Managing Anxiety & Worry: Finding Calm Without Self-Blame

Do you often feel anxious, overthink constantly, or struggle to relax, especially when carrying responsibilities related to family, caregiving, work, or settlement in a new environment? You are not alone.

This Managing Anxiety & Worry workshop offers a safe, compassionate, and trauma-informed space for women to better understand anxiety and worry, reduce self-blame, and learn practical ways to cope with ongoing stress.

Through gentle psychoeducation and guided activities, participants will explore the difference between anxiety and worry, recognize common worry patterns, and practice realistic, low-pressure strategies to calm both the mind and body. The focus is not on “eliminating anxiety,” but on changing our relationship with it — building awareness, balance, and self-compassion.

Grounded in a strengths-based and CBT-informed (light) approach, this workshop emphasizes choice, normalization, and empowerment. Whether anxiety shows up as racing thoughts, physical tension, or constant “what if” thinking, this session offers tools that fit into real life.

What to expect

• A clear and accessible explanation of anxiety vs. worry
• Gentle activities to identify personal worry patterns
• A controllable vs. uncontrollable worry exercise
• Practical strategies such as worry time, grounding, and calming breathwork
• Reframing anxious thoughts with compassion rather than judgment
• A supportive group environment with optional sharing (no pressure to speak)

About Your Facilitator, Shirley Chen

Shirley Chen is completing her practicum at The Women’s Centre of Halton and a student at Sheridan College. Raised in Shanghai, China, Shirley brings a personal and cultural connection to Chinese tea traditions. She is passionate about creating culturally responsive spaces that blend heritage, mindfulness, and community well-being, offering participants an opportunity to slow down and reconnect through meaningful shared experiences.

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Host or Publisher The Women's Centre of Halton