At Darlinghurst Psychologists, we support adults experiencing a wide range of mental health, emotional and relationship difficulties.
Some people come to therapy with a clear diagnosis. Others simply know they are feeling anxious, flat, overwhelmed, burnt out, stuck, disconnected, or unlike themselves. You do not need to have the right words before reaching out.
Our psychologists take the time to understand what is happening for you as an individual. Treatment is tailored to your needs, goals and circumstances, and draw on many different evidence-based approaches. If you would like more information on these specific treatments you can find it here.
We offer appointments from our practice in Darlinghurst, close to the Sydney CBD, Surry Hills, Paddington and Kings Cross.
Common Issues We Help With
People seek therapy for many different reasons. Below are some of the common concerns we support at Darlinghurst Psychologists.
You may relate strongly to one of these areas, or you may notice that several overlap. This is very common. Anxiety can affect sleep. ADHD can contribute to burnout. Trauma can influence relationships. Depression can make it harder to manage work, motivation and connection.
Your psychologist will work with you to understand the full picture and develop a treatment plan that makes sense for your life.
Anxiety, Mood and Stress
Anxiety
Anxiety can show up as worry, overthinking, avoidance, perfectionism, panic symptoms, irritability or difficulty switching off. Some people experience anxiety in specific situations, while others feel anxious across many areas of life.
We support people with generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, phobias, performance anxiety and anxiety linked with stress, trauma, relationships or major life changes.
Depression
Depression can feel like sadness, numbness, irritability, exhaustion, low motivation or a loss of interest in things that used to matter. Some people withdraw from others, while others continue functioning outwardly but feel very different inside.
Therapy can help you understand what may be contributing to depression, work with self-critical thoughts, rebuild routines, reconnect with meaning and develop a plan for staying well.
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks can feel sudden, intense and frightening. They often involve physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, shaking, nausea or feeling detached from reality.
Even when panic attacks are not dangerous in themselves, the fear of having another panic attack can become highly disruptive. Therapy can help you understand the panic cycle, reduce fear of physical sensations and gradually return to avoided situations.
Workplace Stress and Burnout
Workplace stress and burnout often build gradually. You may still be performing well on the outside while feeling exhausted, anxious, detached, resentful or close to the edge internally.
We support people dealing with work-related stress, professional burnout, perfectionism, imposter feelings, people-pleasing, poor boundaries, workplace conflict and stress-related sleep or mood changes.
Sleep Issues and Insomnia
Sleep difficulties can affect mood, concentration, energy, memory, work, relationships and overall wellbeing. Poor sleep can also become a cycle, where the more you worry about sleep, the harder it becomes to rest.
We support people with insomnia, racing thoughts at bedtime, waking through the night, waking too early, nightmares, sleep anxiety and sleep issues linked with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, stress or alcohol use.
Trauma and Adjustment
Trauma, PTSD and Complex Trauma
Trauma can affect the body, mind, relationships and sense of safety. Some people develop PTSD after a traumatic event. Others experience complex trauma linked with repeated, prolonged or interpersonal trauma, particularly where safety or protection was limited. We provide trauma-informed therapy that is paced carefully and tailored to the person.
Grief and Adjustment
Grief does not follow a neat timeline. It can follow the death of someone close, the end of a relationship, illness, infertility, job loss, family estrangement, migration, identity change or any major shift in the life you expected to have.
Adjustment difficulties can also arise after stressful or unwanted change. Therapy can provide a steady space to process what has happened, understand your reactions and find ways to live with the loss or change.
Neurodiversity
ADHD
ADHD is not just about being distracted. It can affect attention, organisation, motivation, planning, time management, emotional regulation and everyday follow-through.
We support adults with diagnosed ADHD, people exploring ADHD traits, and people dealing with ADHD alongside anxiety, depression, autism, trauma, relationship stress, sleep problems or workplace burnout.
Related treatments: CBT for ADHD, ACT, Skills-Based Therapy, Emotion Regulation
Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that can affect communication, sensory processing, routines, social energy, emotional regulation and the way a person experiences the world.
We support autistic adults, people exploring autistic traits, and people experiencing autism alongside ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, sleep difficulties or relationship stress. Our approach is respectful, collaborative and neurodiversity-affirming.
Relationship Issues
Relationships can bring connection, safety and meaning. They can also bring stress, confusion, hurt, loneliness and self-doubt. Many people come to therapy when they notice the same patterns repeating and are not sure how to change them.
We support people with relationship anxiety, attachment concerns, dating patterns, family conflict, communication difficulties, boundary issues, people-pleasing and the impact of trauma, ADHD, autism, depression or anxiety on relationships.
At Darlinghurst Psychologists we do not provide couples therapy, but through individual therapy we can help you understand whether it would be of benefit and worth pursuing.
Substance Use Issues
Alcohol & Drug Problems
Alcohol and drug concerns exist on a spectrum. Some people seek help because they are using more than they want to. Others are worried about dependence, cravings, secrecy, relationship conflict, work impacts, health concerns or using substances to cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, depression or sleep problems.
Therapy can be useful whether your goal is to reduce harm, cut down, stop completely, prevent relapse or better understand the role alcohol or drugs are playing in your life.
Not Sure What You Need?
Many people are not sure whether what they are experiencing is anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, ADHD, grief or something else. You do not need to diagnose yourself before booking an appointment.
Your psychologist can help you make sense of what is happening, understand the factors that may be contributing, and discuss which treatment approach may be most useful.
The first step is simply starting a conversation.
Common Questions
What mental health issues do psychologists treat?
Do I need a diagnosis before seeing a psychologist?
How do I know which treatment I need?
Can I see a psychologist for more than one issue?
What if I am not sure whether therapy is right for me?
Do you offer Medicare rebates?
Do you offer online appointments?
Can I choose which psychologist I see?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are looking for support with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, burnout, relationship issues, grief, sleep or alcohol and drug concerns, we can help you work out the next step.
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong before reaching out.
