Therapy for Work Issues and School and Performance Anxiety
Work, school, and performance can all come with pressures and expectations. For some people, this may bring up underlying fears of not being able to cope or not being ‘good enough.’ Adults may feel increasingly stressed at work, while children and teens may begin to develop a fear of school. Performance anxiety, for example, in exams, interviews, or meetings, can affect people of any age and any background.
Although these experiences may look different, they’re often linked by underlying anxiety, self-doubt, and pressure. Therapy provides a space to understand these challenges and begin to feel steadier and in control.
School Anxiety and School Avoidance
School anxiety can affect children and adolescents in different ways, from worrying about grades to a fear of attending school. This may lead to school refusal (also known as ‘emotionally-based school avoidance’ (EBSA)), where anxiety makes it difficult for a child to attend school.1 It might also show up as physical symptoms, such as headaches or nausea.
A fear of school may be linked to low self-confidence, difficulties fitting in, bullying, or feeling overwhelmed by expectations.1 Over time, this can affect a child’s education, as well as their self-esteem and overall wellbeing.2
Work-Related Stress and Anxiety
It is common for many people to experience moderate-to-high stress levels at work.3 This work-related stress may build gradually or feel overwhelming from the start.
Factors such as lack of control over workload, high expectations, conflict, and limited support can contribute to work stress.4
Feeling under constant pressure, losing confidence, or struggling to ‘switch off’ can be signs that work stress is becoming too much. If left unaddressed, this may go on to affect both your mental health and daily functioning.
Therapy for work-related stress provides space to step back, understand what’s driving it, and develop more manageable ways of coping.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety, sometimes called ‘stage fright’, can affect people of any age in both school and work settings. It often comes up when you feel observed or under pressure, such as during presentations, exams, or interviews.5 It can show up as racing thoughts, physical symptoms like sweaty palms, or fear of making a mistake.6 Further, it may lead to over-preparing or avoiding situations, which may reinforce the anxiety cycle.
Understanding performance anxiety is an important step in reducing its impact and rebuilding confidence.
How Therapy Helps
Therapy can help with work, school, and performance-related stress and anxiety by supporting you to:4,7,8
- Better understand your experiences
- Identify unhelpful thought patterns
- Develop coping strategies
- Build confidence in yourself
- Strengthen emotional resilience
- Reduce avoidance
By supporting you in these ways, therapy can help you respond to challenges with greater clarity and self-trust.
Therapeutic Approaches
Whether you are considering school, performance, or work related stress therapy, several approaches can support you, including:7,8
- Counselling: Counselling helps you understand what’s driving stress and gently work through it.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours, helping you begin responding differently.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT helps you accept difficult experiences and move forward despite them.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): MBCT supports you in observing negative thoughts and feelings without judgement or engaging with them, helping to reduce rumination and allowing you to feel more present.
Book a Session for School or Work Related Anxiety Therapy in London
If you feel like stress and anxiety are affecting you or your child, you don’t have to face these challenges on your own.
My integrative approach means I draw upon several evidence-based therapies, tailored to your needs, preferences, and goals.
I offer therapy both in-person (in London) and online, so you can access sessions in a way that fits your schedule. You are welcome to get in touch to discuss your needs or ask any questions.
FAQs About School, Performance, and Work Therapy
Yes. School anxiety counselling offers a supportive space for young people to explore their experiences, rebuild confidence, and feel more able to engage with school again.
Yes, I provide work related therapy in London as well as online. This includes support for work related stress, burnout, workplace anxiety, and confidence issues.
Performance anxiety often doesn’t go away on its own, but it is treatable and can be managed through therapy, particularly CBT.8