Dr. Aurélie Comes, psychology practice, Hong Kong, online - CBT and EMDR therapy

Anxiety Therapy in Hong Kong
Evidence-Based Treatment for Professionals & Expats

Anxiety can show up in many different ways, from persistent worry and overthinking to physical tension, difficulty switching off, perfectionism and feeling constantly on edge.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety in the context of work, relationships, major life changes and other areas of life. Therapy can help you understand the patterns maintaining anxiety and develop more effective ways of responding to difficult thoughts, emotions and situations.

Depending on your individual needs, CBT or another evidence-based psychological therapy may be recommended following an initial assessment.

What Does Anxiety Actually Look Like?

Anxiety does not always look like panic. For many of the professionals and expats I work with in Hong Kong, anxiety looks like this: replying to an email three times before sending it; lying awake rehearsing conversations that happened days ago; saying yes when you mean no because the alternative feels too risky; feeling permanently "on" even during rest.

People sometimes describe this pattern as "high-functioning anxiety": functioning well on the outside while experiencing significant anxiety internally. Because the person may continue to work, socialise and meet their responsibilities, the level of distress can be easy to overlook.

Types of Anxiety I Treat in Hong Kong

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — persistent, hard-to-control worry about multiple areas of life

  • Health anxiety — excessive worry about illness or physical symptoms

  • Social anxiety — fear of judgement, embarrassment, or negative evaluation in social or professional situations

  • Panic attacks and panic disorder — sudden, intense physical and psychological fear episodes

  • Performance anxiety and perfectionism

  • Expat-related anxiety — relocation stress, identity concerns, cultural adjustment

  • Work-related anxiety and stress

  • Sleep anxiety and insomnia (treated using CBT-I)

Anxiety can also occur alongside depression, burnout, trauma-related difficulties or other psychological concerns. An initial assessment helps clarify what is contributing to your symptoms and which treatment approach is most appropriate.

Evidence-Based Techniques Used in Anxiety Therapy

In therapy, we use structured, evidence-based techniques tailored to your specific pattern of anxiety:

  • Cognitive restructuring — identifying and testing anxious thoughts against evidence

  • Behavioural experiments — testing fears in real life to update threat beliefs

  • Graded exposure — gradually approaching avoided situations or sensations• Worry time and thought defusion — containing and distancing from anxious thoughts

  • Physiological regulation — breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation• Mindfulness-based strategies integrated into CBT

  • Sleep hygiene and CBT-I protocols for anxiety-driven insomnia


    These are not generic tips. They are structured clinical interventions delivered within a personalised treatment plan.

What to Expect in Anxiety Therapy with Me

In our first session, we map out what your anxiety looks like: where it shows up, what triggers it, how you respond to it and how it is affecting your life. We identify your goals together and begin developing a structured treatment plan.

Depending on your difficulties, therapy may involve identifying and testing anxious thoughts, reducing avoidance, behavioural experiments, exposure, developing coping strategies or working on patterns such as perfectionism and excessive worry.

You will usually leave sessions with something practical to work on between appointments. Progress is reviewed regularly and the treatment plan is adapted as your needs change.

Book a free consultation

Online Anxiety Therapy in Hong Kong

All sessions are conducted online during Hong Kong office hours. Online therapy can provide a convenient and private way to access psychological treatment without travelling to a clinic, which can be particularly helpful for busy professionals and expats.

Where CBT is appropriate, structured CBT techniques can be delivered through online sessions. During an initial consultation, we can discuss whether online therapy is suitable for your individual circumstances.

Anxiety Therapy in English and French

Sessions are available in English and French. I am a UK-trained Clinical Psychologist with NHS clinical experience, BABCP accreditation and membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.

I work primarily with adults in Hong Kong, including professionals and expats who prefer to access psychological therapy online.

You Do Not Have to Be in Crisis to Seek Help

Many people wait until anxiety is severely affecting their life before reaching out. You do not need to reach that point. If anxiety is quietly running in the background, affecting your sleep, your relationships, and your ability to switch off, that is enough of a reason to get support.

HK$2,800 per 50-minute session · Online · English & French · Hong Kong hours

FAQs

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If anxiety has started affecting your work, relationships, sleep or ability to switch off, you don't have to wait until it becomes overwhelming to seek support.

Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what you're experiencing and whether working together would be a good fit.

Book a Free Consultation