Meet the Team
Who We Are
We aren’t just any old psychs and we don’t want to be!
We’re here for you whether you need a quick check in, or if you’re ready to open up about long term concerns. We are committed to helping you on your journey towards living a life of meaning and satisfaction, encouraging and motivating when needed, and walking alongside you when things get tough.
Our Mindscape Practitioners bring their authentic selves to therapy – you are going to meet the real us, and we are going to get to know the real you. We believe that therapy can be fun, empowering, and can shift gears from the deep and serious conversations, to finding the joy and the funny.
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Principal Psychologist & Co-Director
Sahra has been a Registered Psychologist for about 14 years, and has co-owned Mindscape with Joanne for the last 10.
Sahra works with adults and adolescents to identify their strengths, gain an understanding of what is important to them (their values), and build their sense of self-esteem and confidence. She provides a warm and encouraging safe space for people to be themselves, without fear of judgement, and where they can always find acceptance. Sahra believes in and values authenticity, self-compassion, and willingness to try new things in the therapy space, and in life.
Sahra works a lot with anxiety and stress management, PTSD and complex or historical trauma, interpersonal and relationship difficulties, and self-esteem. She has a keen interest in working with LGBTQI+ and gender diverse individuals, people in non-traditional relationships, People of Colour and those from diverse cultural backgrounds, and anyone who has experienced marginalisation based on any of their identities. Sahra is an Intersectional Feminist Psychologist, and loves working in a systemic way (using the Power Threat Meaning Framework) with individuals on issues surrounding trauma, identity, sexuality, wellbeing, and power structures.
Sahra has been trained in a range of therapies which she uses with clients flexibly, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Schema Therapy. Sahra is also interested in Systems Theory and Family Systems approaches, and offers family therapy alongside individual therapy at Mindscape.
Outside of Mindscape, Sahra is the President of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi), the peak not-for-profit body for Psychologists in Australia, fighting for equality and diversity within the Psychology profession. Sahra has an adorable King Charles Cavalier puppy named Poe (short for Potato Chutney O’Doherty - because that’s what happens when you let your kids name a pet), and loves crafting and crochet. Sahra is interested in the connection between crafting and mental health, and encourages people to engage in their creativity to self-soothe and connect with other likeminded crafters.
Sahra thinks it is weird to have to write up stuff in bios in the third person. She hopes that if you’ve read this far, that you will be keen to book in with her or her team!
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Principal Psychologist & Co-Director
Joanne is Co-Director and Principle Psychologist at Mindscape Psychology, and a proud member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi).
Joanne has gained extensive clinical experience working in a variety of settings such as youth mental health and early intervention, drug/alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation services, psychiatric hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, and private practice. Her experience in private experience drove her passion to establish and develop Mindscape Psychology with Sahra!
Joanne enjoys working with adolescents and adults, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse individuals, mood and anxiety disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder/Complex Trauma, stress, change and transitional periods, substance use and dependence, interpersonal and relationship difficulties, confidence and low self-esteem issues, and personality disorders, in particular Borderline Personality Disorder.
Joanne is trained and experienced in evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Joanne individualises her treatment and support to whom she is working with. Not only does Joanne work with individuals on a one to one basis but she is also an experienced group therapist and a DBT group skills trainer.
Joanne is known for her warmth, authenticity and compassionate approach to counselling and therapy. Joanne will sit with and support you in therapy, helping you to identify your strengths and values so that you can work towards being the best version of yourself in a life you want to live. Joanne believes that each and every one of us will benefit from learning skills and coping mechanisms to manage unhelpful thoughts, emotions and behaviours so that we can navigate the experiences and world in which we live.
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Psychologist & Board Approved Supervisor
India is a Registered Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor who enjoys working with adolescents and adults in a therapeutic setting. India has experience in providing early intervention in youth mental health settings as well as longer-term intervention in a private practice setting, and is passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of people across the lifespan.
India enjoys taking creative approaches to treatment by integrating multiple evidence-based therapeutic approaches to find what best works for each client. This includes strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, as well as other therapeutic modalities.
India’s interests include providing support for anxiety and worry, building skills to manage study and workplace stress, helping to increase self-esteem and confidence, and dealing with life changes. She builds strong, trusting relationships with her clients, to be able to embark on a journey together towards a client’s wellness.
