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Persistent worry, physical tension, panic or a sense of dread can make everyday life feel overwhelming. If anxiety is controlling your decisions, your sleep or your relationships, specialist treatment can help — not just to manage symptoms, but to address what is driving them.

At PROMIS, we treat anxiety as part of the whole picture — including any co-occurring depression, trauma, or addiction. Our programmes are designed for people whose anxiety is complex, long-standing, or has not responded fully to previous treatment.

Call us confidentially on 0207 581 8222 (London) or 01304 841 700 (Kent), or complete our secure enquiry form — no obligation to book.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human response to perceived threat or uncertainty. In small doses, it can be helpful — keeping you alert before an important event or prompting you to prepare for a challenge. But when anxiety becomes persistent, disproportionate to the situation, or impossible to switch off, it crosses the line from a useful signal into a condition that needs professional support.

Clinically, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the UK, affecting millions of people at any given time. They are also among the most treatable — yet many people wait years before seeking specialist help, often because they believe they should be able to manage on their own or because they do not recognise what they are experiencing as a diagnosable condition.

What distinguishes an anxiety disorder from everyday worry is its persistence, its intensity, and its impact on daily functioning. The nervous system becomes stuck in a pattern of hypervigilance — scanning for danger even when no real threat is present. Over time, this can affect sleep, concentration, physical health, relationships, and your ability to function at work or at home.

Types of anxiety we treat

Anxiety presents differently from person to person. At PROMIS, we have experience treating a range of anxiety-related conditions, including:

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Characterised by persistent, excessive worry about a wide range of everyday situations — work, health, finances, relationships — that is difficult to control. People with GAD often describe feeling on edge, restless, or unable to relax, even when they know logically that their worry is disproportionate. Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping are common.

Panic disorder

Sudden, intense episodes of fear that come on without warning — often accompanied by a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or a feeling that something catastrophic is about to happen. Between episodes, people often develop a persistent fear of the next attack, which can lead to avoidance of places or situations where panic has occurred before.

Social anxiety

An intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinised in social situations. This goes well beyond shyness — social anxiety can make it difficult to attend meetings, eat in public, make phone calls, or maintain friendships. Many people develop elaborate avoidance strategies that gradually shrink their world.

Health anxiety

Persistent preoccupation with the possibility of having or developing a serious illness, despite medical reassurance. People with health anxiety often find themselves checking their body for symptoms, researching conditions online, or seeking repeated medical tests — which provide temporary relief but ultimately feed the cycle of worry.

Phobias

Intense, irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or activities — such as flying, heights, enclosed spaces, or medical procedures. The fear is out of proportion to any actual danger, and the person usually recognises this, but avoidance becomes automatic. When phobias restrict daily life or are linked to broader anxiety patterns, specialist treatment can make a significant difference.

Obsessive-compulsive patterns

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that drive repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing the distress those thoughts cause. OCD-related anxiety can be deeply distressing and time-consuming, often hidden from others because of shame or misunderstanding about the condition.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety affects the mind, the body, and behaviour. It is not simply a matter of worrying too much — it is a whole-system response that can be physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming.

Psychological symptoms

Persistent worry or dread that is difficult to control
Racing or intrusive thoughts
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Irritability or feeling on edge
A sense that something bad is about to happen
Feeling detached or unreal (depersonalisation or derealisation)

Physical symptoms

Muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and jaw
Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
Shortness of breath or a sensation of tightness in the chest
Stomach problems — nausea, churning, IBS-like symptoms
Difficulty sleeping or waking with a sense of dread
Dizziness, headaches, or fatigue
Sweating, trembling, or tingling sensations

Behavioural symptoms

Avoiding situations, places, or people that trigger anxiety
Seeking constant reassurance from others
Difficulty leaving the house or being in crowds
Using alcohol, drugs, or other substances to manage feelings
Withdrawing from social life or avoiding responsibilities
Checking behaviours — repeatedly confirming doors are locked, emails have been sent, or symptoms are not serious

When anxiety needs specialist help

Many people live with anxiety for years, adapting their routines around it — cancelling plans, avoiding social situations, relying on alcohol or medication to get through the day, or simply pushing through with sheer effort. It is common to assume that this is just how life is, or that you should be able to cope better.

