Relationship
When you're working through anxiety, the connection you build with your therapist is a really big deal. It's not just about having someone to listen; it's about creating a special kind of space where the stuff that's usually hidden away can actually come out and be looked at. Think of it like a safe harbor where you can start to see those old patterns that keep popping up in your life.
Building a Foundation of Trust
This relationship is where the real work happens. It's built on trust, and that takes time. You need to feel like you can actually say what's on your mind, even the messy or embarrassing stuff, without getting judged. This is especially important if you're someone who usually keeps things bottled up or always feels like you have to be strong.
Consistency: Showing up regularly helps build a sense of reliability.
Honesty: Being open about your feelings, even when it's hard.
Respect: Feeling heard and understood by your therapist.
Creating a Safe Space for Exploration
Because you feel safe, parts of yourself that you might have learned to hide or push down can start to show up. Sometimes, you might even find yourself reacting to your therapist in ways that remind you of people in your life outside of therapy. This isn't a bad thing; it's actually super useful. It gives you a chance to see how you relate to others and how those patterns might be feeding your anxiety. It's like getting a real-time look at your own behavior, which is hard to do on your own. This kind of insight is what leads to real change, not just temporary fixes. It's a key part of depth-oriented therapy.
Authentic Healing Through Connection
When you have this solid connection with your therapist, it allows for genuine healing. You start to get a deeper sense of how your mind works, not just on an intellectual level, but in a way you can actually feel. This understanding is what helps you change those old patterns that have been causing you trouble. It's about connecting with yourself in a more real way, which is pretty amazing when you think about it. This is where you can start to feel more like yourself, without all the constant worry.
Transforming Anxiety Patterns for Lasting Change
Sometimes, you can do all the 'right' things, learn all the coping skills, and still feel like you're stuck in the same old anxiety loop. It's like having a car that keeps sputtering, and you keep topping up the gas, but you never actually look at the engine. That's where transforming anxiety patterns comes in. It's about looking deeper, understanding why those patterns exist in the first place, and then making real changes that stick.
Responding Differently to Triggers
When something sets off your anxiety, your first reaction might be to tense up, avoid it, or try to push the feeling away. That's a pretty normal response, honestly. But over time, it just reinforces the anxiety. The goal here is to start noticing those triggers and your automatic reactions without immediately getting swept away by them. It’s about creating a little space between the trigger and your response. This allows you to choose a different way to react, one that doesn't feed the anxiety cycle. It’s not about pretending the trigger isn’t there, but about changing how you engage with it. This takes practice, and it's something we work on together, exploring what those triggers really mean for you.
Aligning Choices with Your Authentic Self
So often, anxiety can push us to make choices based on fear. We might say yes when we want to say no, or pursue a path because it seems 'safe' even if it doesn't feel right deep down. This can lead to a feeling of being disconnected from who you really are. Transforming anxiety patterns means learning to listen to that inner voice, the one that knows what truly aligns with your values and desires. It’s about making decisions from a place of self-awareness, not just reacting to what scares you. This might mean making some tough calls, like setting boundaries or changing direction in your career or relationships, but the payoff is living a life that feels more genuine and less driven by worry. It’s about building a life that fits you, not one you’ve contorted yourself into to avoid discomfort. This is a key part of finding lasting relief from anxiety disorders.
Experiencing Greater Relational Freedom
Anxiety can really mess with our relationships. We might hold back, fear judgment, or people-please to avoid conflict. This can leave us feeling isolated, even when we're surrounded by people. When we start to transform our anxiety patterns, we also start to transform how we connect with others. This means being able to express our needs more clearly, be more vulnerable without falling apart, and engage in relationships without the constant fear of rejection or disappointment. It’s about building connections based on honesty and mutual respect, rather than on anxiety-driven dynamics. This kind of freedom in relationships is a huge part of feeling more settled and less anxious overall.
