Therapeutic Approaches

Therapeutic approaches in Alexandria, Sydney

I draw from evidence-based, trauma-informed and neuroaffirming approaches, adapting therapy around you rather than asking you to fit one rigid model.

In-person in Alexandria · Telehealth available

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Personalised psychotherapy

Therapy shaped around you

I don’t believe there is one therapeutic approach that suits everyone.

You may arrive knowing exactly what you would like support with, or simply knowing that something does not feel right. My role is not to fit you into a predetermined model, but to understand what is happening for you and shape our work around your needs, experiences and goals.

Depending on what feels most appropriate, I may draw from several therapeutic approaches throughout our work together. Some sessions may be practical and focused on what is happening now. Others may explore deeper patterns, experiences, emotional responses or beliefs that continue to affect how you feel and relate to yourself or others.

We can decide together what feels useful, at a pace that feels manageable.

Integrative therapy

Approaches I may draw from

Illustration of a person on steps within a profile silhouette.

01

EMDR Therapy

Processing experiences that still feel emotionally present

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapeutic approach that can be used to work with distressing experiences and memories.

During EMDR, bilateral stimulation such as guided eye movements may be used while we carefully work with particular memories, emotions or responses. The aim is to support processing in a way that may help those experiences feel less overwhelming in the present.

I will always work collaboratively with you and consider whether EMDR feels appropriate before beginning this kind of work.

A green tree canopy forming a profile, representing mind and body awareness.

02

Brainspotting

A body-focused way of exploring deeper emotional material

Brainspotting is a body-based therapeutic approach that explores the connection between where you look and what you notice internally.

Rather than relying only on talking through an experience, we may pay attention to emotions, sensations and responses that arise while your visual focus rests in a particular position.

For some people, this can provide another way of approaching experiences that feel difficult to put into words.

A figure walking beside a long shadow, representing patterns carried over time.

03

Schema Therapy

Understanding patterns that may have followed you for years

Schema Therapy explores long-standing patterns in how you think, feel, respond and relate to yourself and other people.

These patterns often make sense when viewed in the context of earlier experiences, even when they are no longer helping you in your life today.

Together, we can begin recognising those patterns with curiosity rather than judgement, understand the needs underneath them and explore healthier ways of responding.

04

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Working with beliefs connected to difficult experiences

Cognitive Processing Therapy, or CPT, is a structured therapeutic approach commonly used when difficult or traumatic experiences have influenced how you understand yourself, other people or the world around you.

We may explore beliefs that developed around what happened and consider whether they continue to reflect your life and circumstances now.

The work is collaborative and focused on helping you develop perspectives that feel more balanced and useful.

05

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviour

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, emotions and behaviours influence one another.

Together, we can notice patterns that may be contributing to distress or keeping you feeling stuck and explore practical ways of responding differently.

CBT can be particularly useful when having a clear framework and practical strategies feels helpful.

06

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Making space for difficult experiences while moving towards what matters

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses less on eliminating every difficult thought or feeling and more on changing the relationship you have with them.

We may explore mindfulness, acceptance, personal values and the actions that help you move towards the kind of life you want to create.

The aim is greater psychological flexibility rather than expecting yourself to feel or think perfectly.

07

Motivational Interviewing

Finding your own reasons for change

Sometimes part of you wants something to change while another part feels uncertain, resistant or simply not ready.

Motivational Interviewing provides a collaborative way of exploring that ambivalence without judgement or pressure.

Rather than telling you what you should do, I help you clarify what matters to you and identify your own reasons for moving forward.

Related service

What about Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Clinical Hypnotherapy is also part of my therapeutic work, but because I offer this as a dedicated service, I have created a separate page explaining it in more detail.

Hypnotherapy can be integrated with psychotherapy where it feels appropriate for your needs, goals and preferences.

Explore Clinical Hypnotherapy

Areas of support

What I can support you with

I work with adults who may be seeking support around areas including:

  • Anxiety and overthinking

    When worry, tension or uncertainty is taking up more space than you would like.

  • Trauma and difficult experiences

    When experiences from the past continue to affect how you feel, respond or relate in the present.

  • OCD and intrusive thoughts

    Support with unwanted thoughts, repetitive patterns and the distress that can accompany them.

  • ADHD and autism

    Neuroaffirming support that respects how your mind works rather than treating difference as something that needs to be fixed.

  • Chronic stress and overwhelm

    When you feel stretched, emotionally exhausted or unable to properly switch off.

  • Depression and disconnection

    Support when life feels flat, heavy, disconnected or difficult to engage with.

  • Sleep and insomnia

    Exploring psychological and emotional factors that may be contributing to difficulties around sleep.

  • Chronic illness and changes in health

    Support in making sense of the emotional impact that illness, health changes or uncertainty can have.

  • Body-focused repetitive patterns

    Exploring the emotions, experiences and patterns surrounding repetitive behaviours where appropriate within my scope of practice.

Where we begin

You don't need to choose the approach

You do not need to arrive knowing whether EMDR, Brainspotting, Schema Therapy, CBT or another approach is right for you.

That is something we can work out together.

I will first focus on understanding what has been happening, what you would like support with, what you have already tried and what you hope might feel different.

From there, we can shape therapy around you rather than around the name of a therapeutic model.

Malak’s warm, softly lit therapy room in Alexandria, Sydney.

Alexandria · Telehealth

Psychotherapy in Alexandria and via telehealth

I provide in-person psychotherapy from my therapy space in Alexandria, Sydney, with telehealth appointments also available.

Being based in Alexandria makes in-person appointments accessible for people across Sydney's inner-south and surrounding areas, while telehealth provides greater flexibility if travelling to the practice does not suit you.

Whichever way we meet, the same principle applies: therapy should feel thoughtful, collaborative and centred on what you need.

  • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
  • In-person therapy in Alexandria
  • Telehealth available
  • Personalised, evidence-based support
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Professional support

Professional memberships & credentials

  • Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists
  • AASW Level 2 EMDR credential
  • AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker credential
  • EMDR Association of Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

A little more clarity before you begin.

No. You do not need to choose a particular therapy before making an enquiry. We can first explore what is happening for you and then discuss the approaches that may be appropriate.

A place to begin

You don't need to know where to begin.

If you are unsure which approach feels right, that is completely okay. We can start with what has been happening for you and work out the next step together.

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In-person in Alexandria · Telehealth available