In my counselling work, I often notice a subtle but powerful pattern: people dream, imagine, or plan something joyful, and then, almost reflexively, they invite anxiety to join them. It sounds like this: “I’d love to go wild water swimming… but what if there are sharks and I get attacked?” “I want to go out tonight… but what if I get mugged?” Suddenly, the joy of the moment is hijacked by a “just in case” scenario. And without realising it, they’ve extended an open

Are you considering booking your first counselling session but feeling anxious about what to expect? Here's a guide to help ease your nerves