Specialist treatment is worth considering when:

Anxiety is persistent and does not improve with time or self-help strategies
You have tried therapy or medication without lasting improvement
Anxiety is significantly affecting your work, relationships, or physical health
You are using alcohol, drugs, or other behaviours to manage your symptoms
Anxiety exists alongside depression, trauma, or addiction
You function well outwardly but feel overwhelmed internally

When anxiety does not switch off despite your best efforts, it is usually because the nervous system has become stuck in a pattern of hypervigilance that willpower alone cannot resolve. Specialist treatment works by addressing the underlying drivers — not just the surface symptoms.

Anxiety and co-occurring conditions

In our clinical experience, anxiety rarely exists in isolation. The majority of people we treat at PROMIS are dealing with anxiety alongside one or more other conditions — and it is this overlap that often makes standard treatment insufficient.

Anxiety and depression — these two conditions frequently occur together. Persistent anxiety can lead to exhaustion, hopelessness, and withdrawal, which over time can develop into depression. Treating one without addressing the other often produces limited results.

Anxiety and trauma — many anxiety disorders have their roots in earlier traumatic experiences, even when the connection is not immediately obvious. The nervous system can remain in a state of high alert long after the original threat has passed. Trauma-informed therapy is often essential for lasting improvement.

Anxiety and addiction — alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, and other substances are commonly used to manage anxiety symptoms. What begins as self-medication can quickly develop into dependence, creating a cycle where the substance use worsens the anxiety it was meant to relieve. At PROMIS, we treat both conditions together rather than asking you to address one before the other.

Anxiety and personality difficulties — for some people, anxiety is closely linked to patterns of relating to others, managing emotions, or coping with uncertainty that are deep-seated and longstanding. Our approach recognises these complexities and works with the whole person, not just the presenting symptom.

How we treat anxiety at PROMIS

Treatment begins with a thorough clinical assessment to understand your symptoms, history, and what is actually maintaining your anxiety. We look at the full picture — not just the anxiety itself, but how it connects to your relationships, your physical health, your life history, and any other conditions you may be dealing with.

From there, we create a personalised treatment plan that may draw on several of the following approaches:

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is particularly effective when anxiety is connected to distressing experiences or memories that have not been fully processed. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they no longer trigger the same intensity of emotional and physical response. It is recommended by NICE for trauma-related conditions and is increasingly used for anxiety disorders with a traumatic component.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is an integrative approach that works with the different parts of your internal experience — including the protective parts that carry anxiety, which are often rooted in earlier life. Rather than trying to suppress or override anxious thoughts, IFS helps you understand why those parts developed and what they are trying to protect you from. This can be particularly helpful for people whose anxiety has been present since childhood or who feel conflicted internally.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the NICE-recommended first-line treatment for most anxiety disorders. It works by helping you identify and challenge the thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours that maintain anxiety. At PROMIS, CBT is used as part of an integrated plan rather than in isolation — complementing deeper therapeutic work where appropriate. It is highly structured and typically produces measurable improvements within 12 to 20 sessions.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a skills-based therapy that focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. It is particularly useful for people whose anxiety is accompanied by intense emotions, impulsivity, or difficulty managing relationships. DBT teaches practical, concrete techniques that you can apply in daily life.

Somatic and body-based work

Anxiety lives in the body as much as in the mind. Muscle tension, shallow breathing, a racing heart, and a churning stomach are not just symptoms — they are part of the mechanism through which the nervous system maintains anxiety. Body-based approaches work directly with these physical patterns, helping to regulate the nervous system and reduce the physiological intensity of anxiety. This is often an important complement to talking therapies.

Group therapy and psychoeducation

Group work provides practical skills training alongside the experience of shared understanding with others who are going through similar difficulties. For many people, learning that their experience is common — and that recovery is possible — is itself an important part of treatment. Psychoeducation helps you understand how anxiety works at a physiological and psychological level, which can reduce the fear of the symptoms themselves.

