Anxiety & Overthinking

“You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.”

— David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

 

Tired of living in your head?

You know the feeling. That constant mental noise that won't shut off. Lying awake at 2am replaying a conversation from three days ago. Overanalyzing every text message, every decision, every interaction. The "what ifs" that spiral into worst-case scenarios before you've even finished your morning coffee.

Maybe you're the high-achiever who looks like they have it all together on the outside, but inside you're exhausted from the constant pressure and comparison. Or you're stuck in analysis paralysis – you know what you need to do, but the overthinking keeps you frozen.

You're not broken. Your brain is just stuck in overdrive, and we can work with that.

What you're actually experiencing

The worry loops: Your mind grabs onto a thought and won't let go. Round and round, trying to think your way out of feeling anxious, but somehow it just makes it worse.

The harsh inner critic: That voice that tells you you're not good enough, you're going to mess it up, everyone's judging you. It sounds so convincing because it sounds like you.

The perfectionism and comparison: Nothing you do feels good enough. You're constantly measuring yourself against everyone else and coming up short. One mistake replays in your mind for weeks.

The physical symptoms: Tight chest, racing heart, shallow breathing, tension in your shoulders. Your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode even when there's no real danger.

The exhaustion: You're tired of managing it all. Tired of performing. Tired of trying to control the uncontrollable. You just want to feel calm and present again.

 
 

Here's what's possible

You can learn to quiet the mental noise. Not by fighting it or trying to think your way out (that doesn't work), but by learning to work with your mind and body in new ways.

Breaking free from the loops

We'll unpack where the anxiety actually comes from – the patterns, the triggers, the old beliefs running the show in the background. Once you see them clearly, they start to lose their grip.

You'll learn to:

  • Ground yourself in the present moment instead of spiraling into the future

  • Catch the worry loops early and interrupt them before they take over

  • Distinguish between helpful problem-solving and unhelpful rumination

  • Let thoughts pass through without getting hooked by them

Transforming the inner critic

That harsh voice isn't the truth about you – it's usually old messages you absorbed somewhere along the way. We'll work on recognizing when it shows up and replacing self-criticism with self-compassion.

You'll discover how to:

  • Notice the critic without believing everything it says

  • Challenge perfectionism and unrealistic standards

  • Develop a kinder, more balanced inner dialogue

  • Build genuine confidence that isn't dependent on being "perfect"

Getting out of your head and into your life

Anxiety keeps you stuck in your head, constantly monitoring and analyzing. We'll help you drop back into your body and reconnect with the present moment – where life actually happens.

You'll learn practical tools to:

  • Calm your nervous system when anxiety spikes

  • Breathe easier (literally and metaphorically)

  • Feel more grounded and in control

  • Actually enjoy moments instead of just surviving them

What changes look like

Imagine waking up without that immediate wave of dread. Making decisions without second-guessing yourself for hours. Having a tough conversation without replaying it 47 times afterward. Feeling your shoulders relax. Breathing deeper.

You'll still have thoughts – you're human. But they won't run your life anymore. You'll have space between the thought and your reaction. You'll feel more like yourself again.

Most clients tell me they feel lighter after our sessions. Like they can breathe easier. Like something just clicked into place. That quiet mental noise? It gets quieter.

You don't have to white-knuckle your way through life anymore. There's another way, and we'll find it together.

 

Ready to start?

If you're 18-50 and this resonates, reach out. Real change begins with connection. Send me a brief email about what brings you to counselling and what you hope to get out of it. I'm usually back in touch within one business day.

Email: ben@chatwithben.co.nz

Location: 50B Campbell Road, Mount Maunganui or online.

“Reaching out was the hardest part. Everything after that was easier than expected.”
– Chris, 38