Equanimous Mind Works
Anxiety Counselling
Anxiety counselling provides a calm and supportive space to explore the worries, fears and patterns that feel overwhelming. It’s designed to help you feel understood, equipped with practical tools and supported as you learn new ways to manage anxiety and restore balance in your daily life.
Overcoming Your Fears, Finding Your Calm
Anxiety can feel overwhelming - racing thoughts, constant worry, restlessness or difficulty sleeping. It can show up in your body as tension, a tight chest or a racing heartbeat and in your mind as endless “what ifs” that never seem to stop.
Counselling offers a safe, supportive space to understand the patterns that fuel anxiety and to learn practical tools to manage it. Together, we can work on strategies that help you feel calmer, more grounded and more in control of your life.
Common Struggles with Anxiety
Overthinking or constant “what if” worries
Difficulty relaxing or feeling
“on edge"
Trouble concentrating or sleeping
Physical symptoms like tension, tight chest or rapid heartbeat
A sense that you’re not living the life you want
These struggles are more common than you might think - and they don’t mean you’re failing or broken. With the right support, anxiety can become something you learn to navigate with greater ease, opening the way for growth, resilience and a calmer, more fulfilling life.
Through counselling, you can begin to experience:
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Practical tools to calm racing thoughts
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Reduced stress and improved sleep
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Greater emotional balance and resilience
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A restored sense of calm and stability in daily life
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Living a more meaningful life guided by your values, rather than by anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. With the right support, you can learn to respond differently to your thoughts and feelings, and reconnect with what truly matters to you.
The Benefits of Anxiety Counselling
My Approach with Anxiety
I don’t believe in a one‑size‑fits‑all approach to counselling. Instead, I draw from a range of evidence‑informed frameworks to meet you where you are and support where you’d like to go.
At the heart of my work is a person‑centred philosophy: the belief that people thrive when they feel safe, heard and accepted. From this foundation, we can gently untangle what’s no longer serving you and build something more connected, resilient and aligned.
Therapeutic Foundations
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Person‑Centred Therapy - creating a safe, empathetic space for exploration and growth.
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Solution‑Focused Therapy - highlighting strengths and building on what’s already working.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - supporting you to accept difficult emotions while taking meaningful, values‑guided action.
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Mindfulness‑Based Therapies - cultivating presence, reducing reactivity, and deepening awareness.
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - understanding how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact, and learning to shift unhelpful patterns.
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Supportive Decision Making - clarifying values and moving forward with confidence when facing life’s big choices
ACT for Anxiety: A Research‑Based Approach
While I use a blend of approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is my primary method for working with anxiety.
ACT is a modern, evidence‑based therapy shown in numerous studies to be highly effective for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic. Research highlights that ACT helps people reduce the struggle with anxious thoughts and feelings, while increasing psychological flexibility - the ability to stay present, open and engaged in life, even when discomfort arises.
Many people describe anxiety as getting in the way of living the life they truly want. It can feel like fear and worry are running the show, leaving little room for joy, connection or growth. ACT directly addresses this by helping you:
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Acceptance - making space for difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate your choices.
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Cognitive Defusion - noticing anxious thoughts for what they are (just thoughts), rather than treating them as facts.
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Being Present - learning to anchor yourself in the here and now, instead of being pulled into “what ifs” about the future or regrets about the past.
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Self as Context - developing a broader sense of self, where you can observe your thoughts and feelings without being defined or overwhelmed by them.
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Values - clarifying what truly matters to you, so your actions are guided by meaning rather than fear.
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Committed Action - taking small, practical steps toward the life you want, even in the presence of anxiety.
Studies show that ACT not only reduces symptoms of anxiety but also helps people reconnect with their values and live more fulfilling, meaningful lives. Instead of letting anxiety take over, ACT supports you in gently reclaiming your path - one step at a time.
How Sessions Work
To give you the best chance of lasting change, I recommend starting with weekly sessions. This steady rhythm helps us build momentum, explore new strategies and create a safe space for you to practice responding differently to anxiety.
Because ACT is experiential, I’ll often suggest gentle “home practice” between sessions - simple exercises, reflections or grounding techniques that help you apply what we’ve explored in real life. These practices aren’t about getting it perfect but about building new habits of awareness and action, step by step.
Research on ACT shows that consistent practice, both in and between sessions, significantly improves outcomes for anxiety. By combining regular sessions with small, practical steps in daily life, you’ll begin to feel more present, resilient and connected to the life you want to live.
Individual Online or In‑Person Sessions
Individual counselling sessions are available online Australia‑wide or in person in Coomera on the Gold Coast.
A Space for Growth, Not Perfection
Anxiety counselling isn’t about “fixing” you - because you are not broken. It’s about creating a safe, supportive space where you can learn new ways of relating to your thoughts and emotions and begin to live with more calm, clarity and confidence.
