Treatment options for anxiety

For people living with an anxiety disorder, successful treatment means learning skills to reduce their anxiety symptoms and discovering the roots of the problem: finding out how their history or lifestyle is impacting the disorder, and deciding on action for change.

The South Pacific Private approach

  • We recognise that the anxiety disorder often isn't the only issue. Being anxious is often linked with other coexisting conditions such as depression, and, as a coping mechanism, sufferers may turn to substance abuse and develop problems with alcohol or drugs. Years of living with an anxiety disorder can also strain family relationships to breaking point, and leave sufferers frustrated and isolated. Overcoming these interwoven issues requires a wider strategy than one designed to treat anxiety alone
  • We treat the whole person, not just one isolated problem. Taking into account the wider circumstances of a person's life – their life at home, at work, their relationships and family, past medical history, any past traumatic experiences – is the best way to uncover and deal with the factors that are aggravating the anxiety
  • Treatment options should fit where possible with everyday routines. Some clients prefer longer-term stays, but many appreciate the convenience of our day or evening programs
  • Families are part of the treatment process. Each of our programs have a component that involves family, to educate them about the disorder and better equip them for their roles as supporters

A high rate of success

Compared to other treatment centres, South Pacific Private's programs have a significantly better track record for successfully treating anxiety disorders.

See our independently verified research for more information.

The benefits of our programs

Each of our programs will help you learn how to:
  • explore your anxiety and understand why you feel what you feel
  • identify the personal beliefs and behaviours that are sabotaging your life
  • understand your thought processes and the dynamics of your family
  • improve communication and relationship skills
  • practice mindfulness: becoming self-aware of your thoughts, feelings and physical wellbeing
  • manage episodes of increased anxiety or distress
  • be better at managing your own thoughts, by developing and using effective "counterstatements" to combat distortions in your thinking and change unhelpful personal beliefs

Common elements across all programs

  • Your learning will happen in a group therapy format, and through psycho-education; education about personal development skills delivered through lectures and workshops
  • Your progress will be assessed by regular team reviews held by a multidisciplinary team of professional staff – doctors, nurses and therapist
  • Weekly, your progress will be assessed by a psychiatrist
  • Programs can be covered by private health insurance – either in full or partially, depending on your level of cover
  • Family involvement is warmly encouraged
Our treatment centre is situated in Sydney's Northern Beaches, allowing all programs to be conducted in a natural, healing environment.

Our options for treating anxiety disorders

Mood Disorder Program.This Program helps clients to understand and accept the nature of depression and anxiety, while giving them the practical skills and strategies to be used in everyday life. This program can be attended as a compontant for after-care or as a stand-alone program. It is run once a week over eight weeks, as both a Day Program and Evening Program.

Evening Program. One evening per week for 8 weeks plus one Saturday, for minimal disruption to your usual daily routine. It's particularly beneficial for people whose anxiety is having less sever impact on their everyday life.

Changes program. 5 days, Monday to Friday. (This program is part of our Inpatient program above.) Understand how issues and events from your childhood affect your behaviours and choices as an adult, and how recognising them is an important step towards bringing about change.
 
Day Program. 10 to 20 days from 9am to 4pm.* Minimal disruption to your daily routine at home, as you're free to return home at the end of each day. It's another particularly beneficial option for people whose anxiety is less severe. * The number of days will be based on your unique needs, following a professional assessment.

Inpatient program. Generally 1 to 5 weeks of 24 hour professional inpatient care. The exact length of your stay will be tailored to your needs by the team responsible for your care, and will include full medical support. You'll be involved in the 'therapeutic community' of fellow inpatients, providing peer support and nurturing your self-esteem and awareness. When you leave, a comprehensive after-care plan will help you work on your relationships and discuss real-life situations following your treatment.

Getting help for an anxiety or panic disorder

If you're seeking further information on anxiety disorders including phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, feel free to contact us to discuss any questions you might have. Assessments are free. We can be reached by confidential email or by calling 1800 063 332 for no charge.


Key things to remember:

  • Managing an anxiety disorder is more likely to be successful when treatment takes into account the whole person – their emotional and physical wellbeing as well as the wider circumstances of their life, relationships and routines
  • This is the foundation of all South Pacific Private programs, which range from shorter term to longer term to help people who experience anxiety at different degrees of severity


Read about anxiety and panic disorders | Try our anxiety quiz | Try our panic quiz
Read about post traumatic stress | Try our ptsd quiz