Offering a safe, non judgemental space for all minds, bodies, and identities

Hi, I’m Susie

Susie - a New Zealand born, queer, asian psychotherapist providing trauma-informed, intersectional counselling and psychotherapy.

I am a registered psychotherapist who offers culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+ and sex-worker friendly counselling and psychotherapy. My treatment approach is holistic, compassionate, and specifically tailored to each clients unique needs. I help clients to build stronger internal resources to overcome the inevitable hurdles of life and gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, relationships, and experiences. I place importance on the mind-body connection, recognising emotional and physical disturbances that can result from a disconnection between the two. I support clients to safely explore feelings and sensations facilitating a better understanding of one’s internal landscape which promotes healing and growth.

As a relational psychotherapist, I consider the therapeutic relationship to be an important element of the work. This corresponds with research findings which consistently show that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential for successful therapy outcomes. For this reason, I generally work with clients on a regular weekly or sometimes fortnightly basis. My professional training and experience has been informed by diverse cultural perspectives, psychodynamic theory, attachment and other developmental theories, neuroscience, trauma research, and embodied awareness.  

A rugged landscape with colorful rocks, patches of snow, and a glacier in the distance under cloudy skies.

Professional interests and qualifications

I am an ACA registered psychotherapist, licensed to work with clients in Australia and internationally (excluding the U.S). I completed my post graduate training at AUT (NZ) where I obtained a Master of Psychotherapy with first class honours. I have a love for dance and movement which initially sparked my therapeutic interest in the connection of mind-body. This later developed into my thesis topic which centred around embodiment in psychotherapy. I continue to deepen my understanding on this topic through ongoing professional development and training.

I acknowledge my position as a settler on colonised land, both here on Wurundjeri land and in my home country Aotearoa New Zealand. My life experiences of my intersectional identities have led to my interest in client experiences of marginalisation and my commitment to inclusive treatment approaches.

Currently, I am working in private practice in Melbourne. Prior to this I worked in community settings including community clinics and not-for-profit organisations.