Anxiety at Work: Balancing Ambition and Well-Being

Work can be meaningful and fulfilling—but when workplace anxiety takes hold, even the simplest tasks can start to feel overwhelming. At Soma House Counselling & Wellness, we provide counselling for anxiety to help individuals understand how it impacts their performance, decision-making, and boundaries. Our goal is to restore calm, clarity, and confidence, ultimately improving mental health at work.

Many people who experience workplace anxiety are high achievers—responsible, motivated, and deeply invested in doing well. Yet, the same drive that fuels success can also create stress when your nervous system is constantly on alert. You might find yourself re-reading emails, worrying about others’ opinions, or doubting your competence, even when evidence shows you’re doing just fine. Anxiety at work can manifest as:

Decision paralysis & perfectionism: Small tasks feel high-stakes, leading to over-preparing, delaying, or avoiding decisions.

Focus & productivity dips: Mental “what-ifs” steal attention and energy, increasing burnout risk.

People-pleasing & boundary strain: The fear of disappointing others makes it hard to say “no,” even when you’re stretched too thin.

Many also experience imposter syndrome—the ongoing belief that their achievements are luck or timing rather than skill. Even after positive feedback or promotions, they fear being “found out.” This form of anxiety often hides behind professionalism and perfectionism, quietly eroding confidence and joy in work.

These reactions aren’t weaknesses—they’re your nervous system trying to protect you from perceived threats. However, if you're struggling with workplace anxiety, seeking counselling for anxiety can be a valuable step. When that alert state never turns off, it drains focus, creativity, and satisfaction, ultimately impacting your mental health at work.

Workplaces often reward behaviors that contribute to workplace anxiety—such as perfectionism, overextension, and constant availability. When you add tight deadlines, unclear expectations, or past experiences of criticism, your body may begin to perceive work as a danger signal rather than a place for growth. 

At Soma House, we understand that anxiety is not a flaw but a learned, adaptive response. Through our counselling for anxiety, we help you re-establish safety in your body and develop new ways of relating to work—rooted in self-trust instead of fear, ultimately supporting your mental health at work.

Our trauma-informed, evidence-based approach supports both mind and body, making it ideal for those seeking counselling for anxiety. Our counselling may include: 

Cognitive and Solution-Focused strategies to reframe unhelpful thoughts and self-criticism, particularly beneficial for managing workplace anxiety. 

EMDR therapy to reprocess distress linked to performance, failure, or past workplace experiences. 

Somatic techniques to release tension and cultivate calm, focused energy, which can significantly improve mental health at work. 

Boundary and assertiveness coaching to protect your time and mental health. 

Our goal isn’t to eliminate ambition—it’s to help you pursue it sustainably, from a grounded and confident place.

Name what’s happening: Remind yourself, 'My body is reacting to pressure, but I’m safe right now.' This awareness is essential for mental health at work, especially when dealing with workplace anxiety. Pause and breathe: A slow, full exhale can interrupt stress patterns and restore focus. Challenge anxious assumptions: Ask, 'Is this thought based on facts or fear?' or 'What evidence supports or challenges it?' This can be a helpful practice in counselling for anxiety. Set small boundaries: Consistent log-off times, breaks, or saying 'let me check my schedule' can preserve energy. End-of-day rituals: Closing your laptop, stretching, or stepping outside signals the body that it’s safe to rest.

You can be committed to your work without being consumed by it. Counselling for anxiety provides a safe space to build emotional regulation, resilience, and a renewed sense of confidence in who you are and what you do, especially when dealing with mental health at work. 

Book a session with Clinical Counsellor, Farnaz Farrokhi-Holmes, RCC, CCC—in-person in Nanaimo or virtually across British Columbia and other eligible provinces to address workplace anxiety.