Most importantly, it’s about helping you reconnect with your values so you can live a more meaningful life - one guided by what truly matters to you, rather than by anxiety.
If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d be honoured to walk alongside you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is anxiety counselling?
Anxiety counselling is a supportive space where you can explore the thoughts, feelings and physical sensations that feel overwhelming. Through evidence-based strategies, you’ll learn practical tools to calm your mind, reduce stress and navigate anxiety with more confidence and clarity.
How do I know if I should seek counselling for anxiety?
You don’t have to wait until things feel unmanageable. Counselling can be helpful if you’re experiencing:
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Constant worry or overthinking
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Difficulty relaxing or sleeping
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A sense of being “on edge” or restless
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Physical symptoms like tension, tight chest or a racing heart
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Fear or avoidance that’s limiting your daily life
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Feeling overwhelmed by decisions or responsibilities
If anxiety is affecting your wellbeing, relationships or ability to enjoy life, support can make a meaningful difference.
What happens during an anxiety counselling session?
Sessions are calm, conversational and tailored to your needs. You’ll explore the patterns that fuel anxiety, learn grounding and regulation techniques and practise new ways of responding to anxious thoughts and sensations. The pace is always gentle, you’re never pushed beyond what feels safe.
Is anxiety counselling the same as seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist?
Counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists all play valuable but different roles. As a registered counsellor, I provide therapeutic support, practical tools and space for emotional exploration.
Psychologists often offer more structured diagnostic assessments, while psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Many clients benefit from counselling alone, while others use counselling alongside medical or psychological support.
Can counselling help if I’ve been anxious for years?
Yes. Even long-term anxiety patterns can shift with the right support. Evidence-based approaches like ACT, CBT and mindfulness can help you create new habits, reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts and reconnect with a calmer sense of self, no matter how long anxiety has been part of your life.
What if I feel nervous about starting counselling?
It’s completely normal to feel anxious about addressing anxiety. Sessions are designed to feel grounding and safe. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable.
What approaches do you use for anxiety?
My work blends several evidence-informed approaches, including:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Person-Centred Therapy
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Mindfulness-Based Therapies
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
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Solution-Focused Therapy
ACT is a primary approach in our work together, helping you develop psychological flexibility, accept difficult thoughts and feelings and take steps toward a life guided by your values, not by anxiety.
What is ACT, and how does it help with anxiety?
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) teaches you how to:
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Make room for difficult feelings instead of fighting them
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Notice anxious thoughts without getting swept away
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Ground yourself in the present moment
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Understand who you are beyond your thoughts
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Clarify your personal values
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Take practical steps toward a more meaningful life
It’s a highly effective, research-backed approach that reduces the struggle with anxiety while increasing emotional resilience and self-awareness.
Will I learn practical tools and strategies?
Absolutely. You’ll learn grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, cognitive strategies and values-based tools you can use in everyday situations, from calming racing thoughts to navigating stressful moments more effectively.
How quickly will I see progress?
Everyone’s experience is different. Many people feel a sense of relief simply from having a supportive space to talk. With consistent sessions and gentle practice between appointments, most clients begin noticing shifts within a few weeks. Lasting change often comes from small steps repeated over time.
Can anxiety counselling help with physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety often shows up in the body, tight muscles, rapid heartbeat, nausea or restlessness. Counselling helps reduce these symptoms by teaching you grounding techniques, breathing strategies and ways to calm your nervous system.
Do you offer online or in-person sessions?
Counselling sessions are currently offered online Australia-wide, and in-person on the Gold Coast in Coomera.
Online counselling is highly effective for those with anxiety as many clients appreciate being in the comfort of their home, which can make the process feel safer and more accessible.
What if my anxiety gets worse before it gets better?
It’s common for awareness to increase at first, you may notice patterns you hadn’t seen before. But this awareness is a powerful part of healing. You’ll never be asked to face anything alone; we’ll move slowly, with compassion and always within your window of tolerance.
Can counselling help with panic attacks or social anxiety?
Yes. ACT and mindfulness-based approaches are particularly effective for panic, social anxiety, generalised anxiety and other anxiety-related struggles. Together, we’ll explore strategies specific to your experiences and create a personalised plan for managing symptoms.
How do I prepare for my first session?
There’s nothing you need to prepare. Some clients find it helpful to reflect on:
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What anxiety feels like for them
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What they hope to change or understand
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Any situations that trigger anxiety
But simply arriving as you are is enough.
Is anxiety counselling confidential?
Yes. Your sessions are strictly confidential, in accordance with professional counselling ethics and ACA guidelines. Your privacy and emotional safety are always a priority.
How do I get started?
You can book an online session directly through the website. If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, you’re welcome to reach out with questions or request an initial conversation.