Getting started with the Anxiety Disorders Clinic
Step 1: Get a referral and request an appointment
Download the below referral and registration form then visit your GP to discuss whether an assessment and CBT treatment with the Anxiety Disorders Clinic may be appropriate for you.
If your GP believes you may benefit from an assessment with the clinic, return the completed form to:
Email: crufad.admin@svha.org.au
Fax: (02) 8382 1401
Any questions, please call us on (02) 8382 1400
Please note, all referrals are reviewed by the clinical team before an assessment appointment is offered. If the clinical team does not offer you an assessment appointment, we will endeavour to provide alternative options for you.
Information for clinicians >
Step 2: Confirm your appointment and complete your pre-assessment questionnaires
If you are offered an assessment appointment, we will confirm a date and time with you, then you will be asked to complete some pre-assessment questionnaires online. These questionnaires must be completed prior to your scheduled appointment.
These questionnaires will make up part of your initial assessment and help to determine an appropriate management plan for you.
Step 3: Your assessment and what happens next
At your initial assessment appointment you will be seen by a specialist clinician who will conduct a directed diagnostic interview. They will ask you a series of specific questions to determine a likely diagnosis and whether you will benefit from treatment with the clinic. Assessments typically last 60 minutes.
Please be aware that this initial assessment is not designed to provide supportive counselling or to obtain a comprehensive history of your difficulties. It is a structured assessment of your current symptoms and experiences to determine an appropriate management plan.
This management plan will be communicated to your GP, and if treatment with the clinic is recommended, a member of our team will contact you to schedule further appointments. If treatment with the clinic is not recommended, this will also be communicated to your GP along with alternative treatment recommendation where possible.
Is the Anxiety Disorders Clinic right for me?
You are not in a crisis situation or at risk of self-harm
Your primary concern is an anxiety disorder
Your anxiety is not primarily related to trauma or traumatic events
You are not suffering from Psychosis or Bipolar Illness
You are not suffering from Cognitive Impairment (e.g. dementia) or brain injury
You do not have difficulties managing your anger or aggressoin
You do not require assessment for a third party (e.g. court, Centrelink, workers compensation)
You are not using illegal drugs, excessive alcohol or sedatives
You are seeking a brief, skills-based treatment
You are 18+ and have a valid Medicare card
ADC's treatment is:
Face-to-face or telehealth
No cost
Specialised
Delivered by leading experts in CBT
Proven and backed almost 40 years of research
Easy to access
Excessive anxiety is a very common difficulty. The clinic provides time-limited cognitive behavioural treatments for adults (18+) with specific anxiety and depressive disorders. However, some anxiety difficulties are best treated by other types of therapy that are not provided at our clinic.
Anxiety and low-mood often co-occurs with other difficulties such as psychosis, longstanding difficulties managing emotions, eating disorders, chronic life stress, relationship problems and difficulties with self-harm or suicide. In many cases, it is best to treat other difficulties before addressing the anxiety with CBT.
Patients are not accepted for treatment while they are taking benzodiazepines or have alcohol or drug dependence. We would recommend that these issues be adequately addressed and controlled first.
Patients whose anxiety disorder is the subject of legal proceedings for financial compensation are not accepted into treatment programs at this clinic, and no medico-legal reports are provided.