Specific Anxiety Concerns Addressed
Anxiety isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. For many people, especially those who are always striving for more, certain types of anxiety can really take hold. It's not just about feeling generally worried; it often shows up in specific ways that can be pretty disruptive.
Navigating Panic Disorder and Attacks
Panic disorder is something else entirely. It's marked by sudden, intense waves of fear, often called panic attacks. These can hit when there's no real danger around, and they bring on some pretty strong physical reactions. Think racing heart, shortness of breath, maybe even dizziness. For professionals who like to be in control, having a panic attack, especially at work, can be a huge source of anxiety itself. It's like your body is betraying you when you need it most. We look at what might be triggering these episodes and how to manage them without letting them run your life. It's about understanding the physical and emotional signals so you can respond differently.
Anxiety Related to Perfectionism
Perfectionism isn't a formal diagnosis, but it sure feels like one for many high achievers. It's that constant drive to be flawless, to set incredibly high standards, and to tie your self-worth directly to your achievements. This can create a lot of anxiety because you're always worried about not measuring up. Even when you accomplish something great, the focus quickly shifts to what could have been better. This can stop you from enjoying your successes and keep you in a cycle of self-criticism. We explore where this need for perfection comes from and how to find a balance that allows for both achievement and peace.
Addressing Self-Criticism
This often goes hand-in-hand with perfectionism. It's that inner voice that's always pointing out your flaws, mistakes, or perceived shortcomings. Even when you're doing well, this critical voice can undermine your confidence and make you feel like an imposter. It's like having a constant critic living in your head, making it hard to feel good about yourself or your accomplishments. We work on understanding this inner critic, where it learned its harsh lessons, and how to develop a more compassionate and realistic self-view. Learning to quiet that inner critic is a major step toward feeling more at ease. It's about building a more supportive internal dialogue, which can really change how you feel day-to-day. This kind of work can help you feel more secure in yourself, which is a big deal for long-term mental health.
The Initial Consultation and Therapeutic Alliance
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and figuring out where to begin is half the battle. The initial consultation is really about getting to know each other and seeing if we're a good match for the work ahead. It's not about jumping straight into solutions, but rather taking the time to understand your unique experience with anxiety. We'll talk about what brought you here, your personal history, and what you hope to gain from therapy. This helps me get a sense of your specific needs so I can figure out the best way to support you.
Understanding Your Unique Experience
This first meeting is your chance to share what's going on for you. We'll explore your current struggles and any significant events from your past that might be playing a role. It's important to me that you feel heard and understood. This is where we start building the foundation for our work together.
Tailoring Treatment to Your Needs
Not everyone's anxiety looks the same, and what works for one person might not work for another. Based on our initial conversation, we can start to think about a treatment plan that's specifically designed for you. This isn't a one-size-fits-all situation; it's about creating a path that makes sense for your individual journey. We'll discuss how my psychoanalytic approach might be a good fit for uncovering deeper patterns.
Establishing a Safe Environment for Healing
Therapy is most effective when you feel safe and can be open. For many high achievers, the therapy room becomes a rare space where they don't have to perform or pretend. It's a place to explore your feelings and experiences without judgment. This secure environment is key to allowing authentic healing to happen. We'll work together to create this space from our very first meeting.
Why Professionals Choose Specialized Anxiety Therapy
So, why do so many professionals, especially those in demanding fields, opt for specialized anxiety therapy? It often comes down to a feeling that the usual advice just doesn't cut it. You know, the kind of advice that tells you to 'just relax' or 'take deep breaths.' While those things can help a little, they don't really get to the heart of why the anxiety is there in the first place. Professionals often find themselves in a situation where they're outwardly successful, ticking all the boxes, but inside, there's this persistent hum of worry or self-doubt. It's like having a great job and a nice house, but still feeling like you're not quite good enough or that something bad is about to happen.
