Anxiety Disorders
Treatment & Counselling for Anxiety
Our Services / Anxiety
It’s more than stress & worry
Anxiety is a roadblock. You literally can’t see past the fear or thought to the point where you quickly arrive at worst-case scenarios that can manifest in real-life; panic attacks, a tight chest, breathlessness. Sometimes, there’s no obvious trigger for all of this, which can make things even more confusing.
Let’s remember, some anxiety is normal, but when it stops you from doing the things you love, it might be time to reach out for support (a brave decision). The good news is, there’s plenty you can do to manage your anxiety.
Let’s break down the different types of anxiety:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Generalised anxiety is all about chronic worrying, stress and tension. There’s no ~one thing~ that you are anxious over, instead it feels like everything causes us excessive worry.
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
A panic attack is an episode where you feel intense terror and a sense of doom – like disaster could strike at any moment. Common symptoms include:
- A racing heartbeat
- Abrupt sweating, or a sudden chill in the body
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or weak
- Numbing or tingling of hands
- Chest pain or a feeling of heaviness (can feel like a you’re having a heart attack)
- Loss of control
- A fear of dying
When it comes to Panic Disorder, symptoms can strike without warning (rude). Going about your day with the fear that an attack could rear its head is anxiety-provoking and let’s be honest, exhausting. This can lead to being constantly on edge in the hopes of avoiding triggering a panic attack e.g., avoid driving to work, socialising or even leaving your home.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a fear of having a panic attack in public or unfamiliar spaces (sometimes even when thinking about leaving your own home). This fear leads you to avoid places that feel threatening or inescapable. In extreme cases, you may be confined to your home as it becomes the only place that feels safe.
Acute Stress Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder begins shortly after experiencing a life-threatening situation. Intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares and feeling out of touch with reality can occur. Symptoms usually show up 3 days to 1 month after the traumatic event.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) begins some weeks, months or even years after experiencing a life-threatening situation. PTSD has similar symptoms to acute stress disorder but will often last for months or years after the traumatic event.
Social Anxiety
Does socialising with other people induce a fear of intense panic? Do you worry about being judged by others? Or that you’ll embarrass yourself?
If you’ve been aggressively nodding along, then you may be experiencing social anxiety.
Those of us with social anxiety tend to feel like the most incompetent person in the room. This can be experienced across a range of settings including: a fear of talking to your boss, going on a date, or public speaking.
Did you know that public speaking has been rated more terrifying than dying? – This is because social rejection activates the same fear response as death. Wild stuff.
Specific Phobia
An experience of panic at the thought, sight, touch or even smell of a feared object or event. E.g., a fear of heights, spiders, needles, driving over bridges or even of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth (yes, it’s a real thing folks).
Specific phobias can attach themselves to any object or situation and one in ten people suffer from specific phobias at some stage in life.
Side note: a phobia is not just about being fearful, but rather an intensely felt irrational fear. Many are aware of the irrationality – but despite this awareness – intense anxiety prevails.
The good news is we can help with any and all of the above. By using a variety of evidence-based interventions (such as CBT and ACT) we can get you back on your feet. You can book in with an Indigo anxiety therapist here today to break away from the chains of anxiety and get back into life.
If you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, and are ready to seek professional help, our team is ready to see you. Online counselling is a safe and convenient method of therapy that you can access from the comfort of your own space. Get in touch today and see for yourself how therapy can transform your life.
Shuktika Bose, Clinical Psychologist
Angela Morillas-Johnson, Senior Psychologist
Eva Fritz, Senior Psychologist
Natasha Kasselis, Senior Psychologist
Michael Magee, Clinical Psychologist
Shauntelle Benjamin, Registered Psychologist
Eunice Cheung, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Dr Navit Gohar-Kadar, Clinical Psychologist
Renae Swann, Registered Psychologist
Andrea Smith, Clinical Psychologist
Darren Everett, Senior Psychologist
Gaynor Connor, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Sam Barr, Clinical Psychologist
Katie O'Donoghue, Relationship Coach
Alissa Nichles, Senior Psychologist
Ellie Rose, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Jamie De Bruyn, Senior Psychologist
Maja Czerniawska, Senior Psychologist
Ayanthi De Silva, Registered Psychologist
Dr Perry Morrison, Senior Psychologist
Tayla Gardner, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Liz Kirby, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Indigo Project?
We are a progressive online counselling practice, providing telehealth services in Australia. Our passionate and experienced local team includes psychologists, psychotherapists & counsellors, coaches and therapists that are trained to deliver online therapy to you in a safe and convenient way.
Whether you are looking for short or long term support through a challenging time, or looking to discover your potential, we want you to feel comfortable on every step of the journey.
Read more about Our Story
Telehealth: About Therapy and Online Counselling
What can I expect from therapy? What is therapy like?
Every therapist is different and their therapeutic style and personalities are all unique. However, all of our Indigo practitioners will hold a compassionate and non-judgmental space for you, where you are free to be who you are. Your therapist is there to listen to you, guide you, and help you overcome life’s challenges.
