Sarah Goulding
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Supervisor
Bachelor of Social Work, MAASW (Acc. Mental Health) and Graduate Diploma of Family Therapy
Pronouns: She/her
Three beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:
I believe…
In the lived experience and the value it brings to therapy. The challenges we see in others are inherently the challenges we face ourselves, sharing these experiences creates strong connections.
I believe…
In honouring the diversity of human experience and culture. I strive to be sensitive and compassionate to the cultural background and beliefs of my clients.
I believe…
In helping clients to develop their own skills, so that they can feel a sense of autonomy and self-worth.
Get to know me
My secret talent:
I read music before I could read words.
What’s it like to be in a room with me?
I approach each individual and their experience as unique, with an open mind, suspending any judgment. I am a gentle therapist, that strives to create a safe environment and treat each person with unconditional positive regard. I actively listen and seek to collaborate on a shared understanding of client experiences to achieve best treatment outcomes. I am empathic and attuned to the emotions of clients, allowing me to sit alongside them and support them as they get to know themselves better.
What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
I am very passionate about my own self-care and mental health. I routinely use guided hypnotherapy, meditation and sleep stories to relax. I have been practicing martial arts for 20 years. Through this practice I have learnt patience and humility.
My life motto:
Walking a path together of authentic and compassionate connection leads to healing and growth.
My background and experience
I have been practising as a social worker for 23 years. At Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology my role is as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and supervisor. I also have a background in family therapy, domestic violence aged care and student supervision and have worked in private, community and public settings across all age groups. I have a particular passion for helping clients with eating disorders. I am proficient in multiple therapy modalities working across a broad range of diagnoses and psychosocial issues.
I love mental health advocacy and have been involved in community development projects with the ABC, Torch Productions and I have written subject matter articles for mainstream media publications. I am currently studying a Masters in Mental Health. I love learning from other disciplines and collaborating in teams.
I can help you with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personality disorders
- Stress and burnout
- Relationship difficulties
- Generalised anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Health anxiety
- Self-development
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Childhood trauma
- Support for abusive relationships
- Sexual assault
- Eating disorders
- Bulimia
- Anorexia
- Binge eating disorder
- Body image and appearance related concerns
- Distress intolerance
- Impulse control
- Pre- and post-natal mental health
- Grief and loss
- Low self-esteem
- Adjustments to stressful life changes
- Dissociation
- Drug and alcohol issues
- Emotional difficulties
- Bipolar
- Sleep problems
- Anger management
- Communication skills
- Psychosis
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Carer support
- Family issues
- Parenting issues
- Internet and game addiction
- Wellbeing and self-care
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Adjusting to a new country and culture
- People from immigrant, asylum seeking and refugee backgrounds
- Job or study dissatisfaction
- School based issues
My therapeutic approaches
Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Client Centred Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Strengths based approaches
- Psychodynamic approaches
- Compassion-based approