Why professionals and athletes in Double Bay are turning to therapy to protect their mental wellbeing.
High achievement often looks good on the outside, career wins, packed calendars, goals ticked off one after the other. But for many high-performing individuals, that polished exterior hides a different story. One of exhaustion, anxiety, perfectionism, and the quiet fear of not being able to keep up.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. More professionals, athletes, and creatives in Double Bay and across Sydney are turning to therapy to prevent burnout, process performance-related stress, and reconnect with what really matters. At AR Psychology, you will find a space where high standards are not judged, but gently unpacked. A place where you do not have to “hold it all together” just to be supported.
The Hidden Cost of Performance
High-performing people are often praised for their ability to push through challenges. But over time, that constant drive to deliver can become emotionally and physically draining.
You might experience:
- Difficulty switching off, even after work or training
- Imposter syndrome or a fear of being found out
- Loss of enjoyment in things you used to love
- Sleep issues, tight muscles, headaches or stomach pain
- Emotional outbursts or a sense of being on edge
- Feeling disconnected from friends, family, or yourself
These symptoms are not weaknesses. They are signals from your nervous system that something is off balance.
Why Success Alone is Not Always Enough
It is possible to be highly successful and deeply unfulfilled at the same time. The goalposts move, the pressure grows, and at some point, many high achievers realise they have lost touch with their own values.
Working with Annabel Rolley can help you:
- Understand the root of your stress and performance patterns
- Rebuild your relationship with rest, achievement and failure
- Set boundaries without guilt
- Develop practical tools to manage pressure
- Explore who you are outside of your role or identity
It is not about lowering your standards. It is about sustaining success without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Meet Annabel Rolley: Double Bay psychologist with real-world experience
Annabel Rolley knows performance pressure firsthand. Before becoming a psychologist, she was a professional golfer and media presenter. These experiences taught her how high the stakes can feel when the spotlight is on you and what it means to find clarity when the noise gets too loud.
Today, Annabel works with adults from a wide range of professions, executives, creatives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders, supporting them through challenges that come with visibility, responsibility, and ambition.
Her practice is located in Double Bay, offering both in-person and online therapy sessions in a discreet, welcoming space.
What is Performance Psychology?
Performance psychology is not just for athletes. It is about developing mental resilience and emotional balance in high-pressure settings, on the field, in the boardroom, in front of a camera, or in everyday life.
Annabel integrates techniques from:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to manage unhelpful thought patterns
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to align actions with values
- Mindfulness and body-awareness practices to manage stress and build presence
- Schema Therapy to explore deeper belief systems and performance-related self-worth
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand internal parts like the perfectionist, the critic, or the inner coach
Together, these approaches help clients move from reactive to reflective. From surviving to performing with purpose.
What to expect from therapy with AR Psychology by Annabel Rolley
Therapy is tailored to what you are going through. There is no script, no pressure, and no expectation that you need to “prove” your struggles.
During your sessions, you might explore:
- Why pressure affects you the way it does
- How early experiences shaped your inner dialogue
- The gap between what you are achieving and how you are feeling
- What rest and recovery could look like on your terms
- Strategies for staying focused and grounded under stress
Some clients come in short-term for a specific challenge, while others continue long-term to deepen self-awareness and prevent future burnout.
AR Psychology Location and How to Get Started
AR Psychology by Annabel Rolley is located at: Suite 5, 442 New South Head Road, Double Bay, NSW 2028.
The practice is close to public transport and has street parking nearby. Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. Annabel also offers secure telehealth appointments for clients who prefer remote sessions.
You can book online directly or reach out via email at annabel@annabelrolleypsychology.com if you have questions or want to talk first.
A Supportive Tool between Therapy Sessions
If you are looking to build self-awareness between appointments, Annabel also developed a wellness companion app called Interpretr.ai. The app offers psychological prompts, daily reflections, and a calm space to think things through when life feels hectic.
It is not a substitute for therapy, but it is a helpful companion to continue your progress outside the session.
If you have always been the one people rely on, it can feel uncomfortable to ask for support. But therapy does not mean you are failing. It means you are smart enough to recognise that performance and wellbeing need to go hand in hand.
If you are looking for a trusted psychologist in Double Bay who understands the complexities of success, pressure and identity, AR Psychology by Annabel Rolley offers a warm, grounded space to do that work.
You do not have to do it alone. You just have to start.
