Psychotherapy for Overthinking in Basingstoke
Understand Why You Cannot Stop Going Over Things, and Start Trusting Your Decisions
Overthinking can turn ordinary things, such as a text message, a decision or a conversation, into hours of going over what happened or what might happen.
Psychotherapy for overthinking in Basingstoke can help you understand what is behind it, especially when it comes with worry, self-doubt, perfectionism or a strong need to feel in control.
When Overthinking Affects Everyday Life
You may:
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Replay conversations and wonder what you said wrong.
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Find it hard to decide anything without going through every possible outcome.
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Expect problems before they happen, or ask other people to reassure you before you act.
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Lie awake at night going over the day or worrying about the next one.
Psychotherapy for Overthinking in Basingstoke
Overthinking is often an attempt to stop something going wrong: a mistake, being criticised, someone being disappointed in you. Going over it again can feel like protection and may bring a few minutes of relief, but the worry comes back and you end up doing it all again.
My approach combines psychodynamic psychotherapy, which looks at how your past experiences affect how you handle things today, with somatic awareness, which means paying attention to what happens in your body when you are unsure about something.
Our work focuses on:
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Looking at what you are afraid of: getting it wrong, being criticised, upsetting someone, or not being in control, and where that fear comes from.
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Noticing what you do about it: rereading a message five times, asking three people what they think, going back over a conversation in the shower, drafting a reply and not sending it.
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Paying attention to your body: a tight chest when you do not know the answer, restlessness, being unable to sit still when something is unresolved.
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Getting used to not knowing: sending the message, making the decision, and leaving the conversation behind without checking it.
What Happens During a Psychotherapy Session?
Sessions are private, and you can say what is going through your mind without it being judged.
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Your difficulties: we look at when overthinking happens, such as at night, after meetings or before a decision, and how it affects your day.
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What you are afraid of: we look at the beliefs behind the worry, such as ‘I must not get this wrong’ or ‘they must be annoyed with me’, and where they came from.
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What happens in your body: we notice the restlessness, tension or racing heart that come with not knowing, criticism or a difficult decision.
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Trying something different: we practise making a decision, sending a message or leaving a conversation without going over it again.
We decide together what to work on, and the pace is set around your needs.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on what you are dealing with and what you want to change.
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Session length: 50 minutes.
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Frequency: usually weekly.
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Length of therapy: we agree it together and review it as we go.
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Availability: in person in Basingstoke or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psychotherapy help with overthinking?
Yes. Psychotherapy can help you understand what is behind the endless going over, such as worry, self-doubt or fear of getting it wrong. As you understand it better, you may find you need less reassurance and spend less time going over things.
Why do I keep replaying conversations in my head?
Often because you are worried about having upset someone, being judged or being misunderstood. Psychotherapy can help you look at those worries and at why some conversations are so hard to let go.
Can psychotherapy help with overthinking at night?
Yes. When overthinking at night comes from worry or from things you have not dealt with, psychotherapy may help it ease. If sleep problems continue, a sleep-focused assessment or treatment may also help.
Can psychotherapy help me trust my decisions?
Yes. Therapy can help you find the beliefs that make decisions hard, such as the fear of choosing wrong. As you become aware of them, you can trust your own judgement more and cope better with not knowing.
What Could Change Through Psychotherapy?
You may begin to:
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Make a decision without going back over it.
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Care less about what other people thought of what you said.
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Spend less time going over things and asking for reassurance.
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Not know how something will turn out without it taking over your day.
Psychotherapy in Basingstoke and Online
I’m Paula Miles, a psychotherapist based in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
I work with adults who are dealing with work-related stress, anxiety and perfectionism, and who find themselves reacting to work situations the same way again and again.
My approach combines psychodynamic psychotherapy with attention to what happens in your body.
You can get to know me more here
Book a Free Initial Consultation
Contact me to talk about your situation, ask how I work and find out whether psychotherapy is right for you.