Anxiety treatment in Melbourne.
Maybe your heart races in social situations. Maybe constant worry keeps you awake, or you've been avoiding things you used to do easily. And maybe you've been managing it alone, wondering whether what you're experiencing is "bad enough" to get help — or quietly worried that it's too big to open up.
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, and it's also one of the most responsive to good psychological treatment. Our Melbourne psychologists work with the full range of anxiety — panic, social anxiety, generalised worry, phobias, health anxiety — at Carlton, St Kilda, and by telehealth.
Anxiety wears many faces.
Anxiety is a broad term covering several distinct experiences — and plenty of anxiety that never earns a diagnosis is still exhausting to live with. People come to us with:
Constant worry
A mind that won't switch off — cycling through work, health, family and everything that could go wrong.
Panic attacks
Sudden waves of racing heart, breathlessness and dread that seem to come out of nowhere.
Social anxiety
Fear of judgement that makes meetings, gatherings or even phone calls feel like an ordeal.
Avoidance
A life that's quietly shrunk — routes not driven, invitations declined, opportunities passed up.
Health anxiety
Preoccupation with symptoms and checking that reassurance never settles for long.
Physical toll
Tension, disturbed sleep, restlessness, and the fatigue of being permanently on alert.
What makes anxiety particularly stubborn is that many people don't recognise it as anxiety — or believe they should be able to push through alone. That's often how it becomes more entrenched over time.
Treatment built for real life.
No two people experience anxiety the same way, so we take time to understand yours before recommending an approach. Our psychologists draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — the most researched treatment for anxiety — alongside exposure-based methods, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based strategies. In practice, that means learning to recognise and challenge anxious thoughts in real time, gradually rebuilding confidence in situations you've been avoiding, and developing a personalised plan you can actually use in daily life — not just in the therapy room. You can read more about our approaches on our treatments page.
Getting started.
A first session, no pressure
Your first appointment is about getting to know each other. Share as much or as little as feels comfortable — there's no commitment to ongoing treatment.
Understanding your anxiety
We map how anxiety shows up for you — its triggers, patterns and history, and anything travelling with it, like low mood or sleep problems.
A tailored plan
Together we choose the approach that fits your situation and goals, and set a pace you're comfortable with.
Skills that stay with you
The aim isn't endless therapy — it's practical strategies you carry with you long after sessions end.
Making it affordable.
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply to up to 10 sessions per year. Depending on your circumstances, NDIS, TAC or WorkCover funding may also cover your sessions — anxiety after an accident or workplace incident is one of the most common reasons people see us under those schemes. See our fees & funding page, or call and we'll walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions.
Is my anxiety "bad enough" for therapy?
If anxiety is affecting your sleep, relationships, work or the choices you make, it's worth addressing — you don't need a diagnosis to benefit from support. And if you're worried it's too big to open up about, that's something we understand well and work with gently, at your pace.
What kinds of anxiety do you treat?
Generalised anxiety, panic, social anxiety, phobias, health anxiety, and anxiety that doesn't fit neatly into any category. Related conditions like OCD have their own dedicated approaches.
Do I need a referral?
No — you can book directly. A GP referral with a Mental Health Treatment Plan is only needed if you'd like to claim the Medicare rebate.
What if anxiety makes it hard to attend?
That's common, and it's exactly why we offer telehealth — secure video sessions from home, with the same psychologist you'd see in the clinic.
How long does treatment take?
It varies with the nature of your anxiety and your goals — some people come for a focused block of sessions, others for longer work. Your psychologist will discuss what's realistic for your situation early on.
Reaching out is the hard part.
The rest, we make easy. Book online, or call and our team will match you with the right psychologist.
Reviewed by Dr Simon Vincenzi, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Clarity Psychology.