Rachel Cleary

I have enjoyed working as a therapist for almost 20 years in both university settings and in private practice.  I continue to feel both privileged and inspired working with people through life transitions and for their growth. 

I have an integrative therapeutic approach, having been trained in a number of therapeutic modalities ~ each modality offering different strengths and points of focus for therapeutic work and together they combine to offer a powerful, holistic approach to a client’s issue or life transition.

I am an ardent lifelong learner and have a strong commitment to continuing professional development in diverse therapeutic modalities and in treating diverse life issues. My professional practice as a psychologist has been enhanced by previous studies in the humanities, in the areas of culture, language, history, religion and literature. I believe that there is much to learn about the art and science of human happiness and mental and emotional wellbeing from diverse cultural and spiritual/wisdom traditions. I am excited by more recent neuroscientific, evidence-based validation for such ancient practices of mental health and wellbeing as mindfulness, meditation, breathwork and yoga, for the “medicine” or healing potential of storytelling and narrative and for therapeutic work with sand, play and symbol as in Expressive therapies.

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I am working towards a PhD in the area of Transcultural Psychology. Within Australia’s multicultural context, we live in a time of exciting and challenging integration of peoples, knowledges and cultures.  This has an impact on the provision of mental health services, and I am passionate about the provision of culturally responsive therapy and mental healthcare for culturally and linguistically diverse clients. I believe that the psych-sciences (both in knowledge and practice) are evolving beyond their roots in western civilisation to more fully honour, encompass and integrate the healing knowledges, wisdoms, practises, arts and sciences of many peoples globally.

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Areas of Interest:

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• Anxiety

• Depression 

• Stress

• Life transitions and Adjustments

• Career Development/Transitions/ Burnout

• Relationship issues

• Couples Counselling

• Identity/ Self-Exploration

• Emotional Regulation/ Anger Management

• Generalised Anxiety and Social Anxiety

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Grief and loss

• Trauma- informed ~ Complex Trauma and PTSD

• Parenting Issues

• Sleep health