Hello
Meet Marlene
I believe that every person has the capacity for growth, healing and resilience, even during life's most difficult moments.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds across public health, private practice, education and leadership settings. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the complexity of human behaviour and the many factors that influence psychological wellbeing.
My approach combines evidence-based therapies with warmth, authenticity and genuine curiosity about each person's unique story.
I understand that seeking support can feel daunting. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is therefore at the heart of my work. My aim is to create a space where you feel heard, understood and supported to move towards meaningful change.
My Story
My journey in psychology began in 1996 when I commenced my studies at James Cook University. Whilst studying, I undertook support work for individuals with complex mental health needs. I graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology in 2001 and later completed a Master of Clinical Psychology in 2008. Since then, I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist in a variety of settings.
Throughout my career, I have remained fascinated by the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity people have to heal, grow and create meaningful change. While my work is grounded in evidence-based practice, I believe that effective therapy is about more than symptom reduction. It is about understanding your story, reconnecting with your strengths, and creating a life that feels authentic, purposeful and aligned with what matters most.
Over the years, I have developed particular interests in trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, women's wellbeing, and helping people navigate periods of uncertainty and change. I am especially passionate about supporting individuals who have spent much of their lives caring for others, meeting expectations, or pushing through adversity, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.
My professional interests have also been shaped by my personal experiences. I am a wife, mother and proud member of a Defence family. My husband has served in Defence for over 30 years, and my son joined the Australian Army several years ago. These experiences have provided valuable insight into the unique challenges faced by serving members, veterans and their families, and contribute to my passion for supporting this community.
The vision for Mind Sanctuary emerged from a desire to create more than a psychology practice. I wanted to create a calm and welcoming space where people feel safe to pause, reflect, heal and grow. A place where compassion, curiosity and evidence-based care come together to support meaningful and lasting change.
Today, it remains a privilege to walk alongside people as they navigate adversity, rediscover their strengths and move towards lives that feel more connected, purposeful and fulfilling.
I value the role professional bodies play in maintaining high standards of practice, ethical governance, and accountability within our profession. At a time when many people offering wellbeing services are not subject to the same level of training, regulation, or oversight, I believe these standards help ensure clients receive safe, evidence-based, and professionally accountable care.
My Approach
I believe that people are not broken and do not need fixing.
Often, our emotional struggles make sense when viewed in the context of our life experiences, relationships, losses, responsibilities and the expectations we place upon ourselves. Therapy provides an opportunity to better understand these experiences, develop greater self-awareness, and create meaningful and lasting change.
My role is to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can explore challenges, build on your strengths, and develop practical strategies to enhance your wellbeing.
I draw from a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, tailoring treatment to your unique needs and circumstances. These include:
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Attachment-Informed EMDR (AI-EMDR)
• Relational Integrative EMDR (RI-EMDR)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Informed Therapy
• Somatically-Informed Approaches
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions
• Positive Psychology
• Strengths-Based Approaches
My approach is integrative, trauma-informed and collaborative. I recognise that every person's story is unique, and I work alongside my clients to support healing, growth, resilience and a greater sense of wellbeing and fulfilment.
