How CBT helped Sarah deal with stress and anxiety

I decided to get some help when I found myself feeling very stressed at work and struggling to cope with the feelings I was having in meetings. Eventually I walked out of one, and that was enough to make me realise I needed to do something.

I arranged an initial session with John and we worked using cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT). This approach involved me looking at some of the specific worries I was having at the time, and in doing so I realised how much pressure I put myself under to 'succeed' in everything I did. As I got older, the expectations just seemed to mount up and in situations I felt I couldn't control I experienced very high levels of anxiety (fearing I was 'failing').

John helped me understand the thinking patterns underlying my problems and taught me a range of ways to change things, from challenging some negative thoughts I had about myself to doing more things to relax and wind down. Although it took a while, I gradually found myself feeling more able to cope. I realised what I expected of myself was unreasonable and I just cut myself a bit more slack.

The CBT really helped me. Although I was nervous to start with, I found John friendly and understanding. After a few meetings, I began really looking forward to my sessions, as a chance to talk about things - something I didn't seem to have elsewhere. It was a very positive experience for me.

If, like Sarah, you wish to speak to somebody about stress and anxiety, please contact us

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Practitioners offering cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) at our Glasgow centre:

Professor Ewan Gillon, Counselling Psychologist
Dr Maria Gascon, Counselling Psychologist
Dr Lisa Harrow, Clinical Psychologist
Dr Lisa Gadon, Clinical Psychologist
Dr Laura Taylor, Counselling Psychologist
Tony Scratcherd, CBT therapist / Clinical Hypnosis Practitioner