Psychological Flexibility

Acceptance Therapy for Anxiety

John Nolan
11th February 2025

acceptance therapy for anxiety, such as ACT, differs from older therapies by focusing on acceptance rather than challenging thoughts. The advantages include reducing the struggle with anxiety, promoting psychological flexibility, and helping clients focus on their values. While it may be counterintuitive initially, acceptance therapy offers a compassionate and effective approach for both clients and therapists in managing anxiety.

Taking the Fastest Route to a Meaningful Life with an Anxiety Specialist

John Nolan
3rd February 2025

For those struggling with anxiety, working with an anxiety specialist can provide a direct path to a more meaningful life by helping you understand and accept your anxiety rather than fighting it. This approach enables you to refocus on your values and goals, leading to greater fulfilment and a richer experience of life. Choosing the right professional support is a key step in this journey.

A New Direction in Anxiety Treatment: ACT’s Innovative Approach

John Nolan
22nd January 202528th May 2025

ACT offers a different perspective on anxiety treatment, moving away from the idea that anxiety is a problem to be solved and toward embracing it as a natural human experience. By focusing on acceptance, defusion, mindfulness, values, and committed action, ACT empowers individuals to live full, rich, and meaningful lives, regardless of their anxiety levels. While traditional methods like CBT and psychotherapy have their place, ACT may be preferable for those seeking a treatment that addresses the underlying processes of anxiety and fosters long-term well-being through acceptance and value-driven action. If you are looking for a new approach to anxiety that is more about living well than feeling good, ACT may be worth considering.

Which part of the brain controls anxiety6th June 2025
Which part of the brain controls anxiety. The Brain’s Anxiety Network Anxiety is a complex emotional response that involves several interconnected regions of the brain rather than being controlled by a single area. Understanding how these different parts interact provides insight into how anxiety is generated.… Read More »Which part of the brain controls anxiety
Mastering the Experience of a Panic Attack5th June 2025
Experiencing a panic attack can feel intensely frightening, like an attack on one’s very being, leading to a sense of being gripped and paralysed. These attacks can happen for seemingly no explanation and are often described as the most alarming experiences of a person’s life. A… Read More »Mastering the Experience of a Panic Attack
Comparing Havening Techniques and EMDR for Trauma and Anxiety4th June 2025
Both Havening Techniques and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) are methods for addressing distressing experiences, including those related to work anxiety. Key differences include the perceived speed of the techniques, with Havening often described as faster. Havening can be performed content-free, meaning verbal disclosure of details is not always necessary, unlike EMDR which typically involves more recounting. The mechanisms differ, with Havening focusing on depotentiation of encoded traumatic memories in the amygdala through touch, and EMDR using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. Havening is also easily taught for self-application and can be effectively integrated with other therapeutic approaches. Havening clients report not being re-traumatised during the process. While EMDR is an established trauma treatment, Havening is a newer approach focused on rapid processing and client empowerment.
Workplace Anxiety: Strategies and Support3rd June 2025
Anxiety about work is a common experience driven by how we interpret and respond to work-related situations, often involving excessive focus on future problems and attempts to control the uncontrollable. Effective self-help strategies include developing awareness of triggers, practising acceptance and mindfulness, gradually facing feared work situations through exposure, reinterpreting anxious thoughts, using relaxation and breathing techniques, and writing down worries. When workplace anxiety is severe, professional help is available. An anxiety coach can provide guidance on tackling avoidance and managing internal states. An anxiety therapist offers structured treatment to understand and modify responses to anxiety. For extreme anxiety or that linked to trauma, a Havening practitioner may provide help, including processing experiences without detailed verbal disclosure. Managing anxiety about work involves understanding its mechanisms, employing targeted techniques, and seeking appropriate professional support when necessary.
The Amygdala’s Role in Anxiety1st June 2025
The amygdala, part of the brain's limbic system, is a crucial structure for anxiety. It acts as a rapid threat detector, triggering the stress response and fight-or-flight reaction. The amygdala forms emotional memories based on associations, causing triggers to elicit anxiety. It is involved in various anxiety disorders and trauma responses. Although it can override the thinking brain, the amygdala learns from experience and can be rewired through exposure, relaxation, breathing techniques, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness, allowing for more effective anxiety management.