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Understanding Anxiety & How Therapy Helps
If you’re exploring therapy in Glasgow and want to understand your options, costs, or what to expect, this page brings together the most common questions people ask — all in one place. The FAQ is designed to help you make sense of your options and the process of accessing therapy.
Each answer is based on professional practice experience and local Glasgow mental health pathways, so you can make informed decisions with confidence, making sense of the available support.
Understanding Anxiety & Treatment Options
Q-What are common symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety can show up as racing thoughts, restlessness, muscle tension, poor sleep, or physical symptoms like dizziness or stomach upset. It can also involve overwhelming feelings that are difficult to manage. You may also notice overthinking or constant “what if” worry that feels hard to turn off.
Q-How do I know if my anxiety is severe?
If anxiety starts to limit your daily life — such as causing problems with work, relationships, or daily functioning, like avoiding work, social events, or sleep — it’s worth reaching out for professional help. Severity isn’t just about how anxious you feel, but how much it interferes with normal functioning.
Q-How do doctors test for anxiety?
In Glasgow, GPs usually use short screening tools such as the GAD-7 or PHQ-9 to assess your symptoms. You might also be referred to a therapist for a deeper assessment and ongoing support.
Q-Can anxiety go away without therapy?
Some people find that lifestyle changes and stress management help, but for lasting change, therapy often provides the structure, tools, and skills to break long-term anxiety patterns.
Q- What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?
It's a grounding technique — name 3 things you see, 3 things you hear, and move 3 parts of your body. It helps refocus attention away from racing thoughts in moments of high anxiety.
Types of Therapy for Anxiety in Glasgow
Q-What type of therapy is best for anxiety?
In Glasgow, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) are the most common evidence-based treatments for anxiety. EMDR and Rewind Therapy are also highly effective when anxiety links to past trauma.
Q-Is psychotherapy or counselling better for anxiety?
They overlap a lot. Counselling often focuses on emotional support and life challenges, including processing life experiences, while psychotherapy explores deeper behavioural or trauma patterns. The “best” fit depends on your
goals and comfort with the therapist’s style.
Q-What is the most effective treatment for anxiety?
A combination of therapy and interventions that work with both the mind and body tends to be most effective — for example, CBT for thoughts plus EMDR for body-stored stress.
Q-Does therapy really help with anxiety?
Yes — research and local clinical outcomes show therapy can reduce anxiety symptoms by 60–80% for most people, depending on frequency and engagement, and many people recover from anxiety and other mental health problems through therapy.
Q- Is therapy worth it for anxiety?
If anxiety is affecting your relationships, confidence, or ability to rest, therapy can be one of the best investments for clients seeking to improve their mental health and long-term wellbeing.
Accessing Therapy Through the NHS or Privately
Q-Can my GP help with anxiety?
Yes. Your GP can provide an initial assessment, prescribe short-term medication if appropriate, and refer you to NHS mental health services such as Primary Care Mental Health Teams or psychological therapies.
Q-Do I need a referral to start therapy in Glasgow?
For private therapy, no referral is needed — you can contact a therapist directly. For NHS therapy, you can self-refer to your local IAPT or NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde psychological services without having to speak to a GP.
Q-How do I get free therapy in Glasgow?
You can access funded therapy through your GP or NHS Scotland’s online self-referral system. Living Life is a free, confidential telephone service for anyone in Scotland aged 16 and over experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression, or anxiety. Breathing Space offers a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression, or anxiety, and is funded by the Scottish Government's Mental Health Unit and managed by NHS 24.
Wait times vary, so some people choose to start privately while staying on the NHS list.
Q-Is therapy covered by the NHS in Scotland?
Yes. NHS Scotland offers free therapy options, mainly CBT and counselling, but only for certain mental health conditions, such as depression. However, the availability depends on your area and current waiting lists.
Q-How long is the NHS waiting list for therapy?
In Glasgow, while NHS support is intended to be easy to access, waiting times for therapy typically range from 12 weeks to 18 months, depending on demand.
🔗 Learn more: Therapist in Glasgow
Therapy Costs & Affordability in Glasgow
Q- How much does therapy cost in Glasgow?
Private therapy in Glasgow usually costs between £60–£120 per session, depending on the therapist's training and approach.
Q-What if I can't afford therapy in Glasgow?