This is where specialized therapy really shines. It's not just about managing symptoms; it's about understanding the deeper patterns that are driving the anxiety. Think of it like this:
Understanding the High-Achiever's Struggle: Many professionals develop coping mechanisms that serve them well in their careers, like perfectionism or a strong work ethic. But these same traits can become the source of significant anxiety. Specialized therapy recognizes this unique dynamic and helps unpack how these strengths can also become burdens.
A Process-Oriented Approach: Instead of quick fixes, this type of therapy focuses on exploring the 'why' behind the anxiety. It looks at how past experiences, even those you might not consciously remember, shape your current feelings and reactions. It’s about understanding the roots, not just trimming the branches.
Transforming Unconscious Dynamics: A lot of what drives our anxiety happens below the surface, in our unconscious mind. Specialized therapy aims to bring these hidden patterns into awareness. When you understand why you react a certain way, or why certain situations trigger intense worry, you gain the power to change those reactions. It’s about making lasting shifts, not just temporary adjustments.
Working Through Anxiety and Depression Together
It's pretty common for people to deal with both anxiety and depression at the same time. They often show up together, like a package deal, making things feel even more overwhelming. For folks who are always pushing themselves, like high achievers, this can be especially tough. There's this pressure to seem like you've got it all together, but inside, you might be wrestling with a lot. This combination can create some really complicated mental health challenges that need a careful approach.
Sometimes, anxiety shows up as this paralyzing perfectionism. You're so afraid of messing up that you can't even start, or you can't enjoy it when you do succeed. It's like you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, bracing for criticism or problems. This constant tension is just exhausting and takes a toll on your mind and body.
When we look at treating these issues, it's not about tackling anxiety and depression as separate problems. Instead, we try to understand how they're connected and what they might be telling us about what's going on deeper down. Often, anxiety can act like a shield, protecting us from feelings that feel too painful or scary to face directly.
Here's a look at how these conditions can intertwine:
Interconnectedness: Anxiety and depression frequently feed into each other. Feeling anxious about your performance can lead to depressive thoughts when you don't meet your own high standards.
Protective Function: Sometimes, the symptoms of anxiety or depression serve a purpose, even if it's not a healthy one. They might be a way to avoid deeper emotional pain or to signal that something needs attention.
Integration Over Elimination: The goal isn't usually to get rid of these feelings entirely, but to understand them and learn to live with them in a healthier way. It's about integrating these experiences into a more complete sense of self.
By exploring these connections, we can start to develop a more understanding and kinder relationship with these difficult feelings, rather than just trying to fight them. This can lead to better emotional balance and help manage stress more effectively. If you're struggling with both, it might be helpful to look into resources for dual diagnosis treatment to get a clearer picture of how these conditions interact.
Addressing Common Concerns for Busy Professionals
It's totally understandable if you're a busy professional and think therapy might not fit into your packed schedule. Many of my clients initially feel this way. They're used to efficiency and seeing direct results, and the idea of talking about feelings can seem, well, unproductive. But here's the thing: this isn't about adding another task to your to-do list. It's about making the tasks you already have more manageable and, honestly, more meaningful.
The Fear of Vulnerability in Therapy
There's a common worry that opening up in therapy means showing weakness, especially in professional settings where you're expected to be strong and in control. Honestly, it's the opposite. Exploring your inner world, understanding what makes you tick, and recognizing your emotional triggers actually makes you more capable. It builds a kind of resilience that's far more robust than just putting on a brave face. Think of it as developing a deeper emotional intelligence, which is a huge asset in leadership and relationships. It's not about becoming overly emotional; it's about becoming more self-aware, which, in turn, helps you handle complex situations better.
Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
So, what does this look like in practice? It means you start to understand why you react certain ways in specific situations. Maybe you find yourself getting overly stressed before big presentations, or perhaps you tend to avoid conflict even when it's necessary. Therapy helps you see the patterns behind these reactions. It's about learning to:
Recognize your emotional state without judgment.
Understand the root causes of your feelings, not just the surface symptoms.
Respond to challenging situations in a more considered way, rather than just reacting.
