Anxiety Therapy · Earlwood, Inner West

Anxiety Psychologist in Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Evidence-based CBT and ACT therapy for anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. Tim Carey has over 20 years experience helping Inner West clients overcome anxiety.

Book Anxiety Session Ask Tim a Question

Why Choose This Practice

20+ years clinical experience
CBT & ACT evidence-based approaches
Medicare rebate $76.15 per session
Evening appointments Mon & Tue

Getting Here

10 Keith Street, Earlwood NSW 2206. Free street parking on Keith Street and surrounding roads. Bus routes 423 and 426 stop nearby on Homer Street.

Earlwood Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 10am – 8pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2:30pm
Evening appointments available Mon & Tue for those who work during the day.

Earlwood Fees

Medicare rebate: $76.15
Private: $175
60-minute sessions. GP Mental Health Plan required for Medicare.

How Anxiety Shows Up in Everyday Life

Many of the people I see at my Earlwood practice don't initially recognise what they're experiencing as anxiety. They come in saying they can't sleep, they're snapping at their partner, or they've started avoiding things they used to do without thinking — like driving on the motorway or speaking up in meetings.

Anxiety is incredibly common — roughly 1 in 4 Australians will experience it at some point. But "common" doesn't mean you should just push through it. When anxiety starts shrinking your world, that's when working with a psychologist can make a real difference.

I find that people in the Inner West often juggle demanding work schedules, long commutes, and busy family lives. That pressure cooker environment can fuel anxiety in ways that creep up on you. Recognising the early signs is the first step.

You might recognise these patterns:

Lying awake running through worst-case scenarios
Saying no to invitations because the thought of going feels too much
Heart racing, chest tightness, or feeling like you can't breathe properly
Constantly seeking reassurance but never feeling reassured
Irritability, restlessness, or struggling to concentrate at work
Panic attacks that come out of nowhere and leave you shaken

Tim Carey – Psychologist at Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Meet Tim Carey, Your Earlwood Psychologist

I'm Tim Carey, a registered psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping people overcome anxiety. I've been working from my Earlwood consulting room at 10 Keith Street for most of that time, and I've built deep roots in the Inner West community.

I'm fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). My clinical approach draws on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — two evidence-based frameworks with decades of research behind them.

What sets my practice apart is that I genuinely believe therapy should fit your life, not the other way around. That's why I offer evening appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays, and I keep my approach practical and grounded — no jargon, just real strategies you can use between sessions.

AHPRA Registered APS Member Medicare Provider 20+ Years Experience

Ready to Take the First Step?

You don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out. Whether you're dealing with constant worry, panic attacks, or just a general sense of unease — booking a session is the hardest part. Everything after that gets easier.

Book Your Anxiety Session Ask Tim a Question

Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan · Evening appointments Mon & Tue

My Approach to Treating Anxiety at Earlwood

After 20 years of clinical work, I've found that the most effective anxiety treatment combines structured techniques with a strong therapeutic relationship. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

CBT is often my starting point for anxiety. We identify the specific thoughts driving your anxiety — catastrophising, overestimating danger — and I teach you practical ways to test and challenge those patterns so they lose their power.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

ACT takes a different angle — instead of fighting anxious thoughts, you learn to observe them without getting hooked. I use ACT extensively with clients who've tried to "think their way out" of anxiety. It's about building a values-driven life, not a fear-driven one.

Graded Exposure

Avoidance is the fuel that keeps anxiety burning. We build a step-by-step plan to gradually face feared situations — at your pace, never mine. I've seen this transform lives, from people who couldn't drive over bridges to those who now travel freely.

Nervous System Regulation

Anxiety lives in the body as much as the mind. I teach diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding exercises you can use on the spot — whether you're stuck in traffic on the M5 or sitting in a waiting room.

Between-Session Practice

Real change happens between sessions. I'll give you targeted exercises and experiments to practice during the week — designed to fit your actual life, not a textbook. This is where anxiety really starts losing ground.

Teen & Young Adult Support

I work with teenagers and young adults experiencing school refusal, exam anxiety, and social fears. My approach adapts to their developmental stage — involving parents where appropriate while respecting the young person's independence.

Anxiety Conditions I Treat at Earlwood

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

The "what if" loop that runs all day — worrying about finances, family, work, health. If your mind never switches off, GAD may be driving it. CBT and ACT are highly effective here.

Panic Disorder

Sudden surges of intense fear — heart pounding, chest tight, feeling like you might die or lose control. I help you understand the panic cycle and break free from the fear of the next attack.

Social Anxiety

Dreading meetings, parties, or even phone calls because you fear being judged. Social anxiety is more than shyness — it's a treatable condition, and graded exposure works particularly well.

Specific Phobias

Whether it's flying, needles, dogs, or heights — phobias respond incredibly well to structured exposure therapy. Many clients see significant improvement within 6–8 sessions.

Other Services at My Earlwood Practice

Anxiety often overlaps with other conditions. I provide integrated support across these areas at Earlwood.