--- title: "Feeling Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start | CBT & Counselling Kent" description: "When anxiety and stress feel overwhelming, it’s hard to know what to do next. If you’re in Maidstone and feeling stuck, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy offers…" lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/blog/overwhelmed-where-to-start/#article", "headline": "Feeling Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start", "description": "When anxiety and stress feel overwhelming, it’s hard to know what to do next. If you’re in Maidstone and feeling stuck, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy offers a clear, practical way to find your footing again.", "image": "https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/youre-overwhelmed-dont-know-where-hkyz2z.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80", "datePublished": "2026-07-28T10:20:08.723+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-07-28T10:20:36.416865+00:00", "wordCount": 408, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "CBT & Counselling Kent" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/#organization" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/blog/overwhelmed-where-to-start/#webpage" }, "isAccessibleForFree": true, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".article-intro", "article p:first-of-type" ] }, "keywords": "CBT & Counselling Kent, anxiety help maidstone, stress management kent, cognitive behavioural therapy, cbt maidstone, overwhelmed" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Feeling Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start" } ] } ] --- [![CBT & Counselling Kent](/assets/logo-cbt-y7P4OEol.png)](/) - [Home](/) - [What To Expect](/what-to-expect) - We Can Help With - [Young Person Therapy](/problems/teenager-young-person-counselling) - [Our Therapists](/therapists) [Locations](/locations)- [Fees](/fees) - [Reviews](/reviews) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Contact](/contact) [Login](/auth)[Book Now](/find-your-therapist) 4.9 Rated Highly Qualified & Experienced Therapists Sessions Available Mon–Sun 8am–9pm [hello@cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk ](mailto:hello@cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk)[Call us: 01233 438 217 ](tel:01233438217)[Book Now](/find-your-therapist) 1. [Home](/) - [Blog](/blog) - Feeling Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start [Back to Blog](/blog) # Feeling Overwhelmed & Don’t Know Where to Start July 28, 2026 ![A ball of teal wool with a clear cube and wooden spool on a wooden surface.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/youre-overwhelmed-dont-know-where-hkyz2z.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) It’s not just one thing, is it? It’s the constant, low-level hum of worry. The mental to-do list that never seems to get shorter. That feeling of being stretched thin, trying to keep everything together while quietly feeling like you might be coming apart. When you feel this way, advice like “just relax” or “don’t worry so much” isn’t just unhelpful; it can feel frustrating. You would if you could. But you’re stuck in a loop of thoughts and feelings that leaves you exhausted, and the idea of figuring a way out feels like another impossible task on the list. This is a feeling we see in people seeking [private therapy in Kent](https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/blog/private-counselling-kent). They often say their own mind feels like the hardest place to be, and they just want a clear path forward. A map, of sorts. ### A Practical Map for Your Mind This is where [Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)](https://cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk/blog/what-is-cbt) can be so useful. Rather than getting lost in the fog, CBT gives us a structure. It’s a practical and collaborative approach that helps us understand the connections between our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions. It’s about asking: what’s actually happening here? What thoughts are making this feeling of anxiety worse? And what small, different action could I take right now? For many clients we work with in Maidstone, this structured approach is a relief. It moves therapy from a vague, uncertain concept into a set of tools and techniques for effective stress management. It’s less about endlessly talking about the problem and more about building skills to manage it. ### What Does CBT Look Like in Practice? In a session, we might focus on a specific situation that made you anxious last week. We’d gently unpick the automatic thoughts that came with it – perhaps a belief that you’d failed, or a fear of being judged. These thoughts often operate under the radar, fuelling our anxiety without us even realising. We then work together to look at those