What is worrying you? - Harley Street Practitioners

Important Note

These are simplified descriptions. Each issue is far more complex and shaped by personal context and lived experience.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Abandonment

A deep, often lifelong fear of being left or emotionally neglected—stemming from physical or emotional loss early in life—that impacts trust and relationships.

Abortion

The emotional and psychological challenges (e.g., grief, relief, conflict) experienced before, during, or after terminating a pregnancy.

Abuse

Harm inflicted through physical, emotional, sexual, or financial means, often resulting in trauma, low self-esteem, and difficulty trusting others.

Academic Related Issues

Stress, anxiety, or difficulty with study skills, time management, or performance that interferes with academic success.

Addiction (Gambling, Sex, Internet etc.)

A compulsive behaviour or substance use pattern that people continue despite harmful consequences and loss of control.

Addiction - Drugs (Cannabis, Alcohol etc.)

A chronic brain disorder characterised by compulsive drug seeking and use, with physical dependence or tolerance.

ADHD

A neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning.

Adoption

Complex emotions and identity issues experienced by adoptees or adoptive parents related to separation, belonging, and attachment.

Alzheimers/Dementia

Memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes that disrupt daily functioning and strain relationships.

Anger Management

Difficulties controlling intense anger that leads to destructive behaviours, guilt, or relationship problems.

Anxiety

Excessive worry or fear that is difficult to control and creates physical symptoms, impacting daily life.

Arranged Marriage

Stress or identity issues arising from partnerships arranged by families, particularly when cultural expectations clash with personal choice.

Attachments Issues

Problems forming secure emotional bonds in relationships, often due to inconsistent caregiving in childhood.

Autism

A neurodevelopmental spectrum characterised by challenges in social communication, sensitivity to environmental change and restricted or repetitive behaviours.

Baby Loss

Grief, trauma, guilt, and identity struggles following miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.

Behaviour Problems

Persistent defiant, disruptive, or oppositional behavior in children or adults, often impairing relationships or functioning.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder marked by alternating episodes of depression and (hypo)mania, which significantly impact mood and behaviour.

Blended Family

Emotional and relational stress experienced when stepfamilies merge, as roles and loyalties adapt.

Body Dysmorphia / Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws that cause distress or impair daily life; BDD is the clinical diagnosis.

Borderline Personality Disorder

A mental health disorder featuring emotional instability, fear of abandonment, impulsivity, and rapidly shifting self-image or relationships.

Brain Injury

Physical or functional impairment following trauma or illness in the brain, resulting in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral changes.

Break-up/Divorce/Separation

Intense grief, loss of identity, and adjustment difficulties experienced during the end of a significant relationship.

Bullying

Trauma from repeated targeted aggression—verbal, physical, or social—that can lead to anxiety, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms.

Burnout

Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy arising from chronic workplace or caregiving stress.

Cancer

Emotional distress, existential fear, and relationship strain that accompany a life-threatening diagnosis or treatment process.

Career Counselling

Self-exploration and guidance support aimed at finding meaningful work and coping with vocational indecision or change.

Carer Support

Emotional, physical, and psychological strain on those caring for chronically ill or disabled loved ones, often leading to burnout.

Child and Teens

Developmental, emotional, and behavioural issues specific to children and adolescents, including identity, family, or peer-related concerns.

Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)

When a caregiver consistently fails to respond to a child’s emotional needs, leading to poor emotional awareness or self-worth.

Childhood Related Issues

Emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges stemming from experiences in childhood—like trauma, neglect, parenting style, or socialization—that impact current functioning.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

A serious neurological and immune-related condition marked by overwhelming, prolonged fatigue not alleviated by rest, with cognitive difficulties and post-exertional malaise.

Chronic Health Issues

Ongoing physical health conditions (like diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders) that require long-term management and often affect mental wellbeing.

Chronic Mental Health Issues

Long-standing psychological conditions (such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders) that significantly disrupt daily life ongoingly.

Chronic Pain/Illness

Physical pain or illness persisting for months or years, often accompanied by emotional distress, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life.

Climate Anxiety

A chronic fear, grief, or distress about environmental change and future ecological threats, which can impair daily life but also motivate advocacy.

Communication Difficulties

Struggles to express or interpret verbal or nonverbal messages effectively, leading to misunderstandings and relational strain.

Complex PTSD

A trauma-related disorder from sustained, harmful experiences (often in childhood) marked by PTSD symptoms plus problems with emotion regulation, self-worth, and relationships.

Confidence and Self-esteem

Low beliefs in one’s abilities and self-worth, often causing avoidance of risks, self-doubt, and difficulty pursuing goals.

Couple Counselling

Therapeutic work aimed at improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening emotional connection in romantic partnerships.

Cultural Clashes

Stress or conflict arising when differing cultural values, norms, or identities clash within individuals or between people.

Culture

The shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviours of a group that shape identity, expectations, and interpersonal dynamics.

Depression

A mood disorder characterised by persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and physical symptoms like fatigue or sleep changes.

