COUNSELLING FOR ANXIETY

RELIEF FROM
ANXIETY
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RELAX

THERAPY THAT HELPS YOU MANAGE WITH COMPASSION AND EVIDENCE BASED SUPPORT

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Anxiety is the most common mental health problem experienced by young people in Singapore. About 27.0%, or about 1 in 4 youths reported having had severe or extremely severe symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety can show up in many ways — as racing thoughts, muscle tension, restlessness, or panic that seems to come out of nowhere.

While occasional anxiety is normal, it becomes a concern when:

  • It is excessive compared to the situation.
  • It is persistent, lasting for weeks or months.
  • It interferes with daily activities, relationships, or well-being

 

experiencing such anxiety or panic and be particularly overwhelming, especially when it feels uncontrollable.  

But You don’t have to face anxiety alone. Anxiety is highly managable, and many people learn to manage or overcome it with the right support and strategies. If you're struggling, consider how counselling for anxiety can help you.

how counselling for anxiety can help

Counselling for anxiety offers a supportive and validating environment where individuals can explore and understand their anxiety without judgment.

Our counsellors will help you to

  • understand and manage triggers
  • strengthen self-awareness and underlying causes
  • understand your body’s stress response
  • learn practical skills to manage anxiety symptoms in real-life situations.
  • develop grounding and relaxation techniques
  • challenge and reframe negative thought patterns.

 

Our therapists draw on evidence-based methods and approaches to help you regain control of your thoughts and emotions.

When suitable, techniques such as exposure therapy or systematic desensitization to gradually expose individuals to feared situations or stimuli in a controlled manner may also be utilised. This helps reduce avoidance behaviors and desensitize individuals to anxiety triggers.

Break Free from Anxiety – Let’s Take the First Step Together

relaxation technique used in counselling for anxiety

understanding anxiety and how it affects you

what is anxiety
how anxiety affects
SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY
Physical Symptoms

physical symptoms

shortness of breath or hyperventilation

Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

Muscle tension or tremors

Sweating

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Nausea or stomach discomfort

Headaches or migraines

Fatigue or weakness

Restlessness or feeling on edge

emotional symptoms

Excessive worry or fear

Irritability, impatience or agitation

Nervousness

Feelings of apprehension or dread

Feeling overwhelmed

cognitive symptoms

Racing or intrusive thoughts

Catastrophic thinking (imagining the worst-case scenarios)

Difficulty making decisions

Difficulty concentrating

Memory problems or blanking out

Trouble focusing or mind going blank

Heightened sensitivity to potential threats or dangers

behavioural symptoms

Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations or triggers

Seeking reassurance from others

Ritualistic behaviors (e.g., checking, counting, repeating actions)

Difficulty sleeping or insomnia

Changes in appetite or eating habits

Procrastination or avoidance of tasks

physical symptoms

shortness of breath or hyperventilation

Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

Muscle tension or tremors

Sweating

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Nausea or stomach discomfort

Headaches or migraines

Fatigue or weakness

Restlessness or feeling on edge

emotional symptoms

Excessive worry or fear

Irritability, impatience or agitation

Nervousness

Feelings of apprehension or dread

Feeling overwhelmed

cognitive symptoms

Racing or intrusive thoughts

Catastrophic thinking (imagining the worst-case scenarios)

Difficulty making decisions

Difficulty concentrating

Memory problems or blanking out

Trouble focusing or mind going blank

Heightened sensitivity to potential threats or dangers

behavioural symptoms

Avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations or triggers

Seeking reassurance from others

Ritualistic behaviors (e.g., checking, counting, repeating actions)

Difficulty sleeping or insomnia

Changes in appetite or eating habits

Procrastination or avoidance of tasks

ANXIETY CAN PRESENT ITSELF IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Generalised Anxiety

generalised Anxiety

Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, family, or finances, even when there is little or no reason for concern.

This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping.

Social
Anxiety

A fear of social situations and interactions due to a fear of being judged, embarrassed, rejected, or humiliated in social situations.

