5 Signs You Might Benefit from Anxiety Therapy
Recognizing When Anxiety Needs More Than Self-Help
Everyone feels anxious sometimes, it’s part of being human. But when anxiety becomes constant, intrusive, or overwhelming, it can begin to affect your sleep, work, relationships, and overall quality of life. It doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s a quiet hum beneath the surface, an invisible pressure that makes daily life feel harder than it should.
If you’ve been wondering whether therapy could help, this blog explores five clear signs that your anxiety might need more support than time or self-help tools alone can offer.
At Tidal Trauma Centre, our anxiety therapists in Surrey offer trauma-informed care grounded in modalities like EMDR, IFS, and somatic therapy. We’re here to support you in feeling more grounded, more in control, and more at ease in your body.
1. You Feel Like Your Mind Won’t Stop
Persistent overthinking, racing thoughts, or difficulty making decisions are all hallmarks of anxiety. You might replay conversations, second-guess yourself, or feel consumed by “what ifs.” Sometimes it’s hard to focus or even fall asleep because your brain just won’t let up.
In therapy, we help you slow down your inner experience and develop tools to recognize anxious thought patterns with compassion, not criticism. We also support your nervous system in learning to tolerate uncertainty without spiraling. The goal isn’t to “turn off” your thoughts, but to feel less controlled by them.
2. Your Body Is Constantly on High Alert
Anxiety lives in the body as much as the mind. You may notice:
Chronic muscle tension or jaw clenching
Trouble sleeping, even when exhausted
Stomach pain, nausea, or digestive distress
A racing heart or tight chest
Feeling “wired but tired” most of the time
You might also notice you’re always bracing, shoulders up, breath shallow, waiting for the next shoe to drop. Somatic therapy helps you tune into these body-based cues, shift patterns of chronic activation, and build a felt sense of safety that lasts beyond the therapy room.
3. You Avoid Things That Matter to You
Anxiety often leads to avoidance, not because you’re lazy or unmotivated, but because certain situations feel overwhelming or unsafe. You might cancel plans, procrastinate, or stay silent instead of expressing your needs. Over time, this can shrink your world.
Therapy can help you understand why avoidance shows up and work with it gently, not against it. We explore how your nervous system learned to protect you, how avoidance may have been adaptive in the past, and how to develop strategies for moving forward with care and confidence.
4. You Feel Like You’re Always on the Edge
Anxiety doesn’t just show up in moments of crisis, it can quietly shape your entire day. You might:
Feel constantly irritable or overstimulated
Worry even when things are going well
Struggle to relax or feel safe in your own skin
Feel emotionally numb, flat, or shut down
It’s easy to overlook these signs, especially if you’re high-functioning or used to being the one others rely on. At Tidal Trauma Centre, we help you make sense of these patterns and create the right conditions for your nervous system to find rest, clarity, and connection again.
5. You’ve Tried to Manage It Alone, but It’s Not Enough
You might have read all the books, tried meditation apps, practiced deep breathing, or followed self-help accounts online, but nothing seems to stick. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means your anxiety may need a more personalized, body-aware approach.
Trauma-informed therapy can help you get to the root of what’s keeping anxiety in place. Whether it stems from chronic stress, childhood experiences, relational wounds, or patterns like people-pleasing and perfectionism, you don’t have to untangle it alone. Therapy offers space to feel supported, understood, and gently challenged.
Get Matched or Book Directly
If you’re feeling anxious and unsure what to do next, we’re here to help. Fill out a New Client Form to be matched with one or more counsellors. Or, if you’re ready, book a free consult or appointment
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Not necessarily. Anxiety can stem from many sources, trauma, chronic stress, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or emotional neglect. Our therapists help you explore those layers and understand what’s behind your symptoms.
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If anxiety is interfering with your ability to rest, connect, or make decisions, therapy could be supportive. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit, just a desire for change and a safe space to explore.
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We tailor therapy to your needs, drawing from EMDR, IFS, somatic therapy, and CBT. These approaches help with both the mind and body experience of anxiety, not just the thoughts.
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Yes. Our secure virtual sessions are available across BC and are especially helpful if anxiety makes in-person visits difficult. Online therapy is just as effective and grounded in the same trauma-informed principles.
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That’s okay. Sometimes it takes finding the right therapist, method, or timing. We prioritize collaboration and regularly check in to ensure therapy is aligned and helpful.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental health advice. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.