Dietary Concerns

Anxieties or issues related to eating, nutrition, body weight, or dietary beliefs that may impact health or emotional wellbeing.

Disabilities

Physical, sensory, intellectual, or neurodevelopmental impairments that affect participation in daily activities and often involve social and psychological adaptation.

Discrimination

Psychological harm and social exclusion experienced due to prejudice based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, or other identity factors.

Dissociation

A mental state involving a disconnection from thoughts, identity, memory, or reality, often as a defence against trauma.

Dual Diagnosis

The co-occurrence of a mental health disorder (like depression or anxiety) and substance use disorder, complicating treatment approaches.

Dyslexia/Dyspraxia

Neurodevelopmental disorders; dyslexia affects reading and writing skills, while dyspraxia impairs motor coordination and organisation.

Eating Disorder

A psychiatric disorder involving unhealthy and persistent eating behaviours—like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating—that severely affect physical and mental health.

Existential Dilemma

Deep concerns about meaning, purpose, freedom, or mortality that can lead to existential anxiety or paralysis.

Family Issues

Patterns of conflict, communication breakdown, role confusion, or emotional distance within families that impact individual wellbeing.

Feeling Lost

A sense of confusion, emptiness, or lack of direction in life—often tied to identity uncertainty, life transitions, or waning purpose.

Gender Dysphoria

Distress experienced when one’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth, impacting emotional and daily functioning.

Gender Identity

One’s deeply felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, central to personal identity and social interaction.

Generational Clashes

Frictions between age groups due to differing values, communication styles, or expectations shaped by historical and cultural influences.

Goal Setting

Clarifying aspirations and creating actionable plans to pursue desired changes or achievements in life.

Grief/Bereavement/Loss

Emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to losing someone or something significant, which may include sadness, anger, guilt, or meaning-making.

Guilt

A self-conscious emotion involving regret or responsibility for a real or perceived wrongdoing, sometimes persisting excessively.

Hallucination

A sensory perception (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.) occurring without external stimulus.

Health and Nutrition

Guidance on balanced eating, lifestyle habits, and nutritional needs to support physical health, energy, and mental wellbeing.

Health Anxiety

Intense, persistent worry about having or developing a serious illness, often despite medical reassurance, and marked by compulsive checking behaviours.

High Sensitivity

A trait involving deep processing of sensory input and high emotional reactivity, which can both enrich experience and lead to overstimulation or overwhelm.

HIV/AIDS

Psychological challenges—including stigma, grief, and fear—stemming from an HIV diagnosis or living with AIDS.

Hormonal Imbalance

Disruptions in hormone levels that can affect mood, energy, and physical health, leading to emotional or cognitive symptoms.

IBS / Gut / Stomach Issues

Chronic gastrointestinal problems like IBS that cause physical discomfort and can impact mental health through the gut-brain connection.

Identity

Exploration of one’s sense of self, including values, roles, and life purpose, often during periods of change or uncertainty.

Infidelity

Emotional trauma and trust issues resulting from a partner’s violation of fidelity, often leading to relationship distress.

Jealousy

Emotion arising from perceived threat to a valued relationship, often rooted in insecurity or fear of abandonment.

Lack of Focus

Difficulty concentrating on tasks, often due to external distractions, internal stress, or conditions like ADHD.

Leadership

Counselling support aimed at strengthening skills like decision-making, communication, conflict resolution, and resilience in leadership roles.

Learning Difficulties / Disabilities / Disorders

Neurodevelopmental conditions such as dyslexia or dyspraxia that hinder learning or coordination despite normal intelligence.

LGBTQ+ Related Issues

Mental and emotional challenges linked to sexual orientation or gender identity, including discrimination, coming-out stress, and community support needs .

Life Changes / Choices / Crisis

Psychological adjustments, uncertainty, or identity questioning that arise during major life transitions or pivotal decisions.

Loss of Meaning / Meaning in Life / Existential

Distress stemming from a perceived void of purpose, prompting introspection about life’s significance or direction.

Mediation (Work/Family)

Facilitated communication between parties to resolve conflicts in work or family settings, promoting understanding and agreement.

Men’s Issues

Gender-specific concerns such as societal roles, emotional expression, identity, mental health, and relationship challenges.

Menopause

Emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms accompanying the transition out of reproductive years, including mood change, sleep and metabolic effects.

Mid-Life Crisis

A period of personal reevaluation and emotional turmoil during middle adulthood, often sparked by ageing, unmet goals, or life changes.

Mindfulness

The practice of focused, non-judgmental attention to the present moment to reduce stress and enhance emotional resilience.

Miscarriage

Grief, guilt, and profound emotional loss following the spontaneous end of a pregnancy.

Motivational Interventions

Therapeutic approaches designed to enhance motivation and drive toward desired behaviours or personal goals.

Narcissistic Abuse

Chronic emotional manipulation, control, or devaluation in relationships with narcissistic individuals, often leaving long-term trauma and confusion.

Nervous Breakdown

Non-medical term depicting an acute mental health crisis marked by extreme stress, inability to function in daily life, and requiring immediate intervention.

