Dr Emer Mc Dermott

Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Geography), Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, Masters in Psychological Research and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology

Pronouns: She/her

melbourne psychologist

Three beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:

I believe…

Small steps towards goals lead to change.

I believe…

It costs nothing to be kind.

I believe…

Connection is the key to happiness.

Get to know me

My secret talent:
The ability to sleep anywhere anytime.

What’s it like to be in a room with me?
Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from different backgrounds in various countries and settings (schools, private clinics, hospitals and community mental health settings) and I believe our community, upbringing, and relationships (past and present) shape how we see ourselves and how we navigate through life. I enjoy working with others and developing genuine relationships grounded in trust, openness, and curiosity. I strive to see the world through my client’s lens and understand their unique family, cultural, and life experiences. My clients have described my therapeutic approach as open, non-judgemental and encouraging, which has allowed my client’s to be vulnerable and created a safe space to work together on their journey.

What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
I try my best to prioritise well-being and balance in life, which includes pilates, walking, swimming, spending time with friends and family (which includes early morning walks for phone calls home to Ireland), listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and spending time hiking and at the beach.

My life motto:
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

My background and experience

I have worked for over 15years within a number of public and private health services across Australia, Ireland and the UK. I provide a psychological service to a broad range of clients presenting with a range of mental health, behavioural and emotional difficulties and have experience in providing psychological assessment, formulation and intervention with children/adolescents, adults, older adults and those living with a disability.

I use an integrative approach with my clients; providing evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion focused therapy, EMDR, schema therapy, although other approaches such as integrating dialectical behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy and mindfulness approaches are incorporated depending on the client’s needs.

I am also a board approved supervisor and a LGBTQIA+ aware and affirmative clinician.

melbourne psychologists

I can help you with:

  • Acute stress disorder
  • Addiction
  • Adjusting to a new country and culture
  • Anger management
  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Bipolar
  • Body image issues
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Burnout
  • Carer support
  • Childhood trauma
  • Chronic illness and pain
  • Communication and assertiveness
  • Complex trauma
  • Depression
  • Drug and alcohol issues
  • Excessive sexual desire
  • Emotional difficulties
  • Fertility
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Grief and loss
  • Health anxiety
  • Internet and game addiction
  • Life changes and transitions
  • Living with cancer
  • Low self-esteem
  • Medically unexplained/ psychosomatic illness
  • Obsessions and compulsions
  • Panic attacks
  • Parenting
  • People from immigrant, asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds
  • Perfectionism
  • Personal growth
  • Phobias and fears
  • Pornography problems/ addictions
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Pre and postnatal mental health
  • Problematic sexual interests
  • Problematic sexual behaviours
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Sexuality
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Sleep problems
  • Social anxiety/ social phobia
  • Stress
  • Study, work or career related issues
  • Terminal illness and end of life issues
  • Vicarious trauma
  • Wellbeing

My therapeutic approaches

Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Attachment Theory
  • Behaviour Therapy
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Compassion based approaches
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy principles
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Schema Therapy
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Strengths based approaches
  • Systemic Therapy
  • Trauma informed approaches