CAYA Psychology Geelong
Therapy for children, teens & adults with panic attacks and health anxiety
Health anxiety: involves persistent worry about having or developing a serious illness, even when there is little or no medical evidence
Responding to bodily cues as evidence of a catastrophe is often the root cause of both panic attack and healthy anxiety symptoms
Panic and health anxiety can be overwhelming, particularly when symptoms feel physical and unpredictable. I work with adults experiencing panic attacks, fear of panic, and ongoing anxiety about health or bodily sensations.
Many people worry they are “missing something serious” or fear that their symptoms mean something is medically wrong — even after reassurance. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening and reduce the cycle of fear and monitoring.
What panic disorder and health anxiety often looks like
Although they can overlap, panic and health anxiety have distinct patterns.
Common experiences include:
- Sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort
- Strong physical sensations such as racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea
- Fear of losing control, fainting, or dying
- Constant scanning of the body for signs something is wrong
- Repeated checking, reassurance-seeking, or medical appointments
- Avoidance of situations that feel unsafe or triggering
The symptoms (e.g., racing heart, shortness of breath, fatigue) are real and distressing — even when medical tests come back normal.
How therapy can help with panic & health anxiety
This often involves:
- Understanding how fear, bodily sensations, and attention interact
- Reducing avoidance and safety behaviours that maintain anxiety
- Learning to respond differently to physical sensations and worry
- Gradually rebuilding confidence in your body and your ability to cope
The aim is not to eliminate sensations or thoughts, but to reduce fear’s control over your life.
My Approach
Client centred: We focus on what matters most to you
Practical and Grounded: not overly technical or jargon heavy
Collaborative: You are not pushed faster than you are ready to go
Evidence Based: Uses principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) in a flexible, supportive way
Is therapy right for you?
You might consider support if:
- Worry or fear is taking up significant mental space
- Anxiety is limiting your choices or confidence
- You feel stuck in cycles of avoidance or overthinking
- You’re exhausted from managing things on your own
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & adults
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is anxiety, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If panic or health anxiety is affecting your life or someone you care about and you’d like support, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss whether therapy might be a good fit.
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively
In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.
No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.
The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.
Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.
Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address
Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.
Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.
No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.
That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.
No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.
Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.
Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.
This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Therapy aims to increase understanding, reduce distress and build practical coping strategies. Outcomes differ between people and depend partly on engagement with the process.
Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.
Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability
50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).