About Sandra

As a psychotherapist the relationship I have with my client is the foundation to our work, building the therapeutic relationship to be safe and trusting is the most important part of therapy. It is through this relationship we build safety to talk about difficulties and explore what may be causing distress and disturbance. 

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I have spent my career specialising in trauma and have a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, I help people process and make sense of things that have happened in their life. I blend evidence based therapies with neuroscience and practical experience.  

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I have a particular interest in supporting those that have served in the military as this is part of the reason I became a Psychologist. I also specialise in working with emergency services and caring for people with complex histories.

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I have particular interest in reprocessing trauma through EMDR; growth after trauma; and suicidality.
 
Working with adults one-on-one I give them time and space to reconnect with their inner resources, to help them understand the innate healing wisdom of their body and heal from trauma. I take an integrative approach in my work and I value being in relationship with my clients, looking for that moment of synchronicity, honouring the space that is between client and therapist. 

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I have a love of learning and a curious mind and I continually learn and practice new things in service of my clients. I have many influences and follow the work of Thomas Joiner on suicidality; Richard Tedeschi on Post Traumatic Growth; Kathy Steele and her work on complex trauma and disassociation; and Francine Shapiro and Roger Solomon and their work on EMDR Psychotherapy. I am informed by Stephen Borges work in Polyvagal Theory and am influenced by Russ Harris on Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Brene Brown and her research on emotions, particularly shame and vulnerability. Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein have provided my guidance on Buddhism and the Dharma.

 

It seems I have a book addiction and will never stop reading and absorbing! 

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I have a depth of experience facilitating experiential workshops and specialise in Peer Support Programs in emergency service organisations. I really enjoy being part of a facilitation team and facilitating intensive, experiential,  residential peer support workshops.