Therapy for Anxiety in Melbourne
In-person counselling in Northcote and Abbotsford, with online sessions across Australia.
Anxiety can show up as persistent worry, overthinking or a feeling of being constantly on edge. You might find yourself rehearsing conversations, monitoring how you come across to others, or struggling to settle even when nothing seems wrong.
At other times, anxiety can feel intensely physical. Your heart may race, your breathing may change, or you may feel a strong urge to escape, seek reassurance or regain control.
I'm Josh Wasniewski, a PACFA Certified Practising Member with a Master of Counselling. I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy for adults experiencing anxiety, including ongoing worry, panic and social anxiety.
Anxiety can show up as
• overthinking and replaying conversations
• panic attacks or fear of panic returning
• social anxiety and self-monitoring
• worry that is difficult to switch off
• tension, restlessness or difficulty sleeping
• reassurance seeking or repeated checking
• avoiding places, situations or difficult conversations
• becoming overwhelmed, numb or disconnected under stress
• harsh self-criticism after anxious moments
Why insight may not be enough
Anxiety often has a protective function. Your mind and body may have learned to anticipate danger, rejection, criticism or loss of control before you have time to think about what is happening.
This is why telling yourself to calm down or think differently may help only briefly. The response is not simply a mistaken idea. It is also an emotional and physical pattern shaped through experience.
Therapy can help you understand what activates the pattern, how you respond to it and what allows you to remain more present when anxiety appears.
What anxiety therapy with me involves
In our early sessions, we'll explore how anxiety shows up in your life, what tends to trigger it, how you respond and what you would like to change.
My approach is relational, attachment-informed and somatically oriented. Alongside talking about your experiences, we may pay attention to the emotions, physical sensations and impulses that arise as you describe them.
For example, you might notice yourself becoming tense when you think someone is unhappy with you. You may start monitoring their reactions, rehearsing what to say or withdrawing from the conversation.
We could explore what feels threatening in that moment, how your body responds, and what happens when you have some space to notice the reaction rather than immediately following it.
At other times, the work may be more practical. If anxiety is leading you to avoid situations, repeatedly check things or seek reassurance, we can work on gradually changing those patterns.
The approach will depend on the nature of your anxiety and what you find helpful. We may explore earlier experiences and relationship patterns when relevant, without assuming that every difficulty needs to be traced back to the past.
You can read more about the somatic aspects of my approach on my somatic therapy page.
Practical details
Individual sessions: 60 minutes, $180
Northcote: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Abbotsford: Wednesdays
Online sessions available across Australia
No GP referral required
Medicare rebates are not available
You can find consulting room addresses and access information on my Northcote and Abbotsford locations page.
Starting therapy
You don't need to have a clear understanding of why you're anxious before attending.
Our first session is an opportunity to discuss what you've been experiencing, what you've already tried and what you're hoping might be different.
You're welcome to book one session and see whether working together feels useful. If you'd prefer to ask questions first, a free 15-minute introductory call is also available.