Anxiety Counselling in Brisbane

 

If anxiety, chronic worry or a constant sense of being “on” is wearing you down, therapy can offer space to slow down and make sense of what is happening. At Connect the Dots Psychology, I work with adults aged 18 and over in Spring Hill and via Telehealth.

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My approach is warm, collaborative and tailored to you. We can work on practical ways to respond to anxiety while also exploring the patterns and experiences that may be keeping it going. You’re welcome to begin with a free 10–15 minute enquiry call to ask questions and explore whether we’re a good fit.

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When Anxiety Starts Taking Up Too Much Space

 

Anxiety can show up in different ways. You might recognise:

• Persistent worry and overthinking that are hard to switch off

• Feeling wired and tired at the same time

• Restless sleep or waking already tense

• Perfectionism, procrastination or difficulty saying no

• Feeling tense or unsettled in situations that others seem to manage easily

• Avoiding people, situations or tasks because they feel overwhelming.

 

You may look capable and calm on the outside while privately feeling exhausted, anxious or never quite good enough. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about that without needing to prove that things are “bad enough”.

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How I Work With Anxiety

 

We begin by understanding how anxiety works in your life: what sets it off, how you respond, and what those responses help with or cost you. We may also explore how earlier experiences, expectations and relationships have shaped your ways of coping.

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Depending on your needs, therapy may draw on:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches to explore links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and practise different responses.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you relate differently to anxious thoughts and take steps towards what matters to you.

• Schema Therapy to explore longstanding patterns such as approval-seeking, self-criticism and unrelenting standards.

• EMDR therapy, where appropriate, when distressing past experiences are relevant to your current difficulties.

• AEDP and relational approaches to explore emotions within a supportive therapeutic relationship.

 

Alongside this work, we may practise grounding, develop a kinder response to your inner critic, and look at boundaries, rest and sustainable ways of living and working. We will discuss which approaches fit your circumstances and preferences rather than following a fixed formula.

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What to Expect From Our Work Together

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A free enquiry call

New clients usually start with a complimentary 10–15 minute phone call. This is an opportunity to briefly explain what you’re seeking support for, ask questions and discuss next steps. It is an enquiry call rather than a therapy session.

 

Your first sessions

If we agree to go ahead, you’ll complete an online intake form. In our first sessions, we will explore:

• What brings you to therapy now

• How anxiety affects your relationships, work, study and daily life

• Your goals, strengths and current supports

• Any previous therapy experiences and what was or wasn’t helpful

• The patterns we might work on together.

 

Some people prefer practical strategies and structure early on; others need more space for reflection. We can discuss this together and adjust as we go.

 

Ongoing therapy

 

Sessions may focus on worry, self-criticism, performance anxiety, boundaries or the impact of past experiences. Anxiety can overlap with perfectionism, burnout and impostor feelings, so we can work with the broader picture rather than treating each concern in isolation.

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The length and frequency of therapy depend on your needs and goals. We’ll review progress and talk about what is helpful along the way. Standard sessions are 50 minutes; longer trauma-focused sessions may be discussed when appropriate.

 

In-Person and Telehealth Anxiety Counselling

 

In-person appointments are held at:

Connect the Dots Psychology
Level 6, Silverton Place
101 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill, QLD 4000

 

The consulting room offers a calm, private space close to Brisbane CBD. Telehealth psychology appointments are also available when suitable for your circumstances. You may choose in-person appointments, online sessions or a combination of both.

 

Fees and Referrals

 

You can self-refer and pay privately. Medicare rebates may be available for eligible psychological treatment with a valid referral and the required documentation. Please see Fees and Rebates for current fees and information about rebates, or contact the practice if you’re unsure what you need.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I know whether anxiety counselling is right for me?

If worry, avoidance or self-criticism are affecting your wellbeing, therapy may be worth exploring. You don’t need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. An enquiry call can help us consider whether my approach fits what you’re looking for.

 

Do I need a GP referral?

No referral is needed to attend privately. If you hope to claim Medicare rebates, please check the referral and eligibility requirements before your appointment. The Fees and Rebates page explains the practice’s current arrangements.

 

Can I attend if I’m not in Brisbane?

Telehealth may be an option. We’ll discuss your location, privacy and clinical needs to decide whether online sessions are suitable.

 

How many sessions will I need?

There is no single answer. Some people seek focused support for a particular concern, while others want to explore longstanding patterns in more depth. We’ll discuss your goals and review the direction of therapy together.

 

Do you use EMDR for anxiety?

I may consider EMDR when distressing experiences are relevant to your anxiety. We would first assess your circumstances, discuss suitability and spend time on preparation before deciding whether to include it in your therapy.

 

Can we also work on perfectionism or burnout?

Yes. These concerns often overlap with anxiety. We can explore how they interact and work towards more manageable ways of working, resting and relating to yourself.

 

What if I seem to be coping well on the outside?

Many adults I work with appear capable and successful while feeling overwhelmed privately. You are welcome to bring that experience into therapy; you don’t need to wait until you can no longer keep things going.

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Anxiety therapy in Brisbane. Ready to explore support for anxiety?

 

Reading this may mean part of you is already asking, “What else is possible?” You don’t have to figure it out alone. If you are looking for anxiety focused therapy in Brisbane, Connect the Dots Psychology offers a warm, collaborative, evidence-based approach for thoughtful adults in Brisbane and via secure Telehealth.

 

If you’re ready to explore your options, book a FREE CALL with Sarah today.

 

Click the links below to explore what support could look like for you:

 

• Find out more about our services: Connect the Dots Psychology

• Explore our integrated therapy approach: Therapy Styles & approach

• Meet Sarah O’Flaherty, Clinical Psychologist and founder: About Sarah

• Explore answers to common questions about treatment plan options, rebates, and practicalities: Check our FAQ page

• Book a complimentary 10–15 minute enquiry call to discuss fit, queries, and tailored guidance to your situation: FREE CALL

• Check out online courses offered by Sarah via the Metis Training Hub.

 

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual psychological or medical advice. If you have immediate safety concerns, risk, or crisis, contact:

 

• Emergency services: call 000 now.

• Lifeline: 13 11 14.

• For health advice in Queensland: call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.

• For non-urgent support, Connect the Dots Psychology is available for in-person sessions in Spring Hill and secure Telehealth.