Anxiety Therapy London: Understanding and Treatment
- Matthew Frener
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Last updated: 6th February 2026
Do you feel overwhelmed by worry that won't switch off?
Does anxiety create physical sensations - racing heart, tight chest, difficulty breathing - that appear without warning?
You're not alone, and anxiety therapy in London can help.
I'm Matthew Frener, an Integrative Therapist based in Fitzrovia, specialising in evidence-based anxiety treatment. Using approaches including CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, I'll help you understand what's happening in your mind and body, and develop practical strategies to regain control.
On this page:
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
Anxiety is your body's natural response to perceived threat or danger.
Whilst everyone experiences worry occasionally, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) occurs when this response becomes persistent, excessive, and difficult to control.
In any given week in England, 6 in 100 people are diagnosed with GAD.
Recent data shows that 1 in 4 adults in England experience a mental health problem each year, with anxiety being one of the most common.
In 2023-24, there were over 204,000 new referrals for anxiety treatment - more than double pre-pandemic levels.
The condition affects how you think, feel, and behave, often creating a cycle that feels impossible to break without support.
Key characteristics of anxiety:
Persistent worry that's difficult to control
Physical symptoms that affect daily functioning
Avoidance of situations that trigger anxious feelings
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Sense of impending doom or danger
UNDERSTANDING THE FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT RESPONSE
When you experience anxiety, your body activates its ancient survival mechanism: the fight-or-flight response.
This evolved to protect us from physical danger, but in modern life, it can be triggered by psychological threats - deadlines, social situations, or even our own thoughts.
What happens in your body:
Your amygdala (the brain's alarm system) signals danger, triggering a cascade of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. These prepare your body to either confront the threat or escape from it.
Whilst this response is helpful in genuine emergencies, chronic activation creates the uncomfortable symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.
RECOGNISING PHYSICAL SENSATIONS
Anxiety manifests differently for everyone, but common physical symptoms include:
Cardiovascular: Racing heart, chest tightness, palpitations
Respiratory: Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, feeling unable to catch your breath
Digestive: Nausea, stomach upset, loss of appetite
Muscular: Tension, trembling, restlessness
Neurological: Dizziness, light-headedness, tingling sensations
Sleep: Difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently, fatigue despite rest
These sensations can feel frightening, but they're your body's response to perceived threat - not a sign of physical illness. Understanding this connection is the first step towards managing anxiety effectively.
IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING TRIGGERS
Common anxiety triggers:
Work pressure: Deadlines, performance reviews, workplace conflict
Social situations: Meeting new people, public speaking, feeling judged
Health concerns: Worrying about symptoms or medical appointments
Financial stress: Bills, job security, unexpected expenses
Relationship difficulties: Conflict, communication breakdowns, fear of rejection
Life transitions: Moving house, changing jobs, major decisions
Evidence-based management strategies:
Cognitive restructuring - Learning to identify and challenge anxious thoughts
Graded exposure - Gradually facing feared situations in a controlled way
Mindfulness practices - Developing present-moment awareness
Breathing techniques - Regulating your nervous system response
Lifestyle modifications - Sleep, exercise, and nutrition foundations
Recent research shows that 48.2% of people with GAD receive treatment, and evidence-based therapies like CBT demonstrate significant effectiveness in reducing symptoms.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ANXIETY THERAPY LONDON
Your first session:
We'll discuss what's brought you to therapy, your current symptoms, and what you hope to achieve. This is a collaborative process - you're in control of what we explore and at what pace.
Treatment approaches I use:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Understanding and shifting the thought–feeling–behaviour cycle that keeps anxiety going
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Learning practical skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, including mindfulness-based tools and building radical acceptance when anxiety feels intense
Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current anxiety triggers and coping strategies
Developmental and Attachment-Based Therapy: Making sense of how early relationships and formative experiences influence anxiety, self-worth, and closeness with others
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Working with the “parts” of you that feel anxious or protective, so you can respond with more calm and self-leadership
Trauma-Informed Approach: Prioritising safety, pacing, and nervous system regulation, recognising anxiety as a protective response shaped by stress or trauma
Relational Therapy: Paying attention to what happens between us in the therapy relationship, using it as a safe space to understand patterns and build new ways of relating
Timeline:
Most clients notice improvements within 6-12 sessions, though everyone's journey is different. Some prefer short-term focused work, whilst others benefit from longer-term exploration.
Between sessions:
You'll have opportunities to practise new skills and strategies. These aren't "homework" in the traditional sense - they're experiments to help you discover what works for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if my anxiety needs professional help?
If anxiety interferes with your daily life, relationships, work, or causes significant distress, therapy can help. You don't need to wait until you're in crisis - early intervention often prevents symptoms from worsening.
What's the difference between anxiety and stress?
Stress is typically a response to an external trigger (deadline, argument) and resolves when the situation changes. Anxiety persists even without an obvious external cause and can feel disproportionate to the situation.
Can anxiety be cured?
Whilst anxiety may not disappear entirely, therapy provides tools to manage symptoms effectively. Many clients report significant reductions in anxiety severity and improved quality of life.
How long will therapy take?
This varies by individual. Short-term CBT (6-12 sessions) is effective for many people, whilst others prefer longer-term work to address underlying patterns. We'll review progress regularly and adjust as needed.
Will I need medication?
Therapy is often effective without medication. However, some people benefit from a combined approach. I work collaboratively with GPs and psychiatrists when medication is being considered.
What if I feel worse before I feel better?
Sometimes exploring anxiety-provoking topics can temporarily increase discomfort. This is normal and usually indicates we're addressing important issues. We'll work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
If you're experiencing anxiety and would like support, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how therapy might help.
Contact me today:
Call: +44 7496 186227
Email: matthew@matthewfrener.com
Book online: Click here
I'm based in Fitzrovia, W1, Central London, and offer both in-person and online sessions across the UK.
About Matthew Frener
I'm an Integrative Therapist and DBT practitioner based in Fitzrovia, London, W1, offering both in-person and online sessions to the rest of the U.K. I'm an Accredited Member of the BACP (MBACP Accred) and Accredited Registrant of the NCPS (MNCPS Accred), currently completing an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy.
I have extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, using evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, and mindfulness techniques. My work in specialist treatment centres, including Priory, has given me deep insight into how anxiety intersects with trauma, addiction, and other mental health concerns.
I believe therapy should be collaborative, practical, and tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're experiencing generalised anxiety, panic attacks, or anxiety related to specific situations, I can help you develop effective strategies to regain control.
To find out more about me or the way I work, click here.
REFERENCES
Mental Health Foundation (2024). Mental health statistics: UK and worldwide. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/mental-health-statistics-uk-and-worldwide
NHS Digital (2024). Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics. Anxiety disorder referrals and treatment data. Retrieved from https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-services-monthly-statistics
British Medical Association (2024). The mental health crisis in England: BMA briefing. Retrieved from https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/the-mental-health-crisis-in-england
Our Future Health (2024). Anxiety statistics and prevalence data. Retrieved from https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk/
NHS (2024). Generalised anxiety disorder in adults: Treatment and management. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management. Clinical guideline [CG113]. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
