Control is a central feature in many presentations of anxiety. Although it may seem like a preference for organisation or predictability, the need for control often helps manage and regulate emotions. For some adults, maintaining control over their environment, schedule, or outcomes helps reduce uncertainty and the discomfort associated with it. This may manifest as over-planning, difficulty delegating, or heightened distress when things do not go as expected. In the short term, these...

Many adults enter therapy with a strong level of self-awareness. They can identify patterns, understand the origins of their behaviours, and articulate why they respond the way they do. Despite this, meaningful change can still feel difficult to achieve. From a clinical perspective, insight and change rely on different processes. Insight is largely cognitive and involves understanding and making sense of experiences. Change, however, often requires behavioural and emotional shifts, which...

Many adults who seek therapy describe themselves as “functioning.” They are able to maintain work, relationships, and daily responsibilities, yet report feeling persistently overwhelmed, disconnected, or dissatisfied. Functioning well externally does not necessarily reflect internal wellbeing. Adults may meet expectations while experiencing high levels of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, or low mood. In some cases, maintaining functioning requires significant effort, leaving little capacity for...