Those with these fears will try to avoid the situation or endure it with great anxiety.

Common examples are extreme fear of public speaking, meeting new people or eating/drinking in public

Specific Phobias

A specific phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is generally not considered harmful. You may know your fear is excessive, but can’t overcome it.

These fears can cause distress to the extent that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear.

Examples are public speaking, fear of flying or fear of spiders

Panic
Attacks

characterized by sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.

These symptoms can be severe, some people who experience a panic attack may believe they are having a heart attack or some other life-threatening illness.

generalised Anxiety

Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, family, or finances, even when there is little or no reason for concern.

This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping.

Social
Anxiety

A fear of social situations and interactions due to a fear of being judged, embarrassed, rejected, or humiliated in social situations.

Those with these fears will try to avoid the situation or endure it with great anxiety.

Common examples are extreme fear of public speaking, meeting new people or eating/drinking in public

Specific Phobias

A specific phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is generally not considered harmful. You may know your fear is excessive, but can’t overcome it.

These fears can cause distress to the extent that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear.

Examples are public speaking, fear of flying or fear of spiders

Panic
Attacks

characterized by sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.

These symptoms can be severe, some people who experience a panic attack may believe they are having a heart attack or some other life-threatening illness.

picture of woman regaining peace after counselling for stress and burnout

COUNSELLING FOR ANXIETY

Find calm again, one breath at a time.

 

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Anxiety typically leads people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. In general, do seek help when your fear or anxiety is

  • Out of proportion to the situation
  • Hinder your ability to function normally to the extent that;
  • Your job or school performance, and/or personal relationships are  affected.

While the direct causes of anxiety disorders are currently unknown, anxiety can be caused by a complex interaction of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Common causes and contributors include:

  • Genetics: Anxiety disorders often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component.

  • Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in brain neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA can increase susceptibility to anxiety.

  • Personality Traits: Certain personality types, such as being more prone to negative thinking or shyness, are more likely to develop anxiety.

  • Trauma and Stress: Experiencing traumatic events—especially during childhood, but also in adulthood—can significantly raise the risk of developing anxiety disorders.

  • Chronic Illness or Health Problems: Ongoing physical health conditions can be a major source of worry and trigger chronic anxiety.

  • Significant Life Changes: Major life events, stress build-up, or social pressures such as changes in job, living arrangements, or financial strain often contribute.

  • Substance Abuse and Withdrawal: The use or withdrawal from drugs, alcohol, and certain medications can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms.

  • Other Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions such as depression.

  • Environmental and Social Factors: Experiences such as isolation, bullying, discrimination, or lack of support and resources can also contribute to anxiety.

 

The duration of counselling can vary depending on individual needs and circumstances. Some clients may achieve significant progress in a few sessions, while others may require more time. The counsellor will assess your situation during the initial consultation and discuss a recommended timeframe for your journey.

Regular sessions are typically scheduled, allowing for ongoing support and monitoring of progress.

It is worth noting that it may take a few sessions to build up the rapport and trust necessary for therapy to work.

Why Choose
Gentle Mind

A Safe Space – Diversity & Inclusivity
A safe, affirming space where people of all backgrounds—race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability—are welcomed and celebrated.

You Are Our Priority – Autonomy & Empowerment
We respect your voice and collaborate with you, supporting your right to make decisions and shape your own path to healing.

Professional Team – Experienced and Compassionate Therapists
Our counsellors hold Master’s degrees in Counselling and are trained in evidence-based approaches like CBT, EMDR, and IFS. learn more about us

20 mins free consult
Find out if our counsellors are the right fit for you, or ask any questions you may have about the process of counselling.

Self assessment tool

This tool can provide a quick assessment of your anxiety, providing a foundation for seeking further support or professional help if needed.

The self-assessment tool provided for measuring anxiety can offer insights into your experiences and symptoms, but they are intended for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you are experiencing significant distress, mental health challenges, or have concerns about your well-being, please seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional.

Your mental health is important.

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