Australian Hearing Hub
Level 1, 16 University Ave
Helping to diagnose and treat anxiety and depression
We aim to further our understanding of emotional disorders and improve methods of treatment. In addition to our research programs, we also offer private psychological treatment for adults and older adults.
See an overview of all our programs and services below.
Ageing Wisely – for older adults
Ageing Wisely is a psychological treatment program developed at Macquarie University. The program uses gold-standard cognitive behaviour therapy and has been shown to be effective in previous clinical trials.
This program is specifically designed for older adults (aged 65 years and older) to help them learn skills to manage worry, anxiety, low mood or depression.
Ageing Wisely sessions can be completed in-person at a clinic, online using telehealth or during telephone calls. This flexibility makes it easier to access help.
Think about the following questions:
- Do you find it hard to stop worrying?
- Do you find it hard to meet new people?
- Are you avoiding things because you are nervous?
- Do you feel grumpy and irritable?
- Do you feel flat?
- Are you tired all the time, or don’t seem to want to do the things you used to enjoy?
If you answered yes to any of the above, this program may help you.
Download the Ageing Wisely brochure to help you recognise the symptoms of worry, anxiety, depression and low mood in yourself and others. These symptoms can be hard to detect in older adults.
Ageing Wisely sessions can be completed:
- in person at our Macquarie University clinic in North Ryde (Sydney)
- online using telehealth
- via telephone calls.
The program consists of 10 sessions that last for 50 minutes each. Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
The initial appointment will consist of an assessment by the psychologist to understand your symptoms, concerns and background information.
The following sessions* will involve undertaking therapy to learn a range of practical skills to help you manage anxiety and low mood. A structured workbook will be provided to you so that you have all the information you need to be able to practice the skills in your daily life.
*Further sessions occur if Ageing Wisely is likely to be beneficial. If another approach is recommended then alternatives to Ageing Wisely will be discussed.
Session costs vary depending on whether you see a clinical psychologist or a registered psychologist.
A Medicare rebate is claimable if a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter has been obtained from your GP (limit of 10 sessions in each calendar year). You can also self-refer to the program, however you will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.
See our Ageing Wisely flyer for further information on current fees.
Download the Ageing Wisely flyer
If you are interested in participating in the program or would like to know more, contact us:
Ageing Wisely: A Second Chance at Life
"Ageing Wisely: A Second Chance at Life" is a short documentary telling the story of Helen, an older widow, who was struggling with depression and anxiety.
Through the documentary she describes what her life was like before seeking treatment, and then how her life was revolutionised after receiving the Ageing Wisely cognitive behavioural therapy program as part of a National Health & Medical Research Centre and Beyond Blue co-funded clinical trial (awarded to Professor Viviana Wuthrich).
The documentary is a collaboration between the Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre and the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Literature and Language (MCCALL) at Macquarie University.
Ageing Wisely: Advancing older adult mental health care
Ageing Wisely: Advancing older adult mental health care explores clinician's perspectives on treating anxiety and depression in older adults, offering valuable insights into improving mental health care to enhance quality of life and support healthy ageing.
The documentary sheds light on the unique challenges faced by older adults in managing mental health and addresses common misconceptions about mental health in older adults.
This video is the second documentary in an exciting collaboration between the Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre and the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Literature and Language (MCCALL) at Macquarie University.
Connections – for adults
Connections is based on 15 years of research conducted at the Centre for Emotional Health. It is a program for adults who are experiencing anxiety in social and performance situations, including anxiety that arises:
- when interacting with people
- when giving presentations
- during social events.
Social anxiety may cause you to avoid social situations. This can lead to distress and an inability to perform well at work or education, and it may place limits on friendships and everyday interactions in your community.
Connections looks to challenge the thinking and behaviour that contribute to social anxiety. The program uses a cognitive behavioural approach, where you will learn skills to:
- change your focus in social situations
- fairly evaluate your thoughts and beliefs
- gradually face difficult situations
- adjust your coping strategies.
The psychologist who works with you on the program will assist you to apply these skills in your everyday life.
Think about the following questions:
- Are you afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others?
- Are you chronically shy, unable to speak up or socialise without anxiety?
- Do you have a paralysing fear of public speaking?
If you answered yes to any of the above, this program may help you.
Connections is a 12 week program offered on an individual basis with sessions typically scheduled once per week.
We have chosen to offer an individual approach, rather than group approach, as research indicates that response to treatment is better following individual therapy. This approach also provides you with better flexibility for treatment to be adapted to your specific needs.
When you contact us:
- you will complete a short phone intake. During this discussion we will check that the areas you are struggling with fit with what the program offers. We will also check for additional problems that are not able to be addressed by our clinic, such as clients who need crisis services, who experiences psychosis, or who are drug or alcohol dependent.
- we will book you for a one hour assessment at our clinic. At this assessment we will discuss in detail your current concerns and what you would like to gain from the program. Occasionally we may feel that a different program or service is better suited to your needs. If this occurs we will provide recommendations and referral.
- after the assessment, you will begin individual treatment sessions.
Session costs vary depending on whether you see a clinical psychologist or a registered psychologist.
A Medicare rebate is claimable if a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter has been obtained from your GP (limit of 10 sessions in each calendar year). You can also self-refer to the program, however you will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.
See tailored individual therapy fees for this program.
Download the Connections flyer
If you are interested in participating in the program, or if you would like to know more, contact us:
Tailored, individual treatment
If none of our specific programs meet your needs, we offer individually tailored therapy as a full-fee service.
A registered or clinical psychologist will conduct an assessment to determine your specific needs and construct a treatment plan informed by the latest research. Download the flyer for further information on our individual therapy services for adults.