thoughts with a bit more perspective. Are they 100% true? Is there another way to see the situation? This isn’t about forced positivity; it’s about finding a more balanced and realistic viewpoint. It helps break the cycle where saying you’re ‘fine’ doesn’t feel fine at all. This is the core of cognitive behavioural therapy. By changing our thought patterns, we can change how we feel and what we do. It provides the 'how' when 'just do it' feels impossible. ### Anxiety Help in Maidstone & Across Kent If you Tags: CBT & Counselling Kent anxiety help maidstone stress management kent cognitive behavioural therapy cbt maidstone overwhelmed Share: [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk%2Fblog%2Foverwhelmed-where-to-start&text=Feeling%20Overwhelmed%20%26%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Know%20Where%20to%20Start)[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk%2Fblog%2Foverwhelmed-where-to-start)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk%2Fblog%2Foverwhelmed-where-to-start&title=Feeling%20Overwhelmed%20%26%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Know%20Where%20to%20Start) ## Explore more from CBT & Counselling Kent - [All blog articles](/blog) - [Meet our therapists](/therapists) - [Help me choose a therapist](/find-your-therapist) - [What to expect from CBT](/what-to-expect) - [Session fees](/fees) - [Frequently asked questions](/faq) - [Practice locations in Kent](/locations) - [Contact us](/contact) ## More Articles ![Crumpled train ticket for Dover Priory to London Charing Cross on pavement, blurred people in background.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/signs-you-are-burnt-out-y7tx68.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) September 1, 2026 [ ### Beyond Tired: The Real Signs You’re Burnt Out ](/blog/signs-you-are-burnt-out) It's more than just stress or tiredness. Burnout is a deep emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that leaves you feeling empty and detached. If you're in Kent and feel like you're running on fumes, this is for you. [Read Article](/blog/signs-you-are-burnt-out) ![Laptop on rustic desk with video call, countryside view, headphones, diffuser.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/online-counselling-in-kent-o3ngfa.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) August 27, 2026 [ ### Is Online Counselling in Kent as Good as Meeting in Person? ](/blog/online-counselling-in-kent) It's a question we hear a lot: does online counselling really work? If you're looking for support in Kent but are unsure about therapy via a screen, this is for you. We explore the reality of how it works and why it can be just as effective. [Read Article](/blog/online-counselling-in-kent) ![Winding dirt path through a sun-dappled woodland, bordered by ferns and trees.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/what-cbt-counselling-5yqco6.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) August 24, 2026 [ ### What CBT Counselling Actually Looks Like in Kent ](/blog/what-cbt-counselling) Wondering what to expect from CBT? If you're feeling overwhelmed and searching for practical support in Kent, this can help you understand what CBT counselling services really involve and if they are the right next step for you. [Read Article](/blog/what-cbt-counselling) [![CBT & Counselling Kent](/assets/logo-cbt-y7P4OEol.png)](/) Professional CBT & Counselling services across Kent. Supporting individuals and couples with a wide range of mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. ### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [Our Therapists](/therapists) - [Find The Right Therapist For You](/find-your-therapist) - [Contact Us](/contact) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Join Our Team](/join) - [Therapy in Maidstone](/cbt-counselling/maidstone) - [Therapy in Folkestone](/cbt-counselling/folkestone) - [Therapy in Sittingbourne](/cbt-counselling/sittingbourne) - [Therapy in Kent](/therapy-kent) ### Problems We Help With - [Anxiety](/problems/anxiety) - [Young Person Therapy](/problems/teenager-young-person-counselling) - [Bereavement](/problems/bereavement-counselling) - [Depression](/problems/depression) - [Anger Management](/problems/anger-management) - [Jealousy & Insecurity](/problems/jealousy-insecurity) ### Contact Us - 14 practices across Kent - [hello@cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk](mailto:hello@cbtandcounsellingkent.co.uk) - [01233 438 217](tel:+441233438217) © 2026 CBT & Counselling Kent. All rights reserved. · [Part of The Global Therapy Group](/our-therapy-network) [Terms & Conditions](/terms)[Privacy Policy](/privacy)[AI reference](/llms.txt)Cookie Settings ### We value your privacy We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. Read our [Privacy Policy](/privacy) for more information. Accept AllEssential OnlyCustomise