Anxiety Therapy on the Central Coast

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Anxiety can leave you feeling constantly on edge, caught in overthinking or avoiding situations that once felt manageable. If worry, fear or physical symptoms are interfering with your daily life, anxiety therapy may help you understand what is happening and develop more effective ways of responding.

At New Day Strategic Therapy, Jonathan Smith provides Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy on the Central Coast NSW, with sessions available in person and online. The approach focuses on identifying patterns that may be maintaining anxiety and developing practical strategies tailored to your circumstances. Treatment outcomes vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

Do any of these experiences sound familiar?

You imagine worst-case scenarios and find it difficult to stop worrying about what might happen.
You feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and repeatedly seek reassurance or try to control outcomes.
You overanalyse conversations, decisions or situations long after they have passed.
You experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart, tension, restlessness or difficulty sleeping.
You avoid situations, conversations or responsibilities because they trigger anxiety.
You find yourself thinking, “I can’t cope” or “Something is going to go wrong”, even when you recognise that the fear may be disproportionate.
Anxiety affects your relationships, work, confidence or ability to enjoy everyday life.

Anxiety is a normal human response to perceived threat, but it can become a significant problem when it is persistent, excessive or begins to restrict your life. Anxiety disorders are recognised mental health conditions, and effective treatments are available. You do not need to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming before seeking support.

How Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy may help

Strategic Psychotherapy explores how anxiety is being maintained in the present. This may include patterns of avoidance, catastrophic thinking, excessive reassurance-seeking, self-criticism or attempts to control uncertainty. Understanding these patterns can help you develop different responses rather than repeatedly relying on strategies that provide short-term relief but keep the problem going.

Clinical Hypnotherapy may be used alongside psychotherapy to support focused attention, relaxation and the rehearsal of more helpful responses. It is not a process of losing control, and it does not replace the need to understand and address the factors contributing to anxiety. The suitability of hypnotherapy depends on your individual circumstances.

The aim is to help you build practical skills and greater flexibility in how you respond to anxious thoughts, feelings and situations. Therapy is collaborative and tailored to your needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula.

Taking the next step

If anxiety is affecting your quality of life, you are welcome to book a complimentary 20-minute conversation with Jonathan. This is an opportunity to discuss what you would like help with, ask questions about the approach and decide whether working together feels appropriate. Sessions are available on the Central Coast and online.

Man experiencing anxiety – New Day Strategic Therapy Central Coast

Book a Complimentary 20-Minute Conversation

A complimentary 20-minute conversation gives you an opportunity to discuss what you would like help with, ask questions about Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy, and decide whether working together feels appropriate.

BOOK A FREE 20-MINUTE CHAT

Meet Jonathan Smith – Strategic Psychotherapist & Clinical Hypnotherapist

I’m Jonathan Smith, an accredited Strategic Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist, with accreditation through ISPA and HCA. I am also an NLP practitioner. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, overthinking, stress and recurring patterns of thinking, feeling or behaviour that are interfering with their daily lives.

I trained at the Institute of Applied Psychology and have served as President of the International Strategic Psychotherapists Association. My approach combines Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy to help people understand how anxiety may be maintained in the present and develop more effective ways of responding.

Rather than focusing only on why anxiety began, we look at the patterns that may be keeping it going. These can include excessive worry, avoidance, attempts to control uncertainty, self-criticism or becoming caught in repeated “what if” thinking. Therapy is tailored to the individual and may involve practical strategies, changes in perspective and clinical hypnotherapy where appropriate.

I believe meaningful change often involves taking practical steps rather than waiting until you feel completely ready. My role is to help you identify what is getting in the way, develop useful strategies and support you in applying them in everyday life. Your goals, circumstances and preferences are an important part of that process.

If anxiety is affecting your work, relationships, confidence or quality of life, you’re welcome to book a complimentary 20-minute conversation. We can discuss what you would like help with, explain the approach and consider whether working together is appropriate. No particular treatment outcome can be guaranteed.

Jonathan Smith, Strategic Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist at New Day Strategic Therapy

Founding Member International Strategic Psychotherapy Association

Registered Strategic Hypnotherapist credential

How I Treat Anxiety With Hypnotherapy

I specialise in combining Strategic Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) that can help you leave your anxiety behind and, finally, live your life with joy and calm.

As a Strategic Clinical Hypnotherapist, I believe all behaviours, including anxiety, have a positive intent. Anxiety tends to be very future-oriented, or in simple terms, as you don’t know how things will play out, your mind, with the best of intentions, starts to look at options that “could” happen so that you can be prepared. Unfortunately, the way we are wired, we often tend to focus more on the possible negative options, imagining a problem that, in reality, doesn’t exist. Then before you know it, you start to feel the familiar sensation, a sense of impending danger or doom, helplessness, accompanied by physical sensations such as tension, increased heart rate, and sweating. Does this sound familiar to you? If it does, it’s time to do something about it. It’s time to learn to be able to park a thought or a feeling if it does not serve you. This is a mental skill that many never develop. Using strategic hypnotherapy, I can install the skills you need. You are not alone in this.

As an Accredited Strategic Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner, I can help you develop the skills to manage your emotions of anxiety and channel your thoughts into more positive actions.

My techniques and strategies are tried, tested and proven. I can help you uncover resources you did not know you had, allowing you to become the best version of yourself. Of course, your story is important, and if there is a past you wish to deal with, we can certainly address that. However, you need to also understand that the past is unchangeable and learn to let it go. From there, we can look at “how” you run the anxiety you run and change that behaviour for a more useful one.

Anxiety is a behaviour you learned and are now running excessively. Let’s stop it!