India loves expanding her knowledge, and this extends to learning about her clients and how to help them. She believes that knowledge leads to understanding, and aims to help her clients understand and accept themselves and their experiences more. One of her favourite things to do in session is ask a question that makes her client think about themself or a situation in a different way. India loves learning alongside her clients, and helping them learn effective strategies to support their mental health.
Outside of Mindscape, India is a history nerd and loves to travel, and is the happiest when she’s found a way to combine the two! Some of her favourite pastimes include planning her next holiday and watching historically based shows.
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Provisional Psychologist
Russell is a dedicated therapist with extensive experience working with both adolescents and adults in private practice and community outreach programs. His passion lies in assisting individuals who have faced challenging life experiences, aiming to alleviate anxiety symptoms, address depression, process complex trauma and grief, resolve relationship issues, and enhance self-esteem. In his spare time, he loves to watch sports, play chess, and dive down philosophical rabbit holes contemplating life's biggest questions.
Russell adopts a client-focused approach and employs a variety of therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, adjusting his methods to best suit each individual's needs. Authenticity is a core value in Russell’s therapeutic practice. He believes that confronting and embracing one’s genuine thoughts, feelings, and self, rather than avoiding or denying them, can significantly ease the therapeutic process and overall life experience. Although being authentic can be challenging initially, Russell finds that with time and acceptance, it can make therapy and life more effective and fulfilling.
Another fundamental value for Russell is self-acceptance. He understands that knowing oneself is distinct from accepting oneself, and this process requires patience and practice. However, achieving self-acceptance can profoundly transform one’s perspective on life for the better. Russell also values the importance of seeking help. He recognizes that asking for help can be difficult but is essential for mental well-being and maintaining healthy relationships. He emphasises that seeking support does not diminish one’s strengths or worth; rather, it offers numerous benefits.
Russell is committed to creating a safe space where clients can openly share their most vulnerable and authentic selves. He feels privileged to support individuals on their journey toward self-awareness, self-acceptance, and mental wellness.
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Associate Psychologist
Alex is a registered psychologist with AHRPA and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi). Alex runs her practice, Mody Psychology, from Mindscape’s rooms in Leichhardt.
Alex believes in a whole person approach to mental health, working with the biopsychosocial model and considering all factors in a client’s life that could be causing them distress.
Alex has experience working with a wide variety of mental health and developmental concerns; including but not limited to depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, ADHD and ASD. Alex is comfortable working across the lifespan from young children to older adults. She has a passion for helping clients feel safe and comfortable to explore the issues and stressors impacting their mental health. She believes in finding the right mix of therapeutic techniques to suit an individual and support them in the way they find most comfortable and helpful.
Alex uses a mix of therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Play Based CBT, Motivational Interview and Mindfulness.
Alex understands that the value of the therapeutic relationship cannot be underestimated and practices unconditional positive regard with all her clients.
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Senior Admin Extraordinaire
Meet Tiana, our Senior Admin Extraordinaire, who brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt passion for caring for people. With a vibrant background as a Nurse’s Assistant in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dental Nurse, Doula, and more, Tiana’s journey through the healthcare field has equipped her with unique knowledge and perspective.
Tiana is committed to cultivating a supportive and welcoming environment that ensures our practice operates seamlessly. She uplifts and empowers everyone she encounters, dedicated to making a meaningful impact through attentive listening, holding space, and nurturing connections, all while exuding a friendly voice and warm smile.
Tiana embodies her passion for holistic wellness and integrates creativity into every facet of her work. She approaches life with gratitude, dancing through each day with a spirit that brings fresh ideas to our team. Whether organizing the practice or connecting with clients, Tiana strives to brighten every day and ensure each experience is exceptional.
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Practice Coordinator
Lucy is our Practice Coordinator. She is an enthusiastic and passionate member of the Mindscape team with a flair for the creative. With years of experience in customer service under her belt, she has a deep passion for empathy and people. She is in her second year of a Bachelor of Counselling and is excited to learn all she can about running a private practice built on compassion and self expression. With a long-standing eagerness to help people, you’ll most likely be chatting to her if you call or e-mail us with any queries! In her downtime Lucy creates digital and sculptural art, and has a special interest in badly drawn mediaeval creatures.
Get in Touch
If you would like to find out if Mindscape Psychology is the right service for you, please contact us and speak to one of friendly team members.
Suites 3-4,
122A Norton Street,
Leichhardt NSW 2040
(by appointment only)
P: 0435 438 462
F: (02) 9094 2217
E: mindscape.psychology@gmail.com