Professional stress management counselling, online via telehealth.

That feeling of being overwhelmed, overburdened and overall stressed is a very common human response.

Stress is a physical and emotional response which occurs when we’re dealing with a situation, task or build-up of demands which we perceive as being difficult or important.

It is a state of tension or heightened arousal which is a physiological response to elevate oneself to deal with the tasks at hand.
 

While a little bit of stress can sometimes help create positive outcomes (such as a busy restaurant kitchen), stress that is persistent, unrelenting or far too intense can quickly snowball into something out of hand, known as burnout.

Unmanaged overwhelming stress can leave you feeling on edge, emotionally and physically drained, unable to switch off and relax.

Feeling this way is often times the gateway to other mental health issues such as paranoia, anxiety and depression.

Unmanaged stress can have very serious consequences for an individual’s personal health, school or workplace performance and relationships.

Issues managing stress are more common than you may think, according to statistics collected by The American Institute of Stress:

• 77% of adults have experienced stress which has impacted their physical health

• 33% of adults have reported feeling extreme levels of stress

• 48% of adults have had trouble sleeping due to stress

• 91% of Australians interviewed admitted to feeling stressed about one or more parts of their life.

Online stress management counselling delivered via telehealth is not a new concept and was already growing at a steady rate prior to 2020.

However, during the global pandemic two factors at play greatly accelerated the adoption of online stress management counselling:
 

1. Forced social distancing which made e-health and online treatment the norm

2. Heightened levels of uncertainty as a result of ongoing health concerns, record levels of job loss and unemployment dramatically increased levels of stress plus reduced some of our default ways to reduce stress.

At Online Psychologists Australia our team are well-trained in helping individuals manage their levels of stress, better frame from the causes of stress resulting in a healthier mind and greater capacity to deal with stressful situations.

Medicare rebated stress management counselling with a personally experienced Australian psychologist

One of the misconceptions with online stress counselling, when compared to face-to-face support, is that it’s not available under Medicare – this is not the case.

At Online Psychologists Australia our sessions are rebated as part of Medicare.

You’ll be individually matched with an expert psychologist that best meets your unique needs and preferences so your online stress management counselling can be as effective as possible.

What are the effects of unmanaged stress?

Stress is one of the biggest catalysts to physical health issues in the world.

Doctors unanimously agree that overwhelming, intense or unmitigated stress is the cause of a litany of health issues from migraines to a compromised immune system, high blood pressure causing an elevated risk of heart attacks.
 

Some of the other physiological issues which can be a result of unmanaged stress include:
 

• Decreased sleep or quality of sleep

• Increased blood pressure

• Increase risk of heart attack

• Issues with fertility

• Reduced sex drive

• Muscle tension

• Back or neck pain

• Increased blood sugar levels

• Erectile disfunction

• Disruption menstrual periods

• Decreased ability to concentrate or focus

In addition to the physiological issues caused by unmanaged stress, stress can cause a nearly permanent state of fight or flight, which may result in a host of mental health issues, including:
 

• Heightened risk of paranoia

• Increased levels of anxiety which can cause a Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Increased risk of depression

• Increased risk of aggression or unmanaged anger

As a result, often stress can cause us to alter our behaviour, you may:
 

• Experience a decreased sex drive

• Withdraw from people or find yourself easily irritated

• Withdraw from activities you normally enjoy

• Have issues sleeping or relaxing

• Consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes or take drugs more than usual

The good thing about stress is that it can be managed or harnessed into productive energy, engaging in specialised stress counselling and management with a psychologist can be one of the very best things you can do for your professional and personal lives.

Many top sportspeople and business leaders engage with professional psychologists regularly to help them manage their stress, which result in higher performance and a more balanced, happier life.

What can you expect from online stress management counselling?

Before you officially start your treatment – you’ll have a free 15-minute consultation so that we’re able to match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs, and your preferences.

Once you begin treatment, the psychologist treating you will take the time to understand you as an individual. You will find the conversation takes place in a completely safe, private and comforting manner – your highly skilled psychologist is there to help you, not to judge you.

Depending on your individual needs and circumstances, the psychologist treating you can draw on a range of evidence-based methodologies to help you recover from your stress issues.

Complete stress management won’t happen overnight, and more often than not, you will have some ‘homework’ or tasks to perform in-between sessions. These small tasks often involve being present and aware during day-to-day life and will help you make progress between sessions.

Get stress management counselling online today with a professional psychologist today

Reaching out and accessing support for stress management issues can be tough, however the benefits of doing can be life-changing.

Our professional, empathetic and understanding team of psychologists are ready to help you overcome your issues with stress.

At Online Psychologists Australia, we offer a free, no obligation 15-minute consultation where we’ll personally match you with a psychologist that best meets your unique needs.

All of our sessions are claimable with Medicare rebates.

Get the help you need today.

If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, there are many organisations that can help you 24 hours, 7 days a week. They include:
 

• Lifeline - 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467

• MensLine Australia (counselling service for men) - 1300 78 99 78

• Kids Helpline (for young people up to 25 years) - 1800 55 1800

• Open Arms (for veterans, ex-serving personnel and their families) - 1800 011 046