Sydney Psychologist & Sydney Counselling Services

Our vision is to provide a holistic service that blends the emotional depth of Psychology with powerful Executive Coaching tools to promote the wellbeing of individuals, working professionals, and couples. Our work is centred around our core values of diversity, compassion and humanity. As a diverse practice, we welcome individuals from all walks of life, of all diverse cultural, gender or sexual identities. Our specialised team of psychologists, counsellors, executive coaches and researchers are highly skilled and experienced in various areas, such as working with stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, life transitions, grief & trauma/ PTSD, and neurodiversity.

While much of what we do might overlap with what is done in standard psychology practices, we take a broader view of our work as being part of the promotion of social justice. We also have a particular focus on mental health support for diversity, the animal welfare/ethical sector and supporting the wellbeing and effectiveness of working professionals. As a diverse practice, we are uniquely suited to supporting individuals of all cultural, gender and sexual identities. Our team also consists of many multilingual therapists.

Certainly. Many of our therapists hold sessions in languages other than English. Xufeng Su - Executive Coach/ Psychologist: English, Cantonese, and Mandarin Dr Tani Khara - Executive Coach/ Counsellor: English, Hindi, and conversational Punjabi Rana Salloum - Counsellor: English, Arabic, and conversational French

Drawing on our unique, extensive experience as Psychologists, Executive Coaches, Psychotherapists, Counsellors and Psychosocial Researchers - and as senior managers in the corporate world, we have created holistic programs that address this link between emotions and skills, both at work and at home. Our tailored programs blend emotion management strategies from the latest Psychological research with powerful Executive Coaching tools, to provide better outcomes in a more convenient, cost effective manner.

Therapy offers a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space to explore your feelings, challenges, and experiences. For many, therapy is a chance to open up about happenings in your personal life, such as if you’re feeling overwhelmed, feeling stuck, or needing to understand yourself on a deeper level.

Therapy can help you to develop healthier and effective coping strategies, and work towards developing and maintaining a higher level of personal and professional wellbeing. You don’t have to wait to try therapy - therapy is for anyone who wants to improve their mental wellbeing. Here at Sentient Professional Wellbeing, we approach therapy in a holistic manner, targeting issues in both personal and professional settings, and helping individuals to improve their overall wellbeing. Our practice is home to a variety of therapists, all specialising in unique areas, such as the corporate landscape and its hierarchical intricacies, neurodiversity and masking, grief and stress within animal welfare and animal care professionals' industry, gender and sexual minority statuses, and cultural differences within society. Starting therapy is a step towards self-care, self-empowerment, and gaining a new understanding of yourself and the world around you.

Evidence-based treatments are therapeutic approaches that have been tested thoroughly and are backed by scientific research. These treatment types have been proven effective through rigorous clinical trials, and are used regularly in various therapeutic settings. Some commonly used evidence-based treatments that you may find in therapy are:​ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT aims to change negative thought patterns and behaviours and promote healthier habits. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This is a form of mindful psychotherapy which provides strategies to help individuals navigate difficult thoughts and emotions with greater mindfulness, positivity, and adaptability. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): This is a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy that focuses on helping individuals to learn and practise useful skills to regulate intense emotions, handle challenging situations, and strengthen their relationships.

We are located in the Sydney CBD and highly accessible by public transport. We are located in the St James Trust Building, on levels 8 and 9, depending on the therapy room you are visiting. All therapy rooms are accessible via lift, with 2 lifts available on both the Elizabeth St. entry and the Castlereagh St. entry. We are: ✓ 5 minutes walk from Town Hall Station ✓ 3 minutes walk from Gadigal Metro Station ✓ 1 minute walk from St James Station We are also close to many bus stops along Hyde Park, as well as secure car parks (paid parking). If your appointment is in Room 816, proceed to the 8th floor of the St James Trust Building. If your appointment is in Room 919, proceed to the 9th floor of the St James Trust Building.

Yes, you can certainly make an appointment with one of our therapists. All of our therapists conduct Telehealth sessions held via online video consult, which can be arranged for clients worldwide. Please kindly note that all sessions will be held in Sydney time, AEST.

Our lovely administration and reception team are ready to help out with any enquiries, from Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm AEST. Reception can be reached at 1300 187 448.

Our lovely administration and reception team are ready to help out with any enquiries, from Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm AEST. Reception can be reached at 1300 187 448. If you are contacting us outside of business hours, please feel free to leave us a message and we will be in contact as soon as possible. If life in danger, call Triple Zero 000 For 24/7 Crisis Support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 For any urgent mental health-related concerns, call The NSW Mental Health Line at 1800 011 51. Mental Health Line is NSW Health's 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health services.

