Does this sound familiar?
You're capable. You're reliable. You're the one people come to when things need doing.
From the outside, everything looks fine - maybe even impressive.
But underneath your mind doesn't switch off. You replay conversations. You prepare for worst case scenarios that rarely happen. You feel the low hum of dread before things that you're objectively good at.
You've probably told yourself: I should be able to handle this. Other people have it worse. I don't have time to fall apart.
My clients often have these thoughts and thats why they wait longer than needed to get support.
Why this is common in high-pressure careers
The same qualities that make someone good at a demanding job - high standards, conscientiousness, anticipating problems before they happen - are the same qualities that can fuel anxiety.
Perfectionism isn't a character flaw. It's usually a strategy that once worked well, before it started costing you too much.
Many of my clients are solicitors, doctors, executives, business owners, and others in roles where a great deal is expected of them and where asking for help or being seen to struggle can feel professionally risky.
That creates pressure and prevents people from seeking help.
You don't need to be in crisis to deserve support
Many of the people I work with are functioning well by every outward measure, and quietly exhausted on the inside.
Therapy isn't just for when things fall apart.
It's for when you're tired of holding it together alone, and you'd rather understand what's driving your anxiety and learn better coping strategies.
How this works in practice
Practical, not vague
CBT is structured and evidence-based, You'll leave sessions with a clearer understanding of what's driving your anxiety, and concrete tools to use.
It works around a demanding life
CBT is time-limited (often 8-16 sessions), making it ideal for people with full lives. I offer early morning, evening and remote sessions.
Develop tools
The goal of CBT is to make itself unnecessary. You learn techniques you can apply independently.
Focused
At the start of every session we will set an "agenda". This makes sessions focused and productive.
Why CBT is suited to high-achievers
Most people who come to me have already tried to think their way out of the problem. They've read the books. They know rationally that their fears are disproportionate. They've told themselves to stop worrying.
It hasn't worked - not because they're not smart enough, but because knowing something intellectually and changing an ingrained pattern are completely different things.
CBT bridges that gap. It's structured and goal-focused, which suits people who are used to working towards measurable outcomes. It's practical and evidence-based, ideal for those who want tools, not just talk.
Many clients come with a mix of these, or with something that doesn't fit neatly into a category. That's fine too! The first session is always about understanding your specific experience, not applying a generic formula.
Who you'd be working with
I'm Lauren Coombs, a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist based in Wilmslow, Cheshire. I work with adults managing anxiety and depression, many of whom have been quietly struggling for a long time before they reach out.
I won't offer vague reassurance or ask you to simply think more positively. My approach is practical, structured, and paced around your life - because I work with a lot of people who can't put everything else on hold.