Anxiety Psychologist in Sydney
Anxiety counselling and therapy in Neutral Bay
Is it anxiety?
Your heart races before a meeting. You lie awake going over tomorrow. You avoid things you used to manage, or you feel on edge and can’t say why. Anxiety shows up in many ways, and it is one of the most common reasons people see a psychologist. It is also treatable, and you don’t have to work it out alone. Our psychologists in Neutral Bay offer anxiety counselling and therapy for adults and teenagers from 14, at the clinic or by telehealth.
The kinds of anxiety we help with
Anxiety is not one thing, and it helps to know which kind you are dealing with, because treatment looks a little different for each.
Generalised anxiety is worry about many things at once: work, money, health, family, and small daily tasks. The worry jumps from one topic to the next, is hard to switch off, and often doesn’t match what is actually happening.
Social anxiety is the fear of being judged or embarrassed. People often replay conversations for hours afterwards, avoid speaking up, or turn down invitations they would like to accept.
Panic attacks are sudden waves of fear with a pounding heart, breathlessness, dizziness, or a sense that something is badly wrong. Many people then start to fear the next attack and avoid places where one happened before.
Intrusive thoughts and checking can be a sign of OCD. Unwanted thoughts stick, and checking, washing, or going over things in your head brings only brief relief.
Performance anxiety shows up before exams, presentations, sport, or intimacy, when the fear of not doing well gets in the way of doing well.
Phobias, such as a fear of flying, needles, or heights, often respond well to gradual exposure.
Stress and anxiety often go together. If pressure at work is part of the picture, or you have started to rely on alcohol to wind down, we work on that too.
How anxiety therapy works here
Most anxiety treatment here is based on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which has strong research support for anxiety. In the first sessions we develop a shared formulation of what keeps your anxiety going. Often it is avoidance, seeking reassurance, or a habit of worrying that feels useful but keeps the fear alive.
From there, you learn to notice anxious thoughts earlier and question them, settle your body, and take small, planned steps towards the things you have been avoiding. You start with something manageable, not the hardest thing, and you set the pace. For some people, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a better fit, especially when the aim is to live a fuller life with some anxiety rather than waiting for it to go away first.
What happens in the first session?
Sessions last 50 minutes, in person in Neutral Bay or by telehealth. In the first one you talk about what has been happening, how anxiety affects your days, and what you would like to change. Your psychologist asks questions to understand the pattern, and by the end you agree on a plan for the next sessions. You don’t need to prepare anything, and you only share what you are ready to share.
Anxiety, stress, or depression?
Stress usually eases once the pressure passes. Anxiety tends to stay, or to attach itself to the next thing. Low mood and anxiety also often come together: worry can wear you down, and feeling flat can make everything seem more threatening. You don’t need to work out the label before you book. Sorting out what is going on is part of the first sessions.
Is anxiety therapy covered by Medicare?
Yes, anxiety treatment with a psychologist can be claimed under Medicare. You don’t need a referral to book. To claim the Medicare rebate, ask your usual GP (or your MyMedicare practice) for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral before your first session. The first referral covers up to 6 sessions. Your GP then reviews your plan and can refer you for up to 4 more, so Medicare covers up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year.
When should I see a psychologist for anxiety?
If anxiety is stopping you from working, studying, sleeping, or seeing people, or you have been putting up with it for months, it is a good time to talk to someone. If you would like to start on your own, read what the research says about online self-help for worry. You don’t have to face it alone.
