About

Welcome to Discern Psychology

I am Yvonne, a Clinical Psychologist with experience in private practice, public mental health services and academic research. I have been in the field for almost a decade, supporting children, adolescents and adults through a broad range of behavioural, emotional and psychological challenges.

Discern Psychology was created to provide a safe and respectful space for women to pause, reflect and explore new ways of how they want to be present in the world. I support individuals to gain clarity and I upskill and empower with evidence-based psychological strategies to help bring about personal growth and meaningful change.

My therapeutic style is authentic, compassionate, collaborative, solution-focused and insights-driven. May aim in therapy is to make you feel comfortable enough to kick off your shoes and have a laugh and a cup of tea with me while we chat about the important things, human to human.

I was born and raised in New Zealand and started my psychology career in New Zealand, before moving to Australia a few years ago. I am a mother myself and can empathise with the joys and challenges of parenthood. Prior to qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, I also worked as a lawyer in the corporate sector and therefore have lived experience of navigating difficult workplace environments and the uncertainty that can happen with changes in career, roles and identity.

Black and white portrait of a young Asian woman with shoulder-length hair, smiling, wearing a polka dot blouse, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

“discern: to see, recognise, or understand something that is not clear”

— Cambridge Dictionary

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

I hold a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, I am a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) and I am registered with AHPRA. I have completed perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and am also a trained Circle of Security group facilitator.

I have experience working with anxiety (including obsessive compulsive disorder), depression, parenting and perinatal mental health, trauma, relationship and other interpersonal difficulties, faith-based issues, workplace related issues, communication skills training, stress, identity, culture, self esteem, chronic pain and medical issues, adjustment issues related to life transitions and neurodiversity (ADHD and ASD). In practice, I work in a trauma-informed manner and draw from various therapeutic modalities (including ACT, CBT, DBT, Schema Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, CFT and internal family systems) to suit the individual’s unique goals, strengths, challenges and circumstances.