Anxiety Counselling
in Belfast,
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
What Happens When Anxiety Becomes Overwhelming?
We all experience anxiety at times, especially during stressful situations like starting a new job, moving, or dealing with relationship challenges. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, triggering the ‘fight or flight’ reaction, which can lead to symptoms like increased heart rate or sweaty palms. While these responses are normal in the short term, persistent anxiety that lasts long after the trigger can become overwhelming. For some, anxiety may be rooted in past trauma, amplifying its impact on daily life. If anxiety continues to affect daily life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Key Information
The Role of Control, Confidence, and Health in Anxiety
Anxiety is often caused by situations we feel we can’t control or things that have upset us in the past. We are inclined to remember the times that we feel we have failed for example and fear recreating that same experience. And it’s not just situations or memories that can trigger anxiety. Anxiety can be related to confidence, how we feel about ourselves and our abilities can be a factor. Our physical health is also a consideration. If we don’t look after ourselves, what we eat and drink, how much we sleep and how much we exercise, it can contribute significantly to our anxious thoughts. Unfortunately, if we allow it, anxiety itself can become a problem. We start to feel anxious about feeling anxious. We worry that our anxiety itself will get in the way and anxious thoughts spiral out of control.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Anxiety Counselling can help with
Anxiety counselling provides a supportive environment where you can explore the root causes of your anxiety and work toward understanding the thought patterns that fuel it. Through therapy, you can learn techniques to manage and reduce your anxiety, while also building resilience to face challenging situations. A skilled therapist will help you develop coping strategies, challenge negative thoughts, and gradually regain control over your emotional and physical responses to stress. By gaining insight into your anxiety triggers, you can take the necessary steps to break free from the cycle of worry and find lasting relief.
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Generalised Anxiety
Counselling helps manage constant worry, teaching techniques to reduce excessive fear and stress.
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Phobias and Social Anxiety
Therapy helps address specific fears, like a fear of heights or social situations, using gradual exposure and coping strategies.
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Panic Attacks
Counselling helps you manage the overwhelming fear and loss of control associated with panic attacks, reducing their impact.
The Process
Building Confidence and Confronting Your Fears
Phobias and social anxiety can be incredibly limiting, making everyday activities feel overwhelming. Phobias are irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, flying, or certain animals, while social anxiety involves an intense fear of social interactions and being judged by others. These fears can severely restrict your life and prevent you from engaging in normal activities. Through counselling, you’ll gain insights into why these fears developed and how to challenge the distorted beliefs that fuel them. We will work on confronting these fears gradually in a controlled and supportive way, helping you build confidence and reduce the anxiety they cause. With consistent effort and therapeutic techniques, you can reclaim your freedom and sense of control over these specific phobias and social situations.
Finding Calm in Constant Worry
Generalised anxiety is characterized by persistent, excessive worry that can affect various areas of life. People experiencing this type of anxiety often feel a constant sense of dread or fear, even when there is no specific threat or danger. This chronic anxiety can be draining, affecting daily routines, relationships, and overall well-being. In counselling, you’ll explore the underlying causes of this ongoing worry, which could stem from stress, insecurity, or unresolved emotional issues. Together, we will develop strategies to break the cycle of worry by focusing on calming techniques, challenging negative thought patterns, and building resilience. Over time, these strategies can help reduce the intensity of general anxiety, allowing you to regain control and peace of mind.
Managing Panic Attacks and Regaining Control
Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear and anxiety that can feel like a loss of control. They often come with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, shortness of breath, and an overwhelming feeling of dread. These attacks can be terrifying and often lead to avoidance behavior, as individuals fear they will experience another panic episode. In counselling, we focus on understanding the triggers of panic attacks and learning techniques to manage and reduce their frequency. You’ll develop coping strategies like grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness to manage your anxiety in real-time. With therapy, you can reduce the power panic attacks have over your life, regain control, and return to a calmer state.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
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Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
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Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
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Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
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Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
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Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
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Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
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Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
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Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
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Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
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Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
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Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber