Centre for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD)

The Centre for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) is a specialist cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service providing evidence-based assessment for anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and related conditions.

CARD provides outpatient services for adults aged 18 to 65 years residing within the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SAHLN) catchment area. The specialist Anxiety Inpatient Program accepts referrals on a statewide basis.

Treatment is delivered within a stepped-care framework, ensuring consumers receive the least intensive, most appropriate intervention initially, with capacity to “step up” to more intensive or specialist treatment when clinically indicated.

Conditions treated

Anxiety Disorders

  • Panic Disorder
  • Specific Phobia
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  • Health Anxiety Disorder

OCD and Related Disorders

  • Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Hoarding Disorder
  • Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
  • Excoriation (Skin-Picking Disorder)
  • Onychophagia (Chronic Nail-Biting Disorder)
  • Tic Disorder
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Trauma-Related Presentations

  • PTSD resulting from a single, non-interpersonal traumatic event (e.g. accident, natural disaster, sudden illness)
    (Not complex or interpersonal trauma)

Treatment Pathway

Treatment begins with a comprehensive CBT-based assessment, followed by evidence-based therapy tailored to individual needs.

Step 2 CBT
Initial treatment typically consists of up to eight phone-based guided self-help CBT sessions.

Step 3 CBT
Where clinically indicated, clients may progress to higher-intensity CBT delivered face-to-face or via telehealth. This phase typically involves 12 to 20 sessions and is supported by structured follow-up sessions at 1, 3, and 6 months post-discharge to consolidate treatment gains and promote ongoing self-management.

Step 4 CBT
For consumers requiring more intensive support, access to a specialist Anxiety Inpatient Program is available.

Services not provided
CARD does not provide:

  • Long-term or open-ended therapy
  • Medication review or prescribing
  • Reports for non-clinical purposes (e.g. court matters, NDIS, Centrelink, DSP, workers’ compensation)

Service Locations

Outpatient Services

G4 The Flats
Flinders Medical Centre
Flinders Drive, Bedford Park

Inpatient Services

Ward 4GP
Flinders Medical Centre
Flinders Drive, Bedford Park

Referral Pathway

CARD accepts referrals from registered health professionals for:

  • Outpatient services (consumers residing in the SAHLN catchment area)
  • Specialist Anxiety Inpatient Program (consumers residing statewide)

Referrals may be submitted by:

  • General practitioners
  • Nurses
  • Allied health practitioners
  • Other registered clinicians

Access to CARD is subject to the service’s eligibility criteria. All referrals are reviewed against established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Not all individuals referred will be offered treatment.

Referrers are requested to ensure referrals are appropriate and meet published eligibility requirements prior to submission. Service scope and eligibility criteria are clearly outlined on the referral form.

This process supports timely access to appropriate treatment, minimises unnecessary inconvenience for consumers, and ensures the efficient use of service resources.

Referral Requirements

All referrals must be submitted using the current CARD Referral Form (updated annually). 

Please ensure that:

  • Referrals are submitted via fax: (08) 8204 5984
  • All sections of the form are completed
  • Sufficient clinical information is provided to support eligibility assessment

Following review:

  • Eligible clients will be contacted to commence appointment scheduling
  • If the service is not appropriate, referrers will be notified and alternative options suggested where possible

Incomplete or out-of-scope referrals cannot be processed. These documents will be returned for completion, correction, or redirection.

Contact details

Unit Manager: Dr Zhila Javidi
Service: Flinders Psychological Therapy Services (including CARD, SGTS, IAPT and AGTS)
Flinders Medical Centre
Flat G4, The Flats, Flinders Drive
Bedford Park SA 5042
Phone: (08) 8204 4779
Fax: (08) 8204 5984