Many therapists (including Brain Botanics) offer limited reduced-fee spaces, online sessions, or shorter-term structured therapy options. Some organizations provide mental health support specifically for their staff, so it's worth checking if your employer offers such services. You can also explore NHS self-referral or charities such as SAMH and Anxiety UK.
Q-Is private therapy better than NHS therapy?
Private therapy isn't “better,” but it can be faster and more flexible — you choose your therapist, schedule, and therapy type. NHS therapy is high-quality but can involve longer waits and less choice.
Q-Why is therapy so expensive?
Therapy fees reflect professional training, insurance, supervision, and session preparation. However, the return is long-term mental health improvement and reduced relapse rates.
Q-Does private therapy go on my medical record?
No. Private sessions are confidential and separate from NHS medical records unless you choose to share information with your GP.
🔗 Book a Free Consultation to discuss session options
CBT, EMDR & Other Common Approaches
Q-What is CBT, and how does it help anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps you identify the thought–feeling–behaviour cycle that fuels anxiety, and teaches practical tools to change unhelpful patterns.
Q-How long is the waiting list for CBT in Glasgow?
For NHS CBT, expect between 3–6 months wait depending on demand. Private CBT can usually begin within 1–2 weeks.
Q-What are the criticisms of CBT?
Some people find CBT too structured or focused on thoughts, without addressing deeper emotional roots, or being practical enough for their needs. That’s why integrative therapy often combines CBT with trauma-informed approaches.
Q-What is EMDR therapy, and who is it for?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps process trauma or distressing memories linked to current anxiety. It’s especially effective for panic attacks, trauma, and PTSD.
Q-Is EMDR available on the NHS in Glasgow?
Yes, but mainly through specialist trauma or psychological services. Private EMDR therapy is available faster and with
more flexibility.
Q-Who should not do EMDR therapy?
EMDR isn’t suitable for everyone, especially if there’s active substance misuse or unmanaged dissociation. A trained EMDR therapist will assess this before beginning.
🔗 Learn more: Trauma & EMDR Therapy in Glasgow
Wondering how all this works?
1. Free Consultation
Click this link to schedule a complimentary consultation with me at the day and time that works for you. This will take place as a private, 30 minute phone call. This is a chance for us to discuss what's bringing you to therapy and determine if we're a good fit to work together. There's no pressure - just an opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for my approach.
2. We'll connect
During our consult I'll ask you some questions about what's keeping you stuck. You can ask me questions, get to know more about how I work, and we will each decide if I have the right skillset for you and if we would be a good fit to work together. This initial conversation helps us establish the foundation for our therapeutic relationship - a crucial element for effective therapy.
3. Get to work
We'll start by meeting weekly for 5 weeks to allow us to get to know one another and begin the work. We may shift to biweekly or monthly depending on your needs and goals. Throughout our work together, we'll regularly check in on your progress and adjust our approach as needed. My goal is to provide you with the tools and support you need to eventually navigate life's challenges independently.
CBT, EMDR & Other Common Approaches
Q-What is CBT, and how does it help anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps you identify the thought–feeling–behaviour cycle that fuels anxiety, and teaches practical tools to change unhelpful patterns.
Q-How long is the waiting list for CBT in Glasgow?
For NHS CBT, expect between 3–6 months wait depending on demand. Private CBT can usually begin within 1–2 weeks.
Q-What are the criticisms of CBT?
Some people find CBT too structured or focused on thoughts, without addressing deeper emotional roots, or being practical enough for their needs. That's why integrative therapy often combines CBT with trauma-informed approaches.
Q-What is EMDR therapy, and who is it for?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps process trauma or distressing memories linked to current anxiety. It's especially effective for panic attacks, trauma, and PTSD.
Q-Is EMDR available on the NHS in Glasgow?
Yes, but mainly through specialist trauma or psychological services. Private EMDR therapy is available faster and with
more flexibility.
Q-Who should not do EMDR therapy?
EMDR isn't suitable for everyone, especially if there's active substance misuse or unmanaged dissociation. A trained EMDR therapist will assess this before beginning.
🔗 Learn more: Trauma & EMDR Therapy in Glasgow
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk
If you’re not sure where to start, you can book a free 30-minute consultation to talk through your needs and options.
This helps you understand whether therapy is the right next step and what kind of approach would suit you best.
Contact:
📧 rebecca@brainbotanics.com
🔗 Back to Anxiety Therapy Glasgow