Can a psychologist help with overthinking and constant worry?

Yes. Persistent worry, rumination and overthinking are common experiences for people with anxiety.Therapy can help you recognise patterns that may be keeping worry going, understand how you respond when anxious thoughts arise, and develop different ways of relating and responding to uncertainty.

How long does anxiety treatment take?

There isn't a set number of sessions that is right for everyone.The length of therapy depends on factors including the nature and severity of your anxiety, how long it has been present, whether there are other concerns you would like to address, and your individual goals.Your psychologist can discuss this with you and review your progress throughout therapy.

Can I see an anxiety psychologist via telehealth?

Yes. We offer telehealth psychology appointments for anxiety as well as face-to-face appointments at our Melbourne CBD clinic.Telehealth can be a convenient option if you cannot easily attend our Melbourne clinic or simply prefer to have psychology appointments remotely.

Looking for an anxiety psychologist in Melbourne?

If anxiety, worry or overthinking is getting in the way of your life, our team can help you find a psychologist suited to your needs.We offer face-to-face appointments from our Melbourne CBD psychology clinic and telehealth appointments across Australia.

Anxiety Psychologist Melbourne

Anxiety can show up in many different ways. You might find yourself overthinking conversations, worrying about what could go wrong, avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable, or feeling constantly on edge.

For some people, anxiety is very visible. For others, life may look as though it is going well from the outside while internally they are dealing with persistent worry, self-doubt or a mind that rarely switches off.

Our Melbourne psychologists provide evidence-based anxiety treatment for adults experiencing persistent worry, overthinking, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety and other forms of anxiety. We offer anxiety therapy from our Melbourne CBD psychology clinic, as well as telehealth appointments across Australia.

Evidence-based anxiety treatment in Melbourne CBD

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When anxiety starts getting in the way

Anxiety is a normal human response to uncertainty, stress and perceived threat. It can be useful and protective.

But sometimes the system designed to keep us safe becomes overactive.

You might notice:

persistent worry or “what if” thinking
overthinking and rumination
difficulty switching off or relaxing
physical tension, a racing heart or feeling on edge
avoiding situations because they feel overwhelming
fear of making mistakes or getting things wrong
perfectionism or excessive self-criticism
difficulty tolerating uncertainty
seeking reassurance from other people
anxiety in social situations or relationships
panic attacks or fear of having another panic attack
worries about your health or physical sensations

Anxiety treatment and therapy approaches

Anxiety can also overlap with ADHD, trauma, burnout, depression and periods of significant life stress. Therapy can help you understand what is driving your anxiety and develop different ways of responding to anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

There isn't one way to treat anxiety that works for everyone.

Your psychologist will take time to understand what anxiety looks like for you, what may be contributing to or maintaining it, and how it is affecting your life.

Depending on your needs, anxiety treatment may draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), exposure-based approaches and mindfulness-based therapies.

Rather than rigidly applying a particular therapy model, we work collaboratively to develop an approach that makes sense for you.

Here are some of the most commonly used psychological approaches:

Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help you understand the relationship between your thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Therapy may involve identifying patterns of anxious thinking, developing more balanced ways of responding to uncertainty, and gradually changing behaviours that unintentionally keep anxiety going.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It involves gradually exposing the individual to the feared or traumatic situation, helping them learn that their fear is often unfounded.

Over time, this desensitization process reduces the anxiety response.

Mindfulness-based approaches

Mindfulness-based therapies, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), emphasise being present and non-judgmental.

These approaches can help people become more aware of their anxiety and develop healthier responses to it.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on accepting your thoughts and feelings rather than trying to control or eliminate them.

It encourages individuals to align their actions with their values, even in the presence of anxiety.

How Can An Anxiety Psychologist Help?

Understand your own anxiety patterns and triggers
Reduce avoidance and reassurance seeking
Respond differently to worry and overthinking
Develop greater tolerance for uncertainty
Manage physical symptoms of anxiety
Feel more confident approaching situations you have been avoiding
Develop practical strategies that fit your life
Reduce the amount of time and energy anxiety takes from you

What to Expect During Therapy

1.

Initial Assessment: Your psychologist will conduct an initial assessment to understand the nature and severity of your anxiety

2.

Goal Setting: Together with your psychologist, you will set treatment goals and create a customized treatment plan.

3.

Therapy Sessions: Therapy typically involves regular one-on-one sessions with your psychologist. The frequency and duration of therapy may vary based on your specific needs.

4.

Homework and Practice: Psychologists often provide exercises and strategies to practice between sessions to reinforce what you've learned.

5.

Progress Tracking: You and your psychologist will periodically assess your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

6.

Maintenance: After the initial phase of therapy, you may engage in occasional "booster" sessions to maintain progress and address any relapses.

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Anxiety Psychologists In Melbourne CBD

Our psychologists work with adults experiencing a range of anxiety concerns, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic attacks, perfectionism, persistent worry and anxiety associated with ADHD or other life experiences.

Our psychology clinic is located on Hardware Lane in Melbourne CBD, with telehealth appointments also available across Australia.

If you're unsure which psychologist would be the best fit, our team can help match you with someone based on what you'd like support with, your preferences and appointment availability.

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Frequently asked questions

Anxiety Therapy

You don't need to wait until anxiety becomes severe before seeking support. It may be helpful to speak with a psychologist if worry, overthinking, fear or avoidance is taking up a lot of your mental energy, interfering with work or relationships, stopping you from doing things you would like to do, or affecting your quality of life.A psychologist can help you understand what is contributing to your anxiety and whether therapy may be useful.

Anxiety therapy will vary depending on what you are experiencing and what you would like to change.Your psychologist will usually begin by developing an understanding of your anxiety, including situations that trigger it and the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that may be maintaining it. Treatment may then include approaches such as CBT, ACT, exposure-based therapy, mindfulness and practical strategies tailored to your needs.