Yes! Our practice is LGBTQIA+ friendly, and we are warm and welcoming to people from all walks of life. In our team we also have therapists who specialise in supporting individuals from a queer background.

As per ethical requirements, all our conversations will be treated in the strictest confidence. Information will only be released to other parties with your written consent and only to the extent specified by you.

A typical session lasts for a duration of one hour (60 minutes) when seeing any of our therapists at Sentient Professional Wellbeing.

A one-off 50% deposit is required at least 48 hours prior to your initial appointment in order for us to confirm your initial session. All subsequent sessions will be charged upon session completion.

Our lovely administration and reception team are ready to help out with any enquiries, from Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm AEST. Reception can be reached at 1300 187 448. Please feel free to reach out via call, SMS or email and one of our lovely team members will graciously assist you with any matter.

When you are placed on a waitlist with one of our therapists, we will contact you via SMS or call, should an appropriate available session open up due to another client cancelling their existing appointment. You are then free to accept this open session or decline.

A Telehealth appointment for therapy is a consultation with a therapist that takes place over a phone or video conference. This is great for individuals who aren’t able to visit our clinic in person, for various reasons. Fees for telehealth appointments are the same as in-person appointments with each therapist, with the added convenience of being able to join sessions from your own space.

In Australia, a Mental Health Care Plan is a document that outlines the treatment and support someone with a mental health condition needs. It is a collaborative effort between the individual and their healthcare provider, typically a general practitioner (GP) or a psychiatrist. If you have a mental health care plan referral from your doctor please ensure that you bring this along with you, or send this to us prior to your initial appointment so that a Medicare rebate can be processed for you. You are eligible to receive a Medicare rebate for 10 x sessions per calendar under a Mental Health Care Plan. Kindly note, in light of the Australian Government's recent announcement, the additional 10 sessions under Medicare's COVID provision has been discontinued and is no longer available once your initial referral has been utilised. If you do not bring a referral with you, we will not be able to process a rebate for you. If you do not have a referral from your doctor you can claim for your appointments through your private health fund. For more information, please visit here: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan

Please visit our Funding & Referrals page for more information about this topic: https://www.sentientpsych.com/funding-referrals

Our Psychologists are registered Medicare Providers, which means that anyone with a referral from their GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan will receive a subsidy for Psychology sessions per calendar year. If you are seeking privately funded sessions (with fees paid solely by the client), you do not need to obtain a GP referral.

Selected psychologists within our team provide services for the following claims: NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Workers Compensation claims Please call 1300 187 448 or send an email to support@sentient.global for more information.

You may be eligible to claim rebates on sessions with our psychologists. You may claim your psychology session from either Medicare or your private health fund, however cannot claim from both services at the same time. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, you may qualify for rebates from Medicare, on up to 10 therapy sessions per calendar year. Your doctor (such as a GP), may write you a referral under a Mental Health Care treatment plan. If you have a private health fund or health insurance, you may be eligible for rebates that will vary depending on your health fund. The amount of rebate and for how many sessions it applies to, may differ between each private health fund or individual plan. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. If you are unsure, our administration and reception team are available to assist with any inquiries, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

No, if you have provided your Medicare details to our reception staff, we will be able to process your Medicare rebate claim directly following your session with your therapist. Alternatively, if you would like to process your own claim, please contact our administration and reception prior to your session.

Clinical Psychologist Typically holds an advanced degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology with a focus on clinical training. Specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders and emotional issues. Often works in clinical settings such as hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practice. Has extensive training in various therapeutic approaches and may conduct psychological testing. Registered Psychologist This term generally indicates that a psychologist is registered or licensed with the relevant professional regulatory body in their jurisdiction. A psychologist can be registered without specifying a particular specialisation, meaning they might work in various fields like education, business, or counselling. While some registered psychologists may specialise in clinical work, others might focus on areas such as organisational psychology, educational psychology, sports psychology, etc. The specific qualifications and requirements for registration may vary by region.

The distinction between a counsellor and a psychologist lies in their education, training, and the scope of practice. Here are some general differences: Counsellor Typically holds a master's degree in counselling or a related field. Focuses on providing guidance, support, and interventions for personal and emotional issues. Often works with individuals, couples, or groups to address specific concerns or challenges. Helps clients develop coping strategies and make decisions. Common settings include schools, community centres, private practice, and organisations. Psychologist Holds a Bachelor's (Honours) or Master's degree in psychology. Can specialise in various areas, such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, organisational psychology, etc. Has a broader scope, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. May use a variety of therapeutic approaches and, in some cases, conduct psychological testing. Works in diverse settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, private practice, academia, and research.

A psychosexual therapist is a specialised type of therapist who works with individuals or couples to address issues related to sexuality and intimate relationships. These professionals are trained to help people navigate and overcome a variety of sexual concerns and difficulties.