Ivor Barnard is a clinical psychologist and psychologist based in Newtown, in Sydney. You can find the practice at Suite 211, RPA Medical Centre, 100 Carillon Avenue, Newtown NSW 2042.
In day to day work, Ivor looks after people who are dealing with tough feelings and hard times. That might include anxiety that won’t quite switch off, stress that builds up over weeks, or worries that start to take over your mood and sleep. At times, people also come in because life feels a bit overwhelming, even when nothing “big” has happened.
Counselling sessions are at the centre of the work. The goal is usually to help you understand what’s going on, and then find practical ways to cope. In many cases, that means learning skills you can actually use outside the appointment, not just talking about things in the moment.
Behavioral therapy is one of the main approaches used. This can help when patterns have formed over time, like avoiding things that feel scary, getting stuck in unhelpful habits, or feeling tense all the time. Ivor also uses cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT. CBT is often about noticing thoughts and behaviours that keep the cycle going, then changing them step by step.
Stress management techniques are another key part of the work. People often find that stress shows up in the body first—tightness, headaches, poor sleep, or feeling “on edge”. The sessions can help you figure out what triggers your stress, and give you simple strategies to lower the pressure and steady yourself.
Anxiety management strategies may be used too, depending on what you’re facing. Anxiety can look different for different people. For some, it’s constant worry. For others, it’s panic-like feelings, feeling trapped in fear, or struggling with confidence in certain situations. The focus is on reducing the grip anxiety has, while building skills that make day to day life feel more doable.
Over time, therapy is meant to feel more grounded and less confusing. You won’t just get told to “calm down”. Instead, you work with Ivor to untangle what’s happening, then practise ways to handle it. Even when progress is slow, small changes can add up.
If you’re looking for a psychologist in Newtown who can help with counselling, behavioural work, and CBT-based support for stress and anxiety, Ivor Barnard is available for sessions at the RPA Medical Centre location listed above.