My Approach

Psychologist | Trauma therapy | Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | Mentalisation-based therapy | MERIT | Trauma-Informed | Brisbane Northside |

I view therapy largely as a process of growing our self-awareness and self-understanding; of being able to think about what previously felt unthinkable; of learning to approach the unwanted parts of ourselves with compassion; and of trying out new ways of relating so that we may live in a more fulfilling and authentic manner. This involves more than therapy being simply an intellectual exercise. It also involves us getting to know, feel, and process our emotions (particularly those that may have previously gone unacknowledged) and developing the necessary skills and therapeutic support to do so.

I work from the belief that the relationships we hold with ourselves and others form the foundations for the positive and negative mental and emotional wellbeing outcomes we experience. With that in mind, I try my best to provide a safe, collaborative, and empathic therapeutic relationship for every client - one where clients are safe to experience their genuine self, and therefore get to know themselves and their experiences deeply and fully. I keep an awareness of the fact that for all of us, our behaviours and unique ways of experiencing the world are largely shaped by the sum of our experiences. With this shared human quality in mind, I hope to explore and understand with clients their experiences in a non-shaming, non-judgemental, and curious manner. By building a supportive and accepting therapy environment I hope that clients will be able to develop more understanding, compassionate, and genuine ways of relating with themselves and the world around them.

I tend towards a holistic and integrative approach drawing from a range of evidence-based approaches depending on your needs and goals. I am passionate about the practice of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, particularly Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which seeks to understand how past experiences and relationships influence current patterns of emotional experience and relating (including within the therapy relationship). The goal of this longer term therapy is to develop healthier and more fulfilling connections with oneself and others.

In our work together, I may also draw upon the following approaches:

Attachment-based frameworks (e.g. Circle of Security, Interpersonal Psychotherapy),
Mentalisation and metacognitive approaches (e.g. Mentalisation-Based Treatment, MERIT),
Imagery rescripting,
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD,
Tri-phasic trauma-informed model for trauma therapy,
Graded exposure/systematic desensitisation,
Mindfulness approaches, and
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Therapy is different for each individual. However, therapy is always a space where you are welcome to bring all parts of yourself and where uncomfortable feelings and thoughts can be shared. Please contact me if you would like to know more about my approach or any of the therapeutic approaches listed.

Cherie is trained in psychodynamic and mentalisation based treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD). She also draws upon dialectical behavioural therapy skills to aid individuals with emotional dysregulation to allow them to better engage in deeper work.