Treatment Areas

Anxiety

Understanding anxiety

While everyone feels anxious from time to time, some people experience these feelings so often and/or so strongly that they can affect their everyday lives. Often people confuse anxiety disorders with stress. Stress is a normal reaction to a situation where a person feels under pressure. For example, it’s common for people to feel stressed or uptight when meeting work deadlines, sitting exams or speaking in front of a group of people. However, for some people, these feelings are ongoing and sometimes become so strong that, to manage them, we stop doing the things that were once very important to us. While anxiety can be a debilitating experience there is really good news for those who struggle with it. The evidence is clear that, by understanding anxiety and how it is trying to protect us, and by learning the skills and strategies to change our response to it, we can begin to claim our life back and do the things that are important to us.


With help, people find that they can tackle their anxiety and discover ways to work with it and through it. Once they are on the road to change, people often describe finding a freedom that allows them to be much more like the person they want to be.

Our Psychologists who focus on anxiety:

James Douglas

Psychologist

With 30 years of experience in various organisational and counselling psychology roles, James offers a wealth of knowledge and practical experience. Over the past 24 years, he has specialised in working with police and emergency service workers, providing support to individuals and groups with complex trauma histories, as well as grief and loss. Understanding the significant impact of trauma and stress on relationships, both in personal and professional settings, James also assists individuals in leadership roles and offers guidance in navigating workplace or relationship conflicts.Having dedicated years to collaborating with police in training, James has developed a keen interest in sports and performance psychology. He has effectively worked with numerous athletes to enhance performance and address lifestyle challenges. Through the application of strategies rooted in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, which are evidence-based, James empowers his clients to discover their strengths and achieve their goals with deep respect and sensitivity.

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James Focusses on:

James

Rachel Goodwin

Psychologist

Hi there, my name is Rachel Goodwin and I have been working at The Long Gallery since 2016 and have practiced as a psychologist since 2008. I started my career in Canberra and moved back to Qld in 2011. I have worked in both medical centres and private practice since then helping adolescents and adults with a wide range of presentations.Since the start of Covid-19, we have all experienced long periods of stress including the impacts of recent flooding. As a first time Mum in 2020, I am aware of how tricky it can be in ‘juggling multiple balls in the air’ at a given time and especially ‘balls from left field’. If we reach a state of ‘overwhelm’ where we’re stuck ‘in the mud’, feel hopeless, shutdown and unable to keep ‘juggling’, then it’s vital that we reach out for support and realise we’re not alone! My practices include both mindfulness and compassion and I am available for sessions in 2023. I have experience working with addictions, mood and anxiety conditions, complex bereavement and trauma, and my aim is to help clients move forward in a valued and meaningful direction. Being a country girl at heart, I also appreciate nature and use this to help anchor clients to the present moment. I would love to help anyone who is experiencing overwhelm and would like some support. 

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Rachel

Zach Raftery

Psychologist

Zach works from a person-centred framework, guided by the principles of acceptance, safety, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. He has a masters degree in Clinical Psychology, a masters degree in Counselling Psychology, and holds endorsement in both areas of practice. In his clinical work, Zach draws primarily from the Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Compassion Focused (CFT) and Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) therapeutic modalities. Zach has a particular interest in working with clients who are struggling with grief and bereavement. He works with clients across the lifespan, including primary and high school aged children, students, parents, young adults and older adults. Zach has previously worked clinically in a variety of occupational settings, including schools, disability and employment services, corrective services, the performing arts, child mental health, and in private practice. When he is not working at our clinic, Zach teaches advanced counselling skills to students in the Masters of Psychology and Masters of Counselling programmes at UQ. Zach is also a board-approved supervisor (STAP certified) and he supervises provisional (trainee) psychologists who are completing postgraduate study. He enjoys sushi, rainforests, video games, sleep, dumplings, and dogs.

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Zach

Kathy Cleland

Psychologist

Kathy initially trained as an early childhood educator and became curious about how our minds and brains function when she was working with children with neurological differences. After starting her own family, Kathy worked with adults and adolescents with developmental disabilities before moving to Queensland in the late '90s, where a change of career took her into the publishing and advertising industry. However, Kathy's interest in how we think, behave, and function saw her return to university and study psychology, where she is now an Associate Supervisor of suicide prevention research. Kathy loves learning about how we learn, and recently completed a Master of Educational Neuroscience.Kathy has a particular interest in neurodivergence and helping people, and their families, to improve their lives and wellbeing in a manner that supports the unique way that their brain works. Her areas of interest include Autism, suicidality, complex trauma, and plurality. Kathy has advanced training in crisis care and suicide prevention. She engages in a relational approach, which is person-centred, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity affirming.Kathy provides neuroaffirming Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments. She tailors comprehensive assessments to the unique needs of each client, and utilises the MIGDAS-2 and DIVA-5 diagnostic interviews (which are considered the most current and neuroaffirming Autism and ADHD assessment tools available).In her spare time, Kathy enjoys bushwalking, online forums, and coffee with friends.

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Kathy

Jack Andreadis

Social Worker

Qualified as a social worker (Australian Association of Social Workers member no. 475139), Jack offers counselling for anybody seeking support amongst life’s ups and downs. Jack enjoys connecting with a diverse range of clients from all walks of life, including those who just want a chat and those who want to dive deeper.Jack’s primary therapeutic method is an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed approach. IFS is an empowering approach to supporting people with their thoughts, emotions and past traumas, with the goal of connecting to a calm, curious and confident sense of self. Jack also draws on aspects of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Yoga for Trauma Recovery depending on the needs and preferences of the client. In session, Jack likes to combine his curious and conversational counselling style with mindful practices, encouraging clients to connect to their emotions in safe and constructive ways. Doing the work of healing alongside Jack, you will be supported with a flexible approach to finding the pathways that feel right for you.

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Jack