Persistent worrying or overthinking
Clinical Psychologists | Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Anxiety Therapy Cape Town
Feeling anxious from time to time is part of being human. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or begins to affect your sleep, work, relationships, or sense of wellbeing, it may be helpful to seek support. At Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice, Clinical Psychologists Kirsten Barnardt and Karen Fleming provide evidence-based anxiety therapy for adults in Cape Town and online throughout South Africa.
HPCSA registered
Online across SA
Private & secure
Anxiety therapy for adults
Support tailored to your unique experience
We work with a range of anxiety-related difficulties — excessive worry, panic attacks, health anxiety, social anxiety, stress and burnout, and anxiety associated with life transitions or traumatic experiences. Therapy is tailored to each person’s unique needs, goals, and experiences.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to perceived threat, uncertainty, or change. While occasional worry is normal, anxiety can become problematic when it is excessive, difficult to manage, or begins to interfere with daily life. Common experiences associated with anxiety include:
Feeling tense, restless, or unable to relax
Racing thoughts
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep difficulties
Panic attacks
Avoidance of certain situations
Increased heart rate or shortness of breath
Symptoms vary from person to person and may fluctuate during periods of stress or transition.
Types of anxiety we commonly work with
Our psychologists work with adults experiencing:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Social anxiety
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Health anxiety
Performance anxiety
Work-related stress and burnout
Anxiety following traumatic experiences
Obsessive worrying and rumination
Adjustment difficulties during periods of change
What can contribute to anxiety?
There is rarely a single cause of anxiety. It often develops through an interaction of many factors, including:
- Stressful life events
- Relationship difficulties
- Work pressures and burnout
- Personality style and perfectionism
- Traumatic experiences
- Loss, grief, or major life transitions
- Family history and biological vulnerability
- Health concerns or ongoing uncertainty
Understanding the context of anxiety can help guide treatment and support meaningful change.
Therapy aims not to simply reduce symptoms, but to help you make sense of what anxiety is communicating.
When might it be helpful to seek support?
Many people seek therapy when anxiety is:
- Affecting their relationships
- Interfering with work or studies
- Impacting sleep or physical wellbeing
- Leading to avoidance of important situations
- Causing persistent worry or panic attacks
- Resulting in significant distress
- Preventing them from living in accordance with their values and goals
Seeking support does not mean something is “wrong” with you. Many people access therapy during periods of increased stress, uncertainty, or transition.
How we work
Evidence-based anxiety treatment
At Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice, therapy is guided by current psychological research while remaining responsive to the unique experiences and preferences of each individual. Treatment may include a range of approaches depending on your needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical sensations. It is one of the most extensively researched approaches for anxiety and can help identify patterns that maintain distress.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)
Metacognitive Therapy focuses on changing how people relate to worry and repetitive thinking. Rather than challenging the content of thoughts, MCT aims to address the thinking processes that contribute to anxiety.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores deeper emotional patterns, relationships, and experiences that may influence present difficulties. Developing greater self-understanding can help create lasting change and new ways of relating to anxiety.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
When anxiety is linked to traumatic or distressing experiences, EMDR may be helpful. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment that supports the processing of experiences that continue to influence present-day emotional functioning.
Take the first step toward feeling steadier
We welcome enquiries from adults seeking anxiety therapy in Cape Town or online across South Africa.
Is anxiety treatable?
Research suggests that anxiety disorders respond well to evidence-based psychological treatment. Many individuals experience meaningful improvement through therapy, although progress varies from person to person. Treatment aims not simply to reduce symptoms but to help individuals develop a different relationship with anxiety and strengthen their ability to navigate life’s challenges.
How long does a therapy process for anxiety usually take?
There is no set number of sessions that is right for everyone. The duration of therapy depends on the nature and complexity of the difficulties being addressed, your goals, and the pace that feels most helpful.
Some people benefit from relatively brief therapy focused on a particular concern, while others find longer-term work valuable when exploring longstanding patterns or more complex experiences. Together, we can regularly review your needs and discuss what approach is most appropriate.
Therapy for Anxiety, in Cape Town & Online throughout South Africa
Our practice is based in Cape Town and offers secure online therapy for adults across South Africa. Many people appreciate the flexibility and accessibility of online sessions, which can make therapy easier to integrate into busy lives.
Why work with Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice?
- Clinical Psychologists registered with the HPCSA and in Private Practice since 2016.
- Evidence-based treatment tailored to the individual.
- Secure online therapy throughout South Africa.
- Experience working with anxiety, stress, trauma, and life transitions.
- A thoughtful, collaborative, and non-judgemental approach.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Therapy
Can anxiety improve with therapy?
Research suggests that many forms of anxiety respond well to psychological treatment. Therapy can help people better understand anxiety, develop effective coping strategies, and create meaningful and lasting change.
What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Stress is often related to a specific external demand or situation and tends to lessen when the stressor resolves. Anxiety may persist even when there is no immediate threat and can involve ongoing worry, physical symptoms, and avoidance.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can affect the body as well as the mind. Common physical symptoms include muscle tension, headaches, chest tightness, digestive discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, sleep difficulties, and a racing heart.
Is CBT effective for anxiety?
CBT is one of the most extensively researched psychological treatments for anxiety disorders and has been shown to be helpful for many people. Treatment is always tailored to individual needs.
Can trauma contribute to anxiety?
Yes. Difficult or traumatic experiences can continue to influence emotional functioning long after the event itself. Trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR where appropriate, may be helpful in addressing these experiences.
Do I need medication for anxiety?
Not necessarily. Some individuals benefit from therapy alone, while others may find that medication forms part of their overall treatment plan. Decisions regarding medication are best made in consultation with your doctor or psychiatrist.
How often are sessions scheduled?
Many people begin with weekly sessions, although the frequency of appointments can be adjusted according to your needs and circumstances.
Do you provide online anxiety therapy?
Yes. We offer secure online individual therapy for adults throughout South Africa, making psychological support accessible regardless of location.
Do I need a referral?
No. You are welcome to contact the practice directly to enquire about appointments.
Contact Barnardt & Fleming Private Practice
Support is available when you’re ready
If anxiety has been affecting your quality of life, relationships, work, or sense of wellbeing, support is available. We welcome enquiries from adults seeking anxiety therapy online in Cape Town or throughout South Africa.