Felicity Linke

Psychologist
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) and Masters of Psychology (Clinical)

Pronouns: She/her

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

I believe…

That trust, connection and growth thrive within a felt sense of psychological safety.

I believe…

That compassion is a value that can anchor us and be an active force to help us remain present, engaged, and open-minded as we move through the challenges of being human.

I believe…

That pets make some of the best non-judgemental therapists. They are experts at listening deeply, and giving compassion, unconditional love, support, healing, unwavering devotion, and acceptance.

I believe…

That change is a lifelong journey that starts with one small, courageous step.

Get to know me

My secret talent:
My secret talent is my compassion for others (people and the lifeforms with which we share this planet), which I have endeavoured to nurture and develop since childhood.

What’s it like to be in a room with me?
I’m mindful that taking that first courageous step to engage in therapy can feel daunting and a bit scary. I attempt to honour this courage by creating a compassionate, psychologically safe and non-judgemental space for my clients to make sense of their experiences, and to find a way forward that feels authentic and is guided by their chosen values. It is important to me to work collaboratively with clients, acknowledging that they are the experts in their own lives. It is also important to me to maintain a curious and open stance that assists my clients to discover, learn and grow as unique individuals, while drawing on their inherent strengths and resilience. My clients have described me as compassionate, kind, warm, and validating of their life experiences and journeys.

What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
Living my values, which include savouring my daily morning coffee, spending time with family (including my chocolate Labrador!) and friends, swimming, eating good food, listening to my favourite music, watching movies on the big screen, and of course, sleeping! Also, living my value of compassion – to myself, to others, and to the myriad of lifeforms with which we share this tiny blue planet.

My life motto:
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from [their] point of view… until you climb into [their] skin and walk around in it.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.

My background and experience

I am a registered psychologist with 21 years’ clinical experience. Over this time, I have worked across public mental health and in private practice. Currently, I am focused solely on working with clients in private practice. I have had a keen interest in parental mental health throughout my work as a psychologist. I have a particular passion for working with parents in the perinatal period, and with adults who have experienced childhood relational trauma. I have a well-developed understanding of attachment theory, and I am a trained Circle of Security parent educator.

I utilise an integrative approach to therapy, offering evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness and trauma-informed approaches. My approach is individualised, collaborative, non-judgemental, and tailored to my clients’ presentations and therapeutic goals. My aim is to empower clients to identify and draw on their strengths to foster a deeper connection with themselves to enable them to become the best version of themselves.

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I can help you with:

  • Pre and postnatal mental health
  • Stillbirth
  • Pregnancy decision-making
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Fertility issues
  • Managing birthing expectations
  • Traumatic birth
  • Childhood trauma
  • Relational trauma
  • Parenting issues
  • Supporting individuals to navigate the impacts of co-parenting (including post-separation/divorce)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mindfulness
  • ADHD
  • Complex trauma
  • Stress and burnout
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Perfectionism
  • Social anxiety
  • Acute stress disorder
  • Emotion regulation
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Panic attacks
  • Self-development
  • Women’s health issues
  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress
  • Support for abusive relationships
  • Sexual assault and sexual abuse
  • Men’s mental health
  • Distress intolerance
  • Impulse control
  • Grief and loss
  • Self-esteem, confidence and self-acceptance
  • Adjustment to stressful life changes
  • Dissociation
  • Emotional difficulties
  • Bipolar
  • Sleep problems
  • Anger management
  • Communication skills
  • Chronic illness and pain
  • Supporting individuals to navigate the impacts of family conflict, and parent-child relationship difficulties
  • Wellbeing and self-care
  • Assertiveness
  • Life changes and transitions

My therapeutic approaches

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

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Compassion Focussed Therapy
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Written Exposure Therapy
  • Strengths-based approaches
  • Trauma-informed approaches
  • Attachment Theory principles
  • Developmental Theories
  • Family Systems Theory
  • Psychodynamic principles
  • Circle of Security Parenting Model