You head home after a full day’s work. Feeling exhausted, you sit down and stare blankly at the wall. In your mind, questions begin to surface:
I’m used to doing these tasks almost every day, so why do I feel so tired?
Is this stress?
Why do I feel like quitting some days, yet feel motivated on others?
Many people reach this point, especially in busy areas like Bondi Junction, where work pressure, family demands, and constant pace add up quickly. Feeling unsure about what you’re experiencing is normal.
If this feels familiar, you are not alone.
National health data shows that:
- 43% of Australians experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime.
- 1 in 5 Australians experience one each year, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
Despite these, many people wait months or years before seeking support.
We often see that early psychological support reduces how intense and long symptoms last. Getting help sooner can make challenges easier to manage.
As a psychologist, I’ve always believed:
“Knowing that it’s not weak to feel, it’s human to feel, and that you are worth seeking help is an important starting point.”
If you’ve been feeling unsure about what’s happening for you, these 10 signs may help.
On Most Days, You Feel Overwhelmed
Your day feels heavy even before it begins. Your to-do list already feels endless, your patience wears thin, and even small tasks drain your energy.
This often means your mental load has exceeded your current capacity. The Australian Psychological Society notes that this is increasingly common during stress, pressure, or burnout that lasts longer.
Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’ve been carrying too much for some time.
A psychologist can help you identify what leads to this overload, set priorities, and develop coping strategies. If stress feels constant, stress counselling may help restore balance.
Your Anxiety Is Interfering With Daily Tasks
Simple decisions now feel harder than before. You may avoid tasks you once handled efficiently. You carry a constant sense of unease that is hard to get rid of.
Beyond Blue explains that anxiety can show up in ways such as:
- Excessive worry
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical tension
Experiencing these symptoms doesn’t mean weakness. It often means your nervous system is under some kind of tension.
Working with a psychologist can help you understand the factors that trigger anxiety and learn proven ways to deal with them better. Eventually, everyday tasks will feel easy to handle again. Structured support is available through anxiety treatment.
You’re Struggling to Manage Stress or Burnout
Even after rest, you still feel exhausted. Your motivation drops, your productivity suffers, and you feel detached from everyone at work or at home.
The Black Dog Institute explains that burnout often develops from unaddressed work-related stress and can affect professionals, parents, and carers.
Burnout is not a personal flaw. It is a response to stress. Therapy offers space to pause and reset.
We can help you recognise stress patterns, understand your limits, and establish healthier boundaries. Burnout support focuses on restoring energy, clarity, and a sense of control.
Your Mood Has Been Low for Weeks or Months
You may notice that the activities you once enjoyed now require effort. Socialising feels draining too, so you withdraw from others even when you feel lonely.
Beyond Blue explains that a low mood lasting for a few weeks or longer can mean a deeper emotional problem.
This is not a character issue.
Low mood is often linked to ongoing stress, significant life changes, or emotional exhaustion.
Our psychologists can help you explore what is contributing to these feelings and support you in rebuilding motivation and emotional balance. Our depression treatment focuses on understanding patterns, not judging them.
You Find It Hard to Regulate Your Emotions
Minor frustrations now stir up strong reactions. You may feel irritable, upset, or emotionally overwhelmed, swinging between feeling numb and feeling overloaded.
Difficulty regulating emotions often follows extended periods of stress. When the nervous system stays on high alert, emotional responses can feel harder to manage.
Therapy can help you understand emotional triggers and respond with more control. Approaches such as CBT, ACT, and DBT focus on practical emotional skills that support steadier responses.
Your Sleep Is Being Affected by Stress or Worry
This scenario has become more common: You lie awake replaying conversations or planning the next day. When morning comes, you wake feeling tense and still tired.
Sleep disruption is a common sign of emotional overload. NSW Health notes that poor sleep can worsen mental health symptoms and affect daily functioning.
We can help you break stress-sleep cycles and support healthier nighttime patterns. Sleep difficulties are often addressed through anxiety treatment, focusing on calming the nervous system rather than forcing sleep.
You Feel Stuck or Unable to Make Decisions
You don’t like it, but even small decisions feel overwhelming. You second-guess yourself, worry about making the wrong choice, and feel stuck as a result.
