My Approach

My trauma-informed approach to therapy is to create a comfortable, safe, accepting space where my clients can be vulnerable when it feels right to them. I also challenge my clients when it is appropriate. I believe that healing and growth occurs when you are able to safely step out of your comfort zone and experience the world in a different way, from a different perspective. Of course, this is uncomfortable at times, but I will be there with you in that moment to help guide you through the discomfort and pain, to a space of healing; whatever that looks like for you.

My Experience

I have extensive experience working in public mental health, providing crisis support to people in their greatest time of need. I have had the privilege of supporting people of all backgrounds from the point of an acute episode of severe mental illness (ie severe depression including suicidal ideation, psychosis or mania) through their recovery and back to their baseline (their usual self). The part I enjoy most about my job is developing a relationship with my clients, getting to know who they are underneath it all, what drives and motivates them, what they look forward to, and what they struggle with (what a surprise, I am a psychologist after all).

My Special Interest

I also have a special interest in, and am trained in, perinatal and infant mental health (this includes pre-conception, during pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and perinatal grief and loss). I have worked for several years in perinatal and infant mental health in the public sector and enjoy working within the dyad of a parent-baby relationship. The focus of this work is 1) supporting a parent experiencing mental illness or emotional difficulty, and 2) supporting the connection between the parent(s) and infant, and ensuring bub has the best chance to develop a secure attachment style. 

This is the epitome of early intervention, and usually involves engaging with a parent or parents who are struggling with the transition to parenthood (who knew parenthood was a minefield of chaos?!). Sometimes this comes with perinatal mental illness, such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or postpartum psychosis. However, sometimes this stems from very typical experiences which are not well understood by the parents. For example, some new parents do not get an immediate flood of strong, positive emotions when they first ‘meet’ their newborn baby. This can be very normal. But some parents don’t realise this is a normal experience, and thus, may have a lot of shame and internalised criticism around this. Everyone’s birth experience is different! I can help parents come to terms with this and similar parenting experiences which may be impacting their bond with their baby.

Therapeutic Modalities

The types of therapy I draw on are Compassion-Focused Therapy, Circle of Security, ACT, CBT, DBT, and Schema Therapy. I offer neuro-affirming care to clients who are neurodiverse (ie autistic, ADHD) and gender- and sexuality-affirming care to clients in the LGBTQIA+ community.