Integrative natural support for anxiety and depression at Health Therapies Clinics, Freshwater. Working alongside your GP and psychiatrist — not as a replacement for conventional care, but as a meaningful complement to it.
Anxiety and depression are among the most common health conditions affecting Australians — yet people often suffer for years before seeking support, and when they do, conventional medicine alone does not always provide everything they need to thrive.
At Health Therapies Clinics, we take an integrative approach. We are not here to replace your psychiatrist, psychologist, or GP. We are not here to tell you to come off your medication. What we offer is meaningful, evidence-informed complementary support that works alongside your existing care to address aspects of anxiety and depression that medication and talk therapy alone may not fully reach.
The research base for integrative approaches to mental health is growing. Acupuncture has demonstrated effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and serotonin pathways. Herbal medicine offers a rich pharmacology of adaptogenic and nervine herbs. The gut-brain axis is now well-established — and the microbiome profoundly influences mood. These are not fringe ideas. They are increasingly mainstream, and they are what our practitioners work with every day.
Importantly, we also know when to refer. Our practitioners are trained to recognise when a patient needs more intensive conventional support, and we will always support you in getting that.
HTC's support for anxiety and depression is complementary — not a replacement for medical or psychiatric care. We work collaboratively with your GP, psychiatrist, or psychologist where you have one.
If you are currently taking medication for anxiety or depression, please do not change or cease medication without consulting your prescribing doctor. Our herbal medicine practitioners are trained in herb-drug interactions and will always take your current medications into account.
If you are in crisis, please reach out to:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Depending on your presentation, history, and what you are already receiving from other practitioners, your HTC care plan may draw on one or several of the following.
Acupuncture has measurable effects on the HPA axis — the stress-response system that is chronically dysregulated in anxiety and depression. Research has demonstrated effects on serotonin, norepinephrine, and beta-endorphin pathways. TCM views anxiety as a manifestation of Heart disharmony and disrupted Shen (spirit), while depression often relates to Liver Qi stagnation and Kidney deficiency. Treatment is deeply relaxing and activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the physiological opposite of the fight-or-flight state that underlies anxiety.
Both Western and Chinese herbal traditions offer a rich pharmacopoeia for anxiety and depression. Adaptogenic herbs — including Withania (Ashwagandha), Rhodiola, and Eleutherococcus — support the body's resilience to stress. Nervine herbs including Passionflower, Ziziphus, and Lavender have demonstrated anxiolytic effects. Formulas are individually prescribed and regularly reviewed. Our practitioners are trained in herb-nutrient-drug interactions and take your current medications into account at every consultation.
The gut-brain axis is one of the most significant developments in mental health science in recent decades. Up to 95% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut. Dysbiosis, intestinal permeability, and neuroinflammation are increasingly implicated in depression. Our naturopaths work with dietary patterns, targeted supplementation (omega-3s, zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D), and microbiome support. Functional testing can reveal specific nutritional deficiencies or inflammatory markers that are driving mood symptoms.
Our counsellors use an integrative therapeutic framework drawing on somatic awareness, cognitive-behavioural approaches, acceptance and commitment principles, and mind-body techniques including breathwork and guided relaxation. The therapeutic relationship itself — a consistent, boundaried, compassionate connection — has measurable effects on mood and nervous system regulation. Counselling is available as a standalone service or as part of a broader integrative care plan.
Physical touch has a direct and measurable effect on the autonomic nervous system. Remedial massage activates the parasympathetic branch, reducing cortisol and increasing oxytocin and serotonin. For patients with anxiety, the physical experience of being held and supported in a safe, professional environment can be profoundly regulating. Regular massage is increasingly recognised as a clinically meaningful adjunct to conventional mental health care — not a luxury, but a therapeutic tool.
Sound healing using Tibetan singing bowls and other resonant instruments offers a gentle and accessible entry point for patients who find other therapies confronting. The vibration and tone of therapeutic instruments has demonstrated effects on the vagus nerve — a key pathway for parasympathetic nervous system activation and emotional regulation. Sound healing sessions are deeply calming and suitable for people with high anxiety or sensory sensitivity.
We hold these principles at the centre of how we work with patients experiencing anxiety and depression.
Mental health challenges carry unnecessary stigma. At HTC, your experience is taken seriously and met with compassion. There is no right way to feel, and no timeline for recovery.
We support and complement your existing care team — GP, psychiatrist, psychologist. With your consent, we will communicate with other treating practitioners to ensure coordinated care.
We look at the whole picture — sleep, nutrition, gut health, nervous system, relationships, work stress, and physical health — because mood disorders do not exist in isolation from the rest of your life.
Our practitioners stay current with the research. We use traditional wisdom where it has stood the test of time, and we are guided by clinical evidence where it exists. We will always be honest with you about what we know and what we do not.
Our practitioners are trained to recognise when a patient needs more intensive conventional support. We will always refer when appropriate and will support you in accessing what you need.
You are in control of your own care. We will explain what we are recommending and why, answer all your questions, and adjust our approach as your needs evolve.
HICAPS on-the-spot private health fund claiming is available for acupuncture and remedial massage. Concession rates are available for counselling — please enquire.
| Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture Initial Consultation | 90 min | $200 HICAPS |
| Acupuncture Follow-up | 60 min | $175 HICAPS |
| Naturopathy Initial | 75 min | $170 |
| Naturopathy Follow-up | 45 min | $130 |
| Counselling Initial | 60 min | $180 |
| Counselling Follow-up | 50 min | $150 |
| Counselling — Concession | 50 min | $120 |
| Remedial Massage | 60 min | $120 HICAPS |
| Sound Healing Session | 60 min | $110 |
See our full pricing page for all fees and details.
