Clinical Psychology in Surry Hills, Sydney
Anxiety Therapy in Sydney
Anxiety can feel like a constant hum in the background — or a wave that arrives without warning. Whether it shows up as worry that won't switch off, panic that comes out of nowhere, or avoidance that's slowly narrowing your world, anxiety responds well to the right kind of therapy.
You may recognise some of these
Common ways anxiety shows up. You don't need to tick every box for therapy to help.
- Persistent worry that's hard to control
- A racing mind, especially at night
- Physical tension, restlessness, or fatigue
- Panic attacks or fear of having one
- Avoiding situations that used to feel manageable
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping or waking early
- A sense that something bad is about to happen
Evidence-based approaches we use
Therapy tailored to your situation — drawing on what the research says works, and what fits you.
Evidence-based
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
The most researched treatment for anxiety. We map the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that keep anxiety stuck, then build practical strategies you can use between sessions.
Evidence-based
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps you change your relationship with anxious thoughts rather than fighting them, while building a life around what actually matters to you.
Evidence-based
Schema Therapy
For anxiety with deeper roots — patterns that started early and keep showing up in relationships, work, or self-image.
Evidence-based
Mindfulness-based strategies
Practical skills for regulating the nervous system, returning to the present, and creating space between you and an anxious mind.
What working together looks like
A clear, paced approach — no jargon, no rigid template.
- 1
Understanding
In the first few sessions we map your anxiety — when it started, what triggers it, and the patterns keeping it going. No pressure to share more than you're ready to.
- 2
Strategies
We build a toolkit together — practical techniques you can use at 3am, in meetings, or on the train. Each one tailored to your situation, not from a manual.
- 3
Consolidation
Over time we work on the deeper drivers — the beliefs and patterns underneath the anxiety — so the changes hold long after therapy ends.
Practical details
Medicare rebates, telehealth, and Surry Hills sessions
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. We offer both in-person sessions at our Surry Hills rooms (Level 1/17 Randle St) and secure telehealth across NSW — many clients move between the two depending on the week.
Anxiety — frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
It depends on the type and severity of anxiety, but most people notice meaningful change within 6–12 sessions. We review progress regularly and adjust the plan together — there's no fixed length.
Yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP you can claim a Medicare rebate on up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people are referred under this scheme.
Absolutely. Many of our anxiety clients prefer telehealth — it removes the friction of travel and means you can have sessions from a familiar space. Outcomes for telehealth anxiety treatment are well-established in the research.
Anxiety is a longer-lasting state of worry, tension, or apprehension. A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of physical and emotional symptoms — racing heart, shortness of breath, a sense of losing control — usually peaking within ten minutes. Many people experience both. Both respond well to CBT.
Not necessarily. Therapy alone is highly effective for most anxiety disorders, and is often the first-line recommendation. Some people benefit from a combination of therapy and medication — that's a decision to make with your GP or psychiatrist, and we're happy to collaborate.
Therapy moves at your pace. We'll only approach what you're ready to, in a way that feels manageable. For anxiety specifically, the work is less about reliving and more about understanding what keeps it going — and learning to respond differently.
Related areas we work with
Many people come to therapy with more than one of these at the same time.
We're here when you take the first step
Reaching out can feel daunting, especially when things have been building for a while. Wherever you are — considering therapy for the first time, or returning after a break — we'll meet you there. Send a message when you feel ready, and we'll find a time to talk.
Prefer to call? 0422 918 631