Workplace Anxiety: Why You Feel So On Edge at Work—and How Therapy Can Help
Does your heart race every time your boss emails you?
Do you replay conversations with coworkers, wondering if you sounded too harsh—or too passive?
Do you feel like you have to say yes to everything just to avoid disappointing someone or being seen as “not a team player?”
Trust me - you are not alone.
You're likely experiencing workplace anxiety, a type of chronic stress that shows up when things like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional labor all collide in environments that demand more than they give.
At Rosebud Psychotherapy in Marietta, GA, I work with high-achieving, thoughtful women who feel overwhelmed and on edge at work—but still struggle to step back, ask for help, or set boundaries. So, this blog post is for you!
What Is Workplace Anxiety?
Workplace anxiety isn’t just about nerves before a presentation or the having the Sunday Scaries. It’s the chronic, internal pressure to perform well, fix problems, please everyone, or prove your worth—often at the cost of your mental health.
Common Signs:
Overthinking every interaction with your boss or coworkers
Constantly checking your email or Slack for signs of conflict or for fear of missing something critical
Saying yes when you’re already stretched too thin
Feeling physically tense or emotionally drained by the end of the day
Struggling to relax after work or fully enjoy time off
Why Is It So Hard to Shake?
For many women I work with, the roots of workplace anxiety go deeper than just a tough job. Often, it’s tied to their core beliefs and past experiences:
You learned early on that being liked means being safe.
You were praised for being helpful, agreeable, or selfless, so you rely on being those things to feel worthwhile now.
You may have internalized the idea that rest equals laziness. That exhaustion is a badge of honor.
You feel responsible for other people’s feelings or problems. And you usually feel you have to “fix” it for them.
So when your boss is disappointed or a team member seems irritated?
It doesn’t just feel uncomfortable—it feels like failure. Like rejection. Or even like danger.
What Therapy Can Offer
Therapy can help you break out of this cycle—not by making you less anxious overnight, but by building self-trust, emotional regulation skills, and boundaries that actually work.
Naming the Patterns
People-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional caretaking
Noticing the “I should…” or “What if they…” spirals
Regulating the Nervous System
Mindfulness and self-compassion practices to ride the wave of anxiety
DBT or ACT skills to help you pause before reacting
Setting Boundaries That Feel Possible
Learning to say no without getting trapped in a guilt spiral
Practicing direct communication that still feels kind and authentic
Rewriting the Story
Shifting from “I need to fix this or I’ll get in trouble” to “I can handle discomfort without abandoning myself.”
Therapy in Marietta for Workplace Stress and Anxiety
Whether you're dealing with a toxic boss, unclear expectations, imposter syndrome, or the weight of always being “the reliable one,” you deserve support. You don’t have to keep bracing for impact every time a Slack ping comes through.
At Rosebud Psychotherapy, I offer individual therapy in Marietta, GA, and virtual therapy for clients across Georgia. Together, we can unpack what’s happening under the surface and build skills that help you respond from a place of grounded confidence—not fear.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If this resonated, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I invite you to:
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