Psychiatric assessment and medication

Where appropriate, our consultant psychiatrists can assess whether medication may be helpful alongside therapy. This might include SSRIs, SNRIs, or other medications depending on your specific presentation. Medication is always used to support the therapeutic process, not to replace it — and our psychiatrists work closely with your therapy team to ensure a coordinated approach.

Many people who come to us have tried therapy before and found it helpful up to a point. Our approach is designed to reach the deeper layers that standard treatment may not address.

What treatment looks like

PROMIS offers several treatment settings, and we will recommend the one that best matches your clinical needs, personal circumstances, and preferences.

Residential treatment

Available at our London (South Kensington) and Kent (Sandwich) clinics. Residential treatment provides an immersive, structured environment where you can focus entirely on your recovery without the pressures of daily life. A typical day includes individual therapy, group sessions, psychoeducation, and time for rest and reflection. Programmes are usually two to four weeks, though this is tailored to individual need.

Day patient programme

A structured daytime programme at either our London or Kent clinic, returning home in the evenings. This offers many of the same therapeutic components as residential treatment while allowing you to maintain family responsibilities or other commitments. Available several days per week, with the schedule agreed during your assessment.

Outpatient and online therapy

Regular individual sessions at our London or Kent clinics, or via secure video link for those who cannot attend in person. Outpatient treatment is suitable for people whose anxiety is significant but who do not require the intensive structure of residential or day care. Sessions are typically weekly or twice weekly.

What happens when you contact us

An initial conversation — to understand your situation and whether PROMIS is the right fit. This is informal, confidential, and there is no pressure to proceed. You can call on behalf of yourself or someone you care about.
A comprehensive assessment — with a suitable clinician and, if needed, a psychiatric review. We take time to understand your full history, not just your current symptoms, so that we can recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.
A clear recommendation — including the treatment setting we suggest, the likely duration, the therapies involved, and the fees. We aim to be transparent about what treatment involves so that you can make an informed decision.

Aftercare and ongoing support

Recovery from anxiety does not end when a treatment programme finishes. The skills and insights gained during therapy need to be practised and reinforced in everyday life — and it is normal to encounter setbacks along the way.

PROMIS provides structured aftercare to support the transition back to daily life. This may include ongoing individual therapy sessions, access to support groups, and a clear relapse prevention plan developed with your clinician before you leave treatment. Our team remains available to you after your programme ends — if difficulties arise, you can reach out without needing to start the process again from scratch.

Why choose PROMIS

Family-run and CQC registered since 1987 — one of the UK’s longest-established private treatment providers, founded by someone with lived experience of recovery.
Dual diagnosis specialists — we treat anxiety alongside depression, trauma, addiction, and other co-occurring conditions because in our experience, these rarely exist in isolation.
Small patient numbers — personalised attention from senior clinicians, not a conveyor belt model.
Named therapeutic approaches — EMDR, IFS, CBT, DBT, somatic work — not vague promises of “holistic” treatment.
Rapid access — assessment and treatment available quickly, without NHS-style waiting lists.
Flexible settings — residential, day patient, outpatient, and online treatment available at our London and Kent clinics.
Structured aftercare — ongoing support after your programme ends, with a clear relapse prevention plan.

Speak to our team

If anxiety is affecting your daily life and you would like to explore treatment options, we are here to help. Our team can answer your questions, explain what treatment involves, and help you decide whether PROMIS is the right fit — with no pressure to commit.

You can also call on behalf of someone else — a partner, family member, or friend. We are happy to have an initial conversation and offer guidance, even if the person concerned is not yet ready to seek help themselves.

Call us confidentially on 0207 581 8222 (London) or 01304 841 700 (Kent), or complete our secure enquiry form.

If you are in crisis

PROMIS is not an emergency service. If you feel unable to stay safe, please contact NHS 111 (mental health option), your local A&E, or your local crisis team. If PROMIS is not the best fit, we will signpost you to appropriate services where possible.