The STILL Method
A positive approach
When anxiety takes over, most people are still guessing what to do.
Whether you’re a parent of an anxious child, an adult dealing with overwhelm, or a school trying to support your pupils, the most common approach to anxiety is still:
“Try to stay calm.”
“Take a breath.”
“Just wait it out.”
But that isn’t a method. It’s a wish.
The STILL Method is different.
It’s a structured, practical way to respond to anxiety — in the moment it shows up.
It’s not about coping. It’s about clarity.
What Is the STILL Method?
The STILL Method is a repeatable, trauma-informed framework that teaches people how to respond to anxiety as it’s happening.
It’s used in:
Coaching and therapy practices
Schools, children’s homes, and care teams
Family life and parenting support
Workplace wellbeing and staff training
It’s not therapy — but it is therapeutic.
It doesn’t require diagnosis, referral, or waiting lists.
And it doesn’t talk down to people — it gives them tools they can actually use.
It helps with:
Panic attacks and shutdowns
Intrusive thoughts and fear spirals
School-based anxiety or refusal
Sleep problems and daily overwhelm
Performance anxiety and social fear
If you’ve tried CBT, mindfulness, or therapy and it didn’t quite stick — STILL might be what you’ve been looking for.
Where STILL Began
The STILL Method was created by Stuart Thompson originally rained as a social worker and now workinh as a therapist, trainer, and public speaker with over two decades of experience supporting families, children, and professionals.
After years of hearing the same frustrations — advice that didn’t help, systems that didn’t fit, and people left unsure how to respond to fear — he developed STILL as a clear, teachable method that could be used by anyone: parents, schools, frontline staff, or coaches.
Stuart has been recognised as a Fellow of ACCPH and was named one of the most influential disabled people in the UK (2019). But STILL was never about recognition — it was built to meet a real, daily need: how to respond to anxiety when it matters most.
What Is the STILL Method?
The STILL Method is a repeatable, trauma-informed framework that teaches people how to respond to anxiety as it’s happening.
It’s used in:
Coaching and therapy practices
Schools, children’s homes, and care teams
Family life and parenting support
Workplace wellbeing and staff training
It’s not therapy — but it is therapeutic.
It doesn’t require diagnosis, referral, or waiting lists.
And it doesn’t talk down to people — it gives them tools they can actually use.
It helps with:
Panic attacks and shutdowns
Intrusive thoughts and fear spirals
School-based anxiety
Sleep problems and daily overwhelm
Performance anxiety and social fear
If you’ve tried CBT, mindfulness, or therapy and it didn’t quite stick — STILL might be what you’ve been looking for.
The STILL Method is used across the UK and internationally by:
Parents supporting a child who struggles with fear, sleep, or school
Adults dealing with anxiety or overwhelm who want something practical
Children’s homes and schools where staff need a shared, trauma-aware approach
Therapists and coaches looking for a structured way to support clients with anxiety
Workplaces seeking real emotional wellbeing training — not just awareness days
STILL is currently delivered by accredited coaches in the UK, USA, and Australia. It’s been used in schools, homes, training rooms, and with individuals from age 5 to 65+
How Is STILL Different?
It's used in the moment, not just talked about afterwards
It’s simple to teach, but deep enough for professional practice
It’s neurodivergent-aware, trauma-informed, and accessible
It doesn’t require a referral or diagnosis
It works with real-world fear — not just theory
STILL isn’t just a toolkit. It’s a method.
One you can learn. One you can use. One that sticks.
What STILL Stands For
The method follows five simple steps:
STOP Calm the nervous system with body-based tools
TALK. Use simple, safe language to name fear and understand thoughts
IMAGINE Learn to visualise safe outcomes, not worst-case scenarios
LISTEN Tune into your body and learn self-regulation
LEARN Build confidence through reflection and small, real-world wins
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this just like therapy?
No. The STILL Method is coaching But many trained therapists use it within their practice. It’s a structured, accredited method that supports emotional regulation, anxiety management, and real-life resilience.
Do I need to be a professional to use it?
No. We train coaches, parents, teachers, and frontline workers. STILL is designed to be practical and teachable — no psychology degree required.
Can I use this with my child?
Yes. The method is age-flexible. STILL is used with children as young as 3, as well as teens and adults.
I’ve tried other things. Will this be any different?
That’s the most common thing we hear. STILL isn’t “try harder” advice. It’s a method that meets anxiety with tools — not guesses.
Next Step: Try the Method or Train in It
If you’ve been searching for anxiety support that actually works, you’re in the right place.
Whether you're looking to help yourself, your child, or the people you support — the STILL Method is here to equip you with calm, clear, real-world tools.
Explore what’s next:
The STILL Method is an accredited anxiety support model used by coaches, families, schools and organisations across the UK and beyond. Designed for use in real moments of fear, it offers structured tools for emotional regulation, panic response, and confident support. STILL is trauma-informed, neurodivergent-aware, and grounded in real-world results