Shamistra Soysa

DPsych Clinical Psychology from University of Western Australia, Australia

BSc (Hons) Experimental Psychology from University of Bristol, UK

Dr. Shamistra Soysa has worked in the field of psychology and mental health for more than a decade in multiple countries including Australia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and greater China. She has worked in clinical and non-clinical settings with a special focus on adults presenting with difficulties arising from anxiety, overwhelming emotions, perfectionism, low self-esteem and stress.

Shamistra works within an evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework and draws on techniques such as mindfulness, acceptance, imagery rescripting and story telling. Her priority in her work is to build a strong therapeutic alliance based on genuine curiosity, warmness, and validation, and to use the therapeutic relationship as a safe space to facilitate personal growth and well-being. She has lived in several countries and  is aware of the challenges of expat life, and is sensitive to cultural differences that may arise in a therapy setting.

Shamistra is also a firm believer in capacity development and universal access to mental health care, and has worked as a supervisor and mentor to postgraduate clinical psychology students to facilitate a future generation of mental health practitioners.

Registered Psychologist of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA PSY0001621131)