Overthinking / Worries

Repetitive, excessive thought patterns focused on “what ifs” and uncertainties that amplify stress and hinder decision-making.

Panic Attacks

Sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes, often accompanied by physical symptoms like palpitations and chest pain, yet are not physically dangerous.

Paranoia

An irrational, persistent distrust or suspicion of others’ motives, often without sufficient basis, interfering with relationships and functioning.

Parenting

Emotional, behavioural, or relationship challenges that arise in raising children, such as discipline, boundaries, attachment, and parental stress.

Peer Relationship

Struggles in forming or maintaining friendships due to issues with trust, social skills, belonging, or peer pressure.

Perfectionism

A pattern of setting unrealistically high standards and harsh self-criticism, often impairing performance and wellbeing.

Personal Development

The process of self-improvement and growth across emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal domains, guided by clear goals and reflection.

Personality Disorders

Enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate markedly from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment.

Phobias

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations that lead to avoidance and impair daily life.

Post‑Psychiatric Recovery

Adjustment challenges and emotional rebuilding following discharge from psychiatric care, including reintegration into daily life and managing stigma.

Pre/Post Surgery

Emotional responses such as anxiety, fear, or stress that occur before and after surgical procedures, affecting recovery and adjustment.

Pre/Postnatal Depression

Mood disturbances ranging from mild to severe that occur during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth, involving sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness.

Pregnancy and Birth

Emotional and relational challenges specific to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum adaptation, including physical and identity changes.

Premarital Counselling

Therapeutic preparation for marriage, addressing expectations, communication, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, and values alignment.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A severe form of PMS with prominent mood swings, irritability, depression, and physical symptoms that disrupt daily life before menstruation.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

A recurring cluster of physical and emotional symptoms—like bloating, fatigue, and mood changes—that occur before menstruation.

Procrastination

The habitual avoidance of tasks despite knowing the negative consequences, often fuelled by anxiety, perfectionism, or lack of motivation.

Psychosomatic

Real physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by emotional or psychological stress—such as headaches, hypertension, or digestive issues.

PTSD

A trauma-related condition marked by intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours and negative mood following exposure to a traumatic event.

Race and Racial Identity

Psychological effects and self-concept shaped by experiences of race, including navigating identity, discrimination, and belonging in different social contexts.

Racism

Emotional, psychological, and relational harm caused by experiences of bias, prejudice, or systemic discrimination based on race.

Rejection

Emotional pain and lowered self-esteem resulting from perceived dismissal, exclusion, or neglect by others.

Relationship Issues

Difficulties in romantic, familial, or social connections, such as trust breaches, communication breakdowns, or unmet emotional needs.

Religion

Challenges related to faith, spiritual beliefs, guilt, conflict between religious values and identity, or religious coping mechanisms.

Retirement

Psychosocial adjustment to the transition of leaving work life, including identity shifts, purpose-finding, and coping with change.

Schizophrenia

A serious mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking, and impaired social functioning.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year (usually winter), linked to reduced daylight and changes in mood and energy.

Self-care

Deliberate actions and practices to maintain personal health, reduce stress, and nurture emotional resilience.

Separation Anxiety

Excessive distress and worry about being apart from attachment figures, which can occur in both children and adults.

Setting Goals

The collaborative process between client and counselor to define clear, motivating objectives and steps—often using frameworks like SMART or GROW—to support growth and track progress.

Sex Problems

Difficulties with sexual desire, function, or satisfaction that cause personal distress or relationship strain.

Sexual Assault/ Rape

Trauma arising from non-consensual sexual acts, often involving long-term emotional, psychological, and trust-related difficulties.

Sleeping Issues

A broad term for challenges like low libido, erectile dysfunction, pain, or arousal issues, which can cause anxiety and affect intimate relationships.

Social Anxiety

Intense fear or discomfort in social situations, marked by worry about judgment or embarrassment that interferes with daily life.

Special Learning Disability

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia and dyspraxia that cause persistent difficulties in specific academic or motor skills despite normal intelligence.

Spirituality

Questions or exploration related to personal beliefs, meaning, purpose, connection, or experiences transcending the material aspects of life.

Stop Smoking

Support aimed at quitting tobacco use, addressing addiction, habit, and withdrawal through behavioral strategies and coping skills.

Stress

A state of mental or emotional strain from pressure, manifesting in physical symptoms (like headaches or sleep issues) and impacting daily wellbeing.

Terminal Illness

Facing a life-limiting medical diagnosis, sparking grief, fear, meaning-making, and complex emotional and relational needs.

Tourette’s

A neurological condition marked by involuntary motor and vocal tics that can cause social and emotional challenges.

Transitioning

The process (social, medical, legal) through which transgender individuals align their outward identity with their internal gender, often involving emotional and systemic support.

Trauma/PTSD

A response to experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or violent event, marked by intrusive memories, avoidance, and negative mood or cognition changes.

Vaginismus

An involuntary spasming of pelvic-floor muscles around the vagina that makes penetration painful or impossible, often linked to anxiety or past trauma, and treated via both physical and psychological methods.