Anxiety Psychologist
Reach Psychology’s Anxiety Psychologists provide evidence-based clinical psychology therapies for adults suffering from a wide range of anxiety-related challenges. Based in Melbourne Bayside and convenient to Hampton and Brighton, we also offer Telehealth services for our busy clients, those preferring online consultation, and those who are situated further afield, including in rural or remote areas. We ensure the highest clinical practice standards and take an integrative approach to the care we provide.
Anxiety Disorders
Everybody feels worried or anxious sometimes, and anxiety is a normal, usually temporary response to a stressful situation. Everything from public speaking to starting a new school or job, taking an exam or interview, going on a first date, or having an argument can trigger feelings of nervousness, worry, or apprehension.
Some people, however, experience anxiety symptoms that are excessive, overwhelming, inappropriate, or persistent. This is clinically referred to as an anxiety disorder.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare¹, 17% of Australian adults and 7% of adolescents experience anxiety disorders, with females 50% more likely to be affected.
The symptoms related to anxiety disorders can be exhausting and incredibly detrimental to one’s quality of life.
There are several different types of anxiety-related disorders:
Generalised Anxiety: characterised by persistent, excessive rumination and worry about life in general; it can include concerns about health, finances, social judgement, family, fear of illness, and many more – including anxiety about the anxiety itself. These feelings are difficult to control and can interfere with relationships and daily life, with symptoms including irritability, sleep disturbance, nausea, aches and pains, and muscle tension.
Social Anxiety: with an overwhelming, disruptive fear of being in social settings, at the heart of social anxiety is a fear of being judged, making a bad impression, looking foolish, or being embarrassed. Sufferers can experience flushing, dry mouth, faintness, and palpitations, and may ultimately avoid social situations altogether.
Panic Attacks: characterised by sudden, spontaneous episodes of intense, overwhelming fear and physical discomfort. Symptoms (which in the case of panic attacks are physically harmless) include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, tingling in the arms /legs, dizziness, shaking, sweating, feelings of impending doom, and a fear of losing control, passing out, going crazy, or even dying. Triggers are not always obvious and the fear of having future attacks can become disabling and lead to avoidance of anything from driving to being in a public setting.
Phobias: involve extreme fear and anxiety about specific objects or situations; for example flying, snakes, injections, small spaces, the dark, blood, or spiders. These fears are out of proportion to any risk or danger actually present.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: OCD involves persistent, disruptive, and distressing thought patterns (obsession) and a resulting need to perform certain repetitive acts or behaviours (compulsion). Compulsive behaviours can temporarily alleviate the obsessive thoughts and associated anxiety, but these soon return.
Health Anxiety: an incessant, inappropriate fear of having or developing a serious illness (heart attack and cancer are the most common of these fears). It often stems from being extremely sensitive to those normal dynamic bodily sensations that, while they can be unexpected or uncomfortable, are usually harmless, such as heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, and “normal” aches and pains. These sensations are misinterpreted; common symptoms like a nerve or muscle twitch, headache, or change in heart rate trigger intense concern and overwhelming worry that can interfere with one’s quality of daily life.
It's also important to note that many individuals experience more than one form of anxiety at the same time, with overlapping symptoms that can affect different areas of life — emotionally, cognitively, physically, and socially.
How Can Reach Psychology Help?
Delivered with warmth and compassion by an experienced anxiety psychologist, our treatments are tailored to meet our client’s specific needs. We collaborate closely with every client to understand the challenges they are experiencing and provide the most appropriate, effective treatment strategy for them.
At Reach Psychology, our clinically-trained psychologists coordinate several evidence-based treatments and, for anxiety disorders, these may involve:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – goal-oriented therapy that helps people identify, challenge, and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) – mindfulness-based therapy that emphasises acceptance of thoughts and feelings, and being present in the moment.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – focuses on the impact of interpersonal relationships on one’s mental health.
Reach Out To Us For Help
Don’t let anxiety take over your life. Whether you prefer to visit our Melbourne Bayside location (convenient to Hampton and Brighton) or avail of our Telehealth service, we are here to help you navigate the challenges associated with an anxiety disorder by establishing a trusting, comfortable relationship with you to provide effective treatment to help you feel better for an improved quality of life.