A meeting room can become difficult to enter for many reasons. Someone may feel watched, overwhelmed, worried about performance, tired after a period of pressure, concerned about conflict or simply unsure what they can manage that day. A blog cannot decide that this is panic disorder, social anxiety, workplace stress or any other diagnosis. Avoidance can sometimes bring short term relief while making a situation feel harder to approach later. It can also be a response to a real problem: an unsafe workplace, discrimination, a hostile manager, a health need, burnout, grief or a lack of adjustments. Assessment can explore the pattern without assuming that the person needs to push through it. Physical symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting or palpitations should not automatically be attributed to anxiety. New, severe, changing or worrying symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional. CBT may be considered after assessment where appropriate. It is not a self directed instruction to enter an overwhelming situation, conduct exposure exercises alone or ignore workplace rights and safety. If behavioural work is clinically suitable, it is planned collaboratively with a qualified clinician and takes account of capacity, consent, medical advice and the person’s context. Support may also involve speaking to a trusted colleague, an employer, occupational health, a union, a GP or another service. Therapy cannot guarantee a workplace outcome, but it may provide structured space to understand what is happening and what support is needed. For related information, see workplace stress support at lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/workplace stress/, CBT support for panic related difficulties at lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/panic attacks/ and the workplace anxiety guide at lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/workplace anxiety cbt west london/. If distress includes crisis, thoughts of self harm or an inability to keep safe, urgent appropriate help is needed.