Kate Matarese
Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Pronouns: She/her
Three beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:
I believe…
That feeling heard and understood is the foundation for creating change.
I believe…
That developing and practicing acceptance can free us from suffering and help us live a full, rich and meaningful life.
I believe…
In the mind-body connection – this means that our thoughts, feelings and beliefs can affect our physical functioning, and what we do with our physical body can impact on our mental state.
Get to know me
My secret talent:
Holiday planning! You will always find me plotting an itinerary or dreaming of my next destination. My friends also tell me that I am a great listener.
What’s it like to be in a room with me?
I am a warm, compassionate and down-to-earth clinician. I strive to help my clients feel comfortable, accepted and understood as this creates a foundation for a positive and powerful therapeutic experience. I also love to have a laugh with my clients because therapy can be serious without always being heavy.
What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
For my own mental health, I know that balance is important. This means time for exercise, relaxation, family, friends, good food and fun!
My life motto:
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
My background and experience
I have been a registered psychologist since 2008, and since this time I have worked In a variety of settings Including private practice, the public and private hospital sector, schools, and community health. I completed my Master of Clinical Psychology in 2018 where I developed a keen interest in health psychology and psycho-oncology.
I believe in the importance of a collaborative therapeutic relationship, and aim to empower clients to make changes so that they can live full and meaningful life. I value a reflective practice and enjoy engaging in supervision and professional development to improve and refine my therapeutic skills.
I can help you with:
- ADHD
- Adjustment to stressful life changes
- Anxiety
- Bipolar
- Body image and appearance related concerns
- Carer support
- Chronic pain / illness
- Communication skills
- Depression
- Distress intolerance
- Emotional difficulties
- Family issues
- Generalised anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Health anxiety
- Impulse control
- Job or study dissatisfaction
- Living with cancer
- Men’s mental health
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Panic attacks
- Perfectionism
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Pre and post natal health
- Relationship difficulties
- Self-development
- Self-esteem
- Sleep problems
- Social anxiety
- Stress and burnout
- Terminal illness and end of life issues
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Wellbeing and self-care
- Women’s health issues
Want to know more about how Kate can help? Read her blog on living with cancer here.
My therapeutic approaches
Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Compassion-based approaches
- Exposure therapy
- Mindfulness
- Motivational Interviewing
- Positive Psychology principles
- Psychodynamic principles
- Schema Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Strengths-based approaches
- Trauma informed practice
