More people are signing off work with mental health problems here than in any other country in the developed world.
Stress is one of the biggest challenges in modern life. Across the UK, it’s the leading cause of workplace absence. Work can often feel more stressful than it needs to be, but it isn’t the only source of pressure. Life itself brings many stressors that need effective management.
I provide online stress management therapy and coaching to clients in Bristol, London, nationwide in the UK, and across Europe and the EMEA region. Wherever you are, you can access practical, evidence-based support from your own home.
Stress isn’t necessarily an illness. It’s usually a natural response to demand. Not all stress is bad.
Good Stress vs Bad Stress
Some stress motivates you. This positive form is called eustress — the prefix eu means “good.” It can help you plan a wedding, meet a deadline, or enjoy a rollercoaster ride. Eustress energises and inspires action.
Bad stress, called distress, drains your energy. The prefix di means “twice” or “twofold.” Distress occurs when pressure feels unmanageable. Think of a chaotic wedding followed by a noisy honeymoon near a building site. Distress can lead to burnout, anxiety, and physical illness if unchecked.
What Determines Your Stress Response?
Believing you can cope often leads to eustress. Feeling unable to cope increases distress. Perception, not the event itself, determines the type of stress you experience. Learning to manage your perception changes your stress response and improves resilience.
How I Can Help
Both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy have proven success in reducing stress. Research shows that Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) helps people in high-pressure roles, from students to military personnel. These therapies teach practical coping skills that restore calm and control.
Studies show hypnotherapy helps clients relax, reset, and respond differently to pressure. I ran REBT and hypnotherapy stress management groups at The Priory Hospital Bristol for eight years. That experience informs every online session I deliver today.
Types of Stress
Stress & Its Effects
Stress can affect your body, emotions, and behaviour. You may feel anxious, angry, or exhausted. Insomnia, IBS, and skin conditions like psoriasis often worsen under stress.
Anxiety & Work-Related Stress
Anxiety comes from a sense of danger, even when the threat is small. At work, anxiety can arise from deadlines, office politics, or performance reviews. With the right tools, you can regain perspective and reduce anxious tension, whether you are in Bristol, London, or elsewhere in Europe.
Depression & Low Mood
Chronic stress can cause reactive depression. Instead of feeling anxious, you may feel hopeless or trapped. Learning to manage thoughts and expectations can lift emotional weight before it deepens.
Anger Management & Workplace Pressure
Daily frustration can build quickly. A tough commute, unfair treatment, or demanding workloads can push anyone to the edge. Anger is natural, but uncontrolled reactions can damage relationships and careers. Learning to manage anger keeps you assertive, not explosive.
Addictions and Coping Behaviours
When stress becomes overwhelming, unhealthy coping habits often follow. Alcohol, drugs, food, or gambling may provide short-term relief. Therapy replaces these patterns with healthy, lasting strategies.
Stress and Sleep
Stress often disrupts sleep. You might struggle to fall asleep or wake during the night. CBT and hypnotherapy can restore natural, restorative sleep so you wake refreshed, focused, and ready to face the day.
Take the First Step Toward Calm
Don’t let stress control your life.
If you’re ready to regain balance, prevent burnout, and build emotional resilience, book a confidential online consultation today. Wherever you are in the UK, Europe, or EMEA, effective stress management is just a click away.