Beyond Worry:
Build Resilience with Anxiety Treatment
Clinical Psychology in Coffs Harbour
We all experience stress, but when worry becomes a constant, overwhelming presence, impacting work, sleep, and relationships, it’s time to seek support.
You don’t have to manage this alone.
Samantha Duroska, Clinical Psychologist
Who I Work With
I focus on working with individuals aged 18 or over who are ready to move beyond quick coping mechanisms.
My clients understand that chronic anxiety often has a deeper, underlying root and are motivated to explore these causes to achieve lasting change and peace of mind.
How Anxiety May Be Affecting You
Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous.
It often involves intrusive thoughts (rumination, 'what-ifs') and intense physical reactions (heart racing, muscle tension, stomach distress).
Anxiety manifests in a range of ways:
Constant worry or racing thoughts
Panic attacks or intense fear ‘out of the blue’
Trouble sleeping or relaxing
Avoiding places or situations that feel unsafe
Feeling irritable, on edge, or emotionally exhausted
Difficulty trusting others or feeling secure
Learn why self-care alone often isn’t enough to start feeling better again.
Anxiety Disorders I Help You With
I provide treatment for the following anxiety challenges:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, persistent worry that is disproportionate to circumstances.
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Sudden, intense feelings of terror that peak within minutes and can lead to avoidance of places or situations.
Social Anxiety: Fear of social situations, being judged, or performing in front of others.
Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
It's important to recognise that chronic anxiety or persistent panic attacks can be rooted in past distressing experiences.
If you suspect your anxiety may be linked to trauma, you can learn more about my approach on my Trauma Therapy page.
What to Expect in Anxiety Therapy
My treatment is not a one-size-fits-all plan. We begin by focusing on the underlying causes of your anxiety. I combine clinical expertise with a commitment to customising every step of your care.
I primarily draw from evidence-based therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT). Both CBT and IRRT offer a clear rationale for approaching anxiety, focusing on developing self-soothing strategies and challenging core beliefs.
When anxiety is rooted in issues of self-worth or confidence, we can also integrate Inner Child Work to address these foundational emotional needs. You can learn more about this approach in my recent blog post: Why Inner Child Work Is Healing.
Therapy is an active, collaborative journey focused on building resilience and change.
Comprehensive Assessment: We start with a thorough conversation to understand the history of your anxiety and its impact on your life.
Collaborative Goal Setting: We will define goals for therapy, whether it’s sleeping better, overcoming social fear, or reducing the frequency of panic attacks.
Skill-Building Focus: You won't just talk. You will learn tools that you can use outside the session to manage and reduce your symptoms.
How often should we meet?
For therapy to be most effective, starting with at least fortnightly sessions is generally recommended, as consistency is vital for change. We can explore a weekly or fortnightly rhythm that fits your life.