There was a time when you’d have to travel to Macquarie Street, Sydney, to get this type of service. Today, you can experience this unparalleled and highly effective approach to treating and managing anxiety right in the heart of Wamberal, Central Coast, just a short 12km distance from Gosford. The best part? It’s not limited to in-person sessions. With equal efficacy, you can opt for the convenience and peace of mind by receiving the same top-notch service online, right from the comfort and security of your own home or office.

The most effective people on the planet all share one skill. They have the capacity to choose their emotional state and take responsibility for their outcomes. My approach presupposes that you have the same potential capacity. The strength to choose your own response rather than just reacting is an empowering feeling. It says, “I’m not getting stuck today, I’m going to live on my terms”. It gives you back your power.

Don’t leave this. If you leave your anxiety untreated for too long, you can pay a significant price. You do not need to suffer alone.

Take action today and leave anxiety behind. I offer a range of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy services to take your life back again. Contact me today to discover how painless and how effective hypnosis can be.

Real Success Stories

Hear from some of our many happy clients

Prior to meeting Jonathan, I’ve always battled with performance anxiety in high pressure situations. Since working with New Day it’s been life changing and has lead to many successes, not only in my career but in personal life.

Lucas Hampson

Jonathan is just brilliant. We worked together to address some difficulties I was having with procrastination. He has deep empathy and insight and quickly got to the bottom of some unhelpful thought patterns that I was running. I got immediate results from working with Jonathan and can’t recommend him highly enough.

Michelle Smith

I did hypnosis with Jonathan for anxiety and procrastination, he was very easy going and understanding of my goals. I was able to reframe my sticking points and gather better insights even within the initial session.

David Moss

I came to see Jonathan about anxiety, sleep and to change a habit. After just a couple of sessions I was able to change a long standing “bad” habit for good. I sleep much better and am generally more relaxed in my response to life’s challenges. It’s been 6 months since seeing Jonathan and I’m still in control of my choices in this area. Jonathan has a genuine, knowledgeable and professional approach and he is well worth investing in for a life-changing experience.

Nadia Monteith

Book a Complimentary 20-Minute Conversation

There is no obligation to proceed with therapy. If you decide to continue, Jonathan can explain the available appointment options and what to expect from the process. Sessions are available in person on the Central Coast NSW and online.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy

What is anxiety?

Anxiety can be described as Intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.

What are the signs or symptoms of anxiety?

Feeling restless, wound-up, or on edge.
Being easily fatigued.
Having difficulty concentrating.
Being irritable.
Having headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains.
Difficulty controlling feelings of worry.
Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep.

What is Strategic Psychotherapy?

Strategic Psychotherapy is a term used to describe a kind of therapy where the therapist is responsible for considering decisions about how to help the client get to where they want to go. In effect, the therapist acts as a navigator. However, the client is still very much the captain of the ship. Strategic therapy seeks not to dwell endlessly on an unchangeable past but instead identify the limiting behaviours a client is running due to their life experiences and help them replace those patterns with more effective ones.

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Firstly, hypnotherapy is nothing like what people see on TV or in the media. They are simply stage shows. Instead, to simplify, it’s better to look at hypnosis as a process of quieting the mind to be able to focus on specific issues in the moment. The most recent research suggests that because you have your eyes closed, your mind’s preoccupation with visual responsibilities is negated. The mind then can truly listen and engage with what is being said by the hypnotherapist. It is suggested that hypnosis is a way of facilitating highly focused attention. A well-trained, highly accredited hypnotherapist can then use the capacity of your mind to create a pivot point in your life and start to redirect thoughts and behaviours in a way that serves you better.

Is Hypnotherapy effective in treating anxiety?

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety for many individuals. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy can help reduce anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and increase control over one’s emotions and thoughts.

Is Hypnotherapy safe for treating Anxiety?

Hypnotherapy is safe when practised by a qualified and experienced therapist. It’s important to discuss any concerns or questions with your therapist before beginning hypnotherapy for anxiety.

What happens during a Hypnotherapy session for anxiety?

During a hypnotherapy session for anxiety, I will guide you into a relaxed state and may use suggestions, visualisations, and other techniques to help you reframe negative thinking patterns and reduce anxiety symptoms. I may also teach the patient self-hypnosis techniques that can be used outside of the session to continue to manage anxiety, and will likely task you with some light homework to practice between sessions.

What can your sessions treat?

My therapy sessions expand to several speciality areas and are highly effective in addressing Anxiety, Low Self Esteem (which I prefer to call an unrealistic self-assessment), Insomnia, Procrastination, Addictions and Quitting Smoking, to name a few.

How many sessions are recommended to treat anxiety?

The aim of strategic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy is not to have clients in endless numbers of sessions. The number of sessions varies from person to person. Jonathan can discuss a recommended approach after learning about your circumstances, goals and response to therapy. No particular outcome or timeframe can be guaranteed.

How long does a session take?

An initial session may take up to 90 minutes, and the following sessions take 60 minutes. This would include an initial strategic interview, a clinical hypnotherapy session, and then a post-session interview that will also include assigning tasking to the client.

Is online therapy as effective as in-clinic sessions?

There is a growing body of research indicating that online therapy, conducted via video conferencing platforms like Zoom, is just as effective as face-to-face therapy.

Experience has shown that online therapy (via Zoom) works exceptionally well, on par with in-person sessions.

You only need an internet connection, headphones, a comfortable seated position, and privacy.

No traffic or parking issues, no rushing around, and evening sessions as late as 9 pm or even on weekends, so you don’t need to deal with asking for time away from work.

Will my insurance cover treatment?

Some funds do, and others do not. It can also depend on your level of coverage. It’s best to check your schedule to see if your insurer provides any rebates.

Will I receive a recording of my session?

Yes, all sessions are recorded, and a copy is provided. I suggest you listen to it daily between sessions. You will also receive small tasking assignments to reinforce the improvements that you can do between sessions.