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Stress Therapy in Central London (W1W) & Online

For people who feel under constant pressure and can’t properly switch off

Stress is often described as “too much going on”, but for many people it’s more than a busy period. Stress can become a persistent state, mentally, emotionally, and physically, where the nervous system rarely returns to baseline.

You might feel tense, driven, irritable, exhausted, or emotionally flat. Sleep may be poor. The body may start to signal strain through headaches, gut symptoms, fatigue, muscle pain, or frequent illness.

I offer stress therapy in Central London (W1 / W1W) and online, working with adults whose stress has become a pattern, not just a response to circumstances.

How stress often shows up

People often describe:

  • Feeling constantly “on”, alert, or braced
  • Difficulty relaxing, even when there’s time to rest
  • Irritability, impatience, or emotional numbness
  • Poor sleep or unrefreshing sleep
  • Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause
  • Feeling responsible for everything, and unable to let go

Stress can sit alongside anxiety, low mood, burnout, relationship difficulties, or persistent physical symptoms.

The stress cycle (why it doesn’t resolve on its own)

Stress is maintained by a self-reinforcing loop:

  • External pressure or internal demands increase
  • The nervous system shifts into threat mode
  • The body stays activated (tension, adrenaline, cortisol)
  • You respond by:
    • pushing through
    • suppressing feelings
    • prioritising others or tasks over yourself
    • postponing rest or reflection
  • Short-term productivity is maintained
  • The system never fully resets
  • Stress becomes chronic

Over time, the body begins to express what the mind keeps overriding.

How ISTDP understands stress

From an ISTDP perspective, chronic stress often reflects unprocessed emotional load.

When emotions such as anger, sadness, disappointment, or need feel unacceptable or unsafe, the nervous system may remain in a state of tension to keep them contained. Stress becomes a way of holding everything together.

In therapy, we work to:

  • identify which emotions are being overridden or suppressed
  • notice how stress is carried in the body
  • reduce reliance on tension and overcontrol
  • increase emotional capacity so the system can reset

The aim is not simply stress management but restoring flexibility in how you respond to pressure.

How therapy helps with stress

Therapy is practical and focused on change. We work to:

  • Clarify what is driving your stress internally and externally
  • Reduce chronic tension and hyper-responsibility
  • Reconnect with emotions that have been sidelined
  • Develop more adaptive ways of responding to demands
  • Prevent stress from tipping into burnout or physical symptoms

This approach is particularly relevant for professionals, carers, and people who have been “coping” for a long time.

What sessions usually involve

Early sessions

  • Mapping stress patterns and bodily responses
  • Understanding how pressure is managed internally
  • Identifying early warning signs before overload

Ongoing work

  • Working directly with tension and emotional inhibition
  • Reducing self-imposed pressure
  • Practising new ways of responding to demands
  • Translating changes into work and daily life

Sessions are collaborative and paced carefully.

Related ways I work

Stress therapy may integrate:

  • ISTDP – when stress is linked to emotional suppression or overcontrol
  • CBT approaches – for behavioural patterns that maintain stress
  • Psychodynamic therapy – for long-standing relational and role-based pressures

You may also find these pages helpful:

Frequently asked questions

Is stress the same as anxiety or burnout?
Not necessarily. Stress can lead to anxiety or burnout, but therapy helps clarify what’s happening for you specifically.

Can stress cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Chronic stress often shows up physically when the nervous system doesn’t reset.

Do you work online as well as in person?
Yes. I work in person in Central London (W1W) and online.

How long does therapy take?
That depends on complexity and goals. We review progress regularly.

Next steps

If grief feels frozen, overwhelming, or complicated, therapy can help.