Generally, you’ll spend the first session getting to know each other, talking about your history and what it is you’d like to work through. From your second session onwards, you’ll get to go deeper, peeling back the layers and all the while learning practical strategies to help you transform and grow.
At Indigo we encourage our clients to have at least 10-20 sessions, because we believe that therapy is a long-term journey of commitment, growth and investment in yourself. After seeing your therapist for a while, you may continue to book occasional check-in sessions as you feel more confident doing life with the knowledge and tools you have gained.
Who is online therapy for?
Everyone is welcome to attend online counselling or therapy with one of our practitioners at The Indigo Project.
Online counselling or therapy via Zoom is an accessible, safe and convenient option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face appointments, or simply prefer to meet online. Whether it be a busy schedule due to work and family, health-related reasons or distance, online counselling can help you.
What issues are suited for online therapy?
Our team of trained clinical psychologists, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors attend to a range of common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues and more.
A number of practitioners also specialise in areas such as sexuality, gender and identity, addiction, sports and performance, personality disorders and therapy for children and adolescents.
Several therapists also provide services in marriage counselling and couples therapy.
Finding the best psychologist or counsellor for me - where do I start?
We highly encourage you to view our practitioners and use the filtering options to find a psychologist or counsellor who can help you with the issues you are seeking help for.
Meet our therapists and what they can help you with here.
If you need help, our Therapy Matchmakers team will be able to match you with a practitioner. Give us a call on (02) 9212 5469 or email us at hello@theindigoproject.com.au so we can support you on your journey.
What if I can’t see the therapist I had in mind?
Our therapists typically have capacity to see several new clients each month. However these openings can get filled up fast from those who have been on a waitlist. If there is someone that you particularly want to see but is currently unavailable, we can place you on a waitlist until there is an opening.
If you prefer to attend an online counselling session sooner, our Therapy Matchmakers can help you find an alternative practitioner based on your needs and what you are looking to achieve in therapy.
Meeting a therapist for the first time can feel like a first date. If you don’t connect with your therapist on your first or second session, we’ll pair you with a new practitioner and your next session will be on the house* as part of our Perfect Match Promise.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Can I make an appointment for my child or dependent?
If you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor, you will need to make an appointment online or via the phone.
We have many psychologists, psychotherapists & counsellors who have experience dealing with children and adolescents in therapy. See who can help here.
Someone I know needs counselling. Can I book an appointment for them?
Those who require online counselling or therapy will have to make an appointment directly with The Indigo Project via our online booking form or on the phone. We do not accept bookings on behalf of an individual or couple from a third party unless as part of an insurance plan, support scheme or similar arrangement.
We want marriage or couples counselling. Can we see a couples counsellor together?
Couples are welcome to attend online therapy sessions together with one of our couples therapists.
Do I need to do anything before my first session?
We recommend setting up for your online therapy session 5-10 minutes before it commences. Make sure your computer or phone microphone and video is working, and that you are comfortable and ready to sit through your session uninterrupted.
There’s zero pressure to prepare anything for your first session but if you find it helpful, you can jot down some points about specific things you’d like to work on or discuss with your therapist.
Are my therapy sessions confidential?
Everything you discuss with your therapist here at Indigo is absolutely confidential, and will not be shared unless you or someone else is at risk of serious harm.
How do I pay for my online therapy session?
For first time clients, payment is made via debit or credit card at the time of booking. For returning clients, there are a number of payment methods available such as authorised direct debit or online via the payments link on your invoice.
Who to contact if you are in crisis
The Indigo Project is not a crisis service.
- If you are in a crisis, if you are experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or somebody else is in danger, DO NOT use this service.
- Call 000 or use these contacts for immediate crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Lifeline 13 11 14 - A crisis support and suicide prevention service for all Australians.
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 - The Mental Health Line offers professional help and advice for everyone. Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 - Beyond Blue provide support to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 - A free service for people who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, bereaved by suicide or are health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 - A counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Parentline 1300 1300 52 - Parent Line is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW.
What else does The Indigo Project do?
Our courses, workshops and events are designed to transform the way you think, feel and live.
Not ready to commit to therapy? Indigo founder Mary Hoang has created Get Your Sh*t Together, a self-directed digital course for those who want to develop greater self-awareness, tackle stress and anxiety, and learn practical skills to help heal, grow and thrive in life.
Mary has also written a book Darkness is Golden: A Guide to Personal Transformation and Dealing with Life's Messiness that combines her experience in the therapy room with unique audio experiences framed by her research in music psychology.
Available for free download are a number of toolkits to help you combat your depression, deal with your anxiety or transform your relationships.
Although an online counselling practice, The Indigo Project believes in the power of community, and we often host events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for events such as Listen Up, a contemporary digital sound bath some describe as a “soundtracked therapy session”.
We are also available for corporate events, workshops and related projects. Please contact us at hello@theindigoproject.com.au if you’d like to know more.
