If you’re feeling anxious and you’re ready for support, one of the first hurdles is surprisingly practical.
Who do you book with?
In Australia, people often search for a psychologist when what they really mean is someone qualified who can help me with anxiety. The good news is you have options.
This article will help you understand the common titles, what they generally mean, and how to choose someone who is a good fit for you.
Start with this: what do you need help with?
Anxiety can show up in a lot of ways. You might be:
- Overthinking and second-guessing everything
- Feeling on edge in your body, even when life looks fine
- Having panic symptoms or sudden spikes of fear
- Avoiding situations because it all feels too much
- Carrying a constant sense of dread, pressure, or self-doubt
You don’t need the perfect label for your anxiety to start therapy. But it helps to know whether you’re looking for:
- Practical tools for managing symptoms
- Deeper work with patterns, emotions, and old experiences
- Support with nervous system regulation and body-based stress
- A steady relationship where you can be honest and work things through
Psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist: what’s the difference?
Psychologist
A psychologist is trained in assessment and therapy, and is registered with AHPRA.
Some psychologists provide Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Treatment Plan (from your GP). Some do not, depending on their setting and the type of service.
Counsellor
A counsellor is trained to support people through emotional and relational difficulties, stress, life transitions, and mental health concerns.
In Australia, counsellors are not registered with AHPRA, but many are members of professional bodies with standards and ongoing professional development requirements.
Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist is typically trained in longer-form, depth-oriented therapy. Psychotherapy often focuses on patterns, attachment, trauma, identity, and the underlying drivers of distress, not just symptom management.
Like counselling, psychotherapy in Australia is not AHPRA-registered, but many psychotherapists are members of professional bodies with strong clinical standards.
What matters more than the title
Titles can be useful, but they don’t tell you everything.
When you’re choosing someone for anxiety, the most important questions are usually:
- Do I feel safe enough with this person to be honest?
- Do they understand anxiety in a way that fits me (not just a one-size approach)?
- Do they work in a way that feels grounded and ethical?
- Do they have training and supervision that supports good clinical judgement?
Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is a major factor in whether therapy helps.
Questions to ask before you book
If you’re unsure who to choose, these questions can help:
- What’s your approach to working with anxiety?
- Do you work online, and how do you support safety and privacy in sessions?
- Do you work with panic, health anxiety, or trauma-related anxiety?
- What does a typical first session look like?
- How long are sessions, and how often do people usually come?
You’re not being difficult by asking. You’re doing good screening.
A note on psychologist searches
If you’ve been searching for a psychologist because that’s the word you know, it doesn’t mean you must see a psychologist.
Many people are looking for a particular kind of work: trauma-informed, relational, depth-oriented, and practical enough to support real life.
The right fit depends on what you need, what you respond to, and what kind of support helps you stay engaged.
How I work with anxiety
I’m a counsellor and psychotherapist offering 90-minute online psychotherapy sessions for women who are holding a lot together on the outside, while feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected inside.
My work is trauma-informed and non-pathologising. Depending on what you need, sessions may include:
- Understanding the protective patterns behind anxiety
- Body-based approaches to support nervous system regulation
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Brainspotting when appropriate
- Building practical capacity without turning your life into a self-improvement project
If you’d like to explore whether this is a fit, you can read more about my services or ask a question.
What would help you feel confident about choosing the right kind of support for your anxiety?