The World Health Organisation links decision fatigue to chronic stress. When mental energy is used up, clarity becomes harder to achieve.
Therapy can help you identify what is driving this sense of being stuck, reconnect with your values, and rebuild confidence in making decisions.
Your Relationships Are Becoming Strained
You may notice more tension, communication gaps, or emotional distance in your relationships. Minor issues escalate, and you just withdraw because connecting feels exhausting.
A relationship problem or issue does not automatically mean anyone is at fault. Stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue all affect how people communicate and relate.
Mental health support in Bondi Junction can help you understand these patterns and strengthen emotional awareness and communication, helping relationships feel more supportive again.
You’re Relying on Unhealthy Coping Behaviours
This might show up as:
- Drinking more than usual
- Overeating (or emotionally eating)
- Overworking (to avoid slowing down)
- Scrolling late into the night as an escape from how you feel
These behaviours often bring short-term relief but increase distress over time.
The Australian Psychological Society explains that coping behaviours often develop when people feel overwhelmed or unsupported. They are signals, not failures.
Therapy focuses on building healthier coping strategies that support long-term wellbeing, without judgment or shame.
You Want to Understand Yourself Better or Grow Personally
Many people seek therapy for personal growth, not just during difficult periods.
Therapy offers space for reflection, skill-building, and emotional insight, helping people live with greater clarity and confidence.
How a Psychologist in Bondi Junction Can Help
Evidence-based approaches may include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – supports psychological flexibility and emotional acceptance
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – builds practical skills for emotional regulation and relationships
Therapy Approaches at a Glance
| Goal | Focus | Best For | |
| CBT | Identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviours. | “If I change the way I think, the way I feel and act will also change.” | Depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD |
| ACT | Accept difficult feelings, clarify personal values, and act on those values. | “I can’t always control my thoughts, but I can choose the way I respond.” | General distress, managing pain, living a more meaningful life |
| DBT | Accept your current situation while building skills to change what isn’t working, including managing emotions, stress, and relationships. | “I can learn skills to manage emotions that feel beyond my control.” | Intense emotions, relationship difficulties, impulsive behaviours, BPD, and eating disorders |
At The Anxiety Clinic, therapy is also informed by The Mind Strength Method™, developed by Dr Jodie Lowinger. This approach focuses on building resilience, emotional regulation, and long-term psychological strength.
Why Choose The Anxiety Clinic
Founder-Led Expertise
Founded and led by Dr Jodie Lowinger, a globally recognised clinical psychologist and bestselling author with decades of experience in anxiety and resilience.
The Mind Strength Method™
Evidence-Based Care
In-Person & Telehealth
All Ages Supported
Trusted Sydney Clinic
A highly reputable psychology practice known for compassionate, professional care across Sydney.
FAQs
Can I claim psychology sessions on Medicare?
Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you can claim up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions each year. We can explain how this works.
What's the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?
Psychologists have university training in psychology and use evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, and DBT. Counsellors usually support general life issues and have different training.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is about understanding what you are dealing with and what you want help with. Your psychologist will ask questions, explain options, and help plan next steps. You can also ask anything you need.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on your situation. Some people feel better within 6 to 8 sessions. Others need more extended support. Your psychologist will review progress and adjust the plan as needed.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. We offer in-person sessions in Bondi Junction and secure online sessions. The level of care is the same.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Sessions are private. Information is shared only in rare cases involving safety risks or legal obligations. Your psychologist will explain this clearly in your first session.
How do I book an initial appointment?
You can call the clinic, or enquire through the website. A referral is not always required. If you choose to see your GP, ask for a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter which allows us to claim Medicare rebate on your behalf.
We’re Here to Listen
If any of these signs feel familiar, it can help to know that what you’re experiencing is understandable. Many people carry stress quietly for a long time, unsure whether their struggles are “enough” to seek support.
Speaking with a psychologist can offer clarity, relief, and practical tools, not judgment. When you’re ready, support is available, and taking the first step can help things feel more manageable again.
You can schedule an appointment with our trusted psychologist in Bondi Junction. You may also explore our support options at your convenience.