This kind of self-knowledge is what truly sets people apart, not just in their careers but in their personal lives too.
The Long-Term Investment in Mental Health
I get it, time is money, and therapy can feel like a big time commitment. But when you look at it as an investment, it really changes the perspective. While it's not a quick fix, the changes that come from this kind of deeper work are lasting. You're not just learning a few tricks to manage anxiety; you're building a better relationship with yourself. This self-understanding becomes a tool you can use throughout your life, helping you navigate whatever comes your way. It's about creating a foundation for ongoing well-being, which ultimately makes you more effective and fulfilled in everything you do.
Feeling overwhelmed with your packed schedule? We get it. Finding time for yourself can feel impossible when you're juggling work and life. That's why we've put together some simple tips to help you manage your time better. Ready to take control of your day? Visit our website to discover how you can make more time for what matters most.
Moving Forward: Finding Lasting Peace
So, we've talked a lot about anxiety – what it is, how it shows up, and especially how therapy can help. It's not always a quick fix, and sometimes the stuff that bothers us is buried pretty deep. But the good news is, there are ways to work through it. Finding the right kind of support, whether it's talking things out, understanding old patterns, or just having a safe space to be yourself, can really make a difference. It takes courage to start, but the payoff – feeling more like yourself and less controlled by worry – is totally worth it. Remember, you don't have to figure it all out alone.
About Dr. Ann Krajewski
I consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they discover their inner power and worth. There's something deeply moving about witnessing someone heal from wounds that have kept them from seeing who they really are—from embracing the parts of themselves that make them unique and special.
Hello, I'm Dr. Ann Krajewski.
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia, Washington DC, and Washington State who has spent the past 10 years working with individuals in depth-oriented therapy. I hold a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. I bring deep care, genuine curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to exploring beneath the surface. Our work together might include moments of laughter, but I'm always curious about what lies underneath. Through careful questions and deep listening, we make connections and understand the patterns that have shaped your life.
I'm committed to my own ongoing growth through continuous training, engagement with psychoanalytic theory, and my own personal therapy. I believe my willingness to explore my own depths directly influences my ability to support you in exploring yours.
I'd love to connect and begin getting to know you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than just feeling a little worried. It's when you feel scared or nervous a lot, and it gets in the way of your everyday life. It can make you feel restless, tense, or even cause physical feelings like a fast heartbeat.
Why do successful people get anxious?
Even if you do great things and look good on the outside, you might feel unsure of yourself on the inside. This can happen because of pressure to be perfect, fear of messing up, or trying too hard to please others. It's like having a secret struggle that others don't see.
How is this therapy different from other types?
Instead of just giving you tips to feel better right away, this therapy looks at the deeper reasons why you feel anxious. We explore past experiences and hidden thoughts that might be causing the problem, aiming for real change, not just a quick fix.
What is 'depth psychology'?
Depth psychology is a way of thinking about the mind that believes many of our feelings and actions come from parts of us we're not fully aware of. It's like looking beneath the surface to understand the hidden parts of your mind that affect how you feel and act.
What's the point of talking about old feelings or dreams in therapy?
Talking freely about whatever comes to mind, including dreams, helps uncover hidden feelings and patterns. It's like putting puzzle pieces together to understand the bigger picture of why you feel the way you do.
How does the relationship with the therapist help?
The connection you build with your therapist is really important. It creates a safe and trusted space where you can be open and honest about your struggles without fear of being judged. This trust helps you heal.
Can therapy help with things like panic attacks or perfectionism?
Yes, this type of therapy can help with specific issues like panic attacks, which are sudden waves of intense fear. It also helps with perfectionism, that need to be flawless, by looking at why you feel you need to be perfect and how it affects you.
Is it okay to feel nervous about starting therapy?
It's completely normal to feel a bit worried or unsure about starting therapy, especially if you're used to handling things on your own. Therapy is a journey, and the first step is often the hardest, but it's a brave step towards feeling better.
