SUPPORT FOR WORRY & OVERWHELM
Anxiety
Counselling
When worry takes up too much space,
support can help.
When worry, racing thoughts, or feeling on edge start to affect everyday life, you don’t have to navigate it alone. MHASO offers individual counselling to help you explore your concerns and work towards goals that matter to you.
Begin with a confidential online intake.
Support shaped around your needs
Practical skills for everyday life
In-person, virtual & phone options
UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPERIENCE
Anxiety can show up
in different ways.
Feeling anxious sometimes is part of being human. But when worry is persistent, difficult to manage, or getting in the way of sleep, relationships, work, or school, it may be time to seek support.
You might seem to be managing on the outside while feeling overwhelmed inside. You can talk about what you’re experiencing without needing to find the perfect words for it.
01
A busy, worried mind
Repeated “what if” thoughts, expecting things to go wrong, or finding it hard to switch off.
02
Feeling it in your body
Muscle tension, restlessness, a racing heart, or an unsettled stomach when you feel anxious.
03
Life becoming smaller
Avoiding social situations, putting things off, or seeking frequent reassurance because of fear or worry.
04
Finding it hard to rest
Trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, or feeling irritable and worn out by worry.
These experiences can have different causes. A healthcare professional can help you understand them.
Learn more about anxiety from CAMH ↗
HOW COUNSELLING CAN HELP
Understand the patterns.
Build your confidence.
Take the next step.
Counselling offers space to explore what anxiety is doing in your life and what you would like to be different. You and your clinician can agree on goals and a way of working that fits your needs.
Make sense of what is happening
Talk about when anxiety shows up, the thoughts and physical sensations you notice, and how you tend to respond. Your clinician can help you explore patterns and what keeps them going.
Practise ways to respond
Depending on your needs, you may explore ways to work with anxious thoughts, respond to uncomfortable feelings, or build routines that support daily life. Discuss which approaches are suitable with your clinician.
Work towards what matters to you
Set manageable goals around the situations or activities anxiety has made difficult. Review what you’re learning together and adjust the plan as your needs change.
COMMON QUESTIONS
It’s okay to
feel unsure.
Being unsure where to start can be part of reaching out.
What approaches can help with anxiety?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-studied treatment for anxiety. It helps people examine patterns in their thoughts and actions. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is another approach that may help people respond to difficult thoughts and feelings while taking steps towards what matters to them.
Your clinician can explain suitable options and their training. Ask the intake team which approaches are currently available at MHASO.
Is my anxiety serious enough for counselling?
You don’t have to wait until you feel unable to cope. If worry is taking up a lot of your energy, affecting your choices, or making everyday life harder, it is reasonable to ask about support.
Can I talk about panic or social anxiety?
Yes. Tell the intake team about the situations and experiences you want help with, including panic, social fears, or ongoing worry. Sharing this helps the team consider a clinician with relevant experience and discuss suitable next steps.
What if I’m anxious about the first appointment?
You can let the intake team or your clinician know. It may help to bring a few notes about what has been difficult and what you hope to get from counselling. You can also ask how the first appointment will work.
How many sessions will I need?
The length and frequency of counselling depend on your concerns, goals, and the approach you choose with your clinician. Ask about a starting plan and review it together as you go.