Anxiety is something most people experience at different points in life. It can help us prepare, pay attention and respond to risk. But when anxiety starts taking up too much space, it can become exhausting.
For some people, anxiety feels like constant worry. For others, it shows up in the body: tight chest, nausea, tension, restlessness, racing heart, difficulty breathing or poor sleep. It can also look like overthinking, perfectionism, avoidance, irritability, reassurance-seeking or feeling unable to relax even when nothing is obviously wrong.
At Darlinghurst Psychologists, we work with people experiencing many different forms of anxiety, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic symptoms, health anxiety, phobias, performance anxiety and anxiety connected with stress, trauma, depression, ADHD, autism or relationship difficulties.
Generalised anxiety and worry
Generalised anxiety often involves worrying across many parts of life: work, health, relationships, family, money, the future or things that might go wrong. Many people with generalised anxiety are capable, thoughtful and responsible. The difficulty is that the mind can become stuck in “what if?” mode.
Therapy can help you understand how worry works, what keeps it going, and how to respond to uncertainty in a more flexible way.
Social anxiety
Social anxiety is more than being shy. It can involve a strong fear of being judged, criticised, rejected, embarrassed or seen as awkward. You may avoid social situations, speak less than you would like to, replay conversations afterwards, or push through social events while feeling highly anxious inside.
Treatment often focuses on reducing avoidance, changing the way you respond to self-critical thoughts, and building confidence in social situations over time.
Evidence-based treatment for anxiety
Treatment is tailored to the person, not just the diagnosis. Depending on your needs, therapy may draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, mindfulness-based strategies and emotion regulation skills.
Therapy may help you understand anxiety symptoms, reduce avoidance, work with anxious thoughts, respond differently to physical sensations, and build more confidence in the situations that matter to you.
How Darlinghurst Psychologists can help
At Darlinghurst Psychologists, we understand that anxiety can look different for everyone. Some people feel visibly anxious, while others appear calm and capable but are struggling internally.
We aim to provide therapy that is warm, practical and evidence-based. Your psychologist will work with you to understand your individual circumstances and develop a tailored approach.
You may also find it helpful to read about Panic Attacks, Workplace Stress and Burnout, Trauma Therapy, ADHD Support, Sleep Issues or our Treatments page.
Or you may want to contact us to book in an initial assessment session
Common questions about anxiety therapy
Can a psychologist help with anxiety?
Yes. Psychologists commonly work with anxiety using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and other tailored interventions.
Do I need to know what type of anxiety I have?
No. Many people come to therapy knowing they feel anxious but not knowing exactly why. Your psychologist can help you understand what is happening.
What is the difference between generalised anxiety and social anxiety?
Generalised anxiety usually involves worry across many areas of life. Social anxiety is more focused on fear of judgement, embarrassment or rejection in social situations.
Will therapy make anxiety disappear completely?
The goal is not to remove anxiety entirely as anxiety is actually a helpful emotion to have. Often, therapy helps reduce the impact anxiety has on your life and improves your ability to respond to it.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can affect the body in many ways, including a racing heart, tight chest, stomach discomfort, muscle tension, dizziness, sweating and poor sleep.
