Anxiety therapy that goes to the root of it

For adults on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers who have tried the strategies — and found that something underneath still isn't shifting.

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How anxiety shows up

Anxiety doesn't always look like panic

For many people who come to Sweetnam Psychology, anxiety isn't dramatic. It's quieter than that — a background hum that never quite turns off. The overthinking at 2am. A persistent sense that something bad is just around the corner, even when things are objectively fine.

It shows up in the body — tension, shallow breathing, fatigue. In behaviour — avoiding, over-preparing, people-pleasing, controlling. And often most powerfully in relationships — difficulty being present, fear of conflict, a persistent sense that things could fall apart at any moment.

High-functioning anxiety

From the outside you appear composed and capable. Inside you're running on stress, and the effort it takes to hold things together is enormous.

Persistent overthinking

Your mind runs through scenarios, second-guesses decisions, and circles back to the same worries even when you know it isn't productive.

Anxiety in relationships

Fear of abandonment, rejection sensitivity, people-pleasing, difficulty trusting. Anxiety often lives most powerfully in how we relate to others.

Avoidance patterns

Certain situations, conversations, or feelings get quietly sidestepped. It reduces anxiety in the short term — and keeps it in place longer term.

Why strategies alone don't always work

Why anxiety keeps coming back

Breathing exercises, mindfulness, CBT techniques — these things can help in the moment. But for many people, the anxiety keeps returning. That's because the strategies are managing anxiety at the surface, without addressing what's underneath it.

Anxiety rarely exists in isolation. It's usually protecting something — a feeling that's too threatening to experience directly, a pattern formed early and never examined, a way of relating that made sense once but now creates more problems than it solves.

Depth-focused therapy doesn't just help you manage your anxiety better. It looks at what the anxiety is protecting you from — and works with that directly.

Your coping strategies are working. That's actually the problem.— A common realisation in depth-focused therapy

The approach

Anxiety treatment on the Gold Coast & Northern Rivers

Taylor Sweetnam is a clinical psychologist and published researcher working with adults experiencing anxiety on the Gold Coast and across the Northern Rivers. Her approach is grounded in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) — an evidence-based method that identifies and works with the underlying emotional dynamics driving anxiety, rather than focusing solely on symptom management.

Sessions are active and collaborative. The work is direct and purposeful — aimed at lasting change, not just better coping. In-person sessions are available at the Miami clinic on the Gold Coast and at Kingscliff in the Northern Rivers. Telehealth sessions are available for patients across Australia.

Evening and weekend appointments are available at both locations and via telehealth. Medicare rebates apply for eligible patients. DVA funding is accepted.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What type of therapy is used for anxiety at Sweetnam Psychology?

Taylor works within an ISTDP framework — an evidence-based approach that addresses the deeper emotional patterns underlying anxiety, rather than focusing solely on symptom management. It's active, collaborative, and aimed at lasting change.

I've tried CBT and it didn't really help. Will this be different?

Possibly. CBT works well for many people but focuses primarily on thoughts and behaviours. ISTDP works at a deeper emotional level — with the patterns and feelings that CBT doesn't always reach. Whether it's the right fit is worth exploring in an initial session.

How many sessions will I need for anxiety?

This varies significantly between individuals and depends on the nature and history of the anxiety. Taylor will discuss this openly with you as treatment progresses — there's no standard package or fixed number of sessions.

Is anxiety therapy available via telehealth on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers?

Yes. Telehealth sessions are available Australia-wide and are equally effective for most presentations of anxiety. Evening and weekend telehealth appointments are also available.

Can I get a Medicare rebate for anxiety therapy?

Yes, with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP you're eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Your GP can arrange this at any appointment.

Where are you located for in-person anxiety therapy?

In-person sessions are available at the Miami clinic on the Gold Coast, and at Kingscliff in the Northern Rivers. Both locations offer evening and weekend appointments.

You don't have to keep managing it alone.

Book an initial session on the Gold Coast, in Kingscliff, or via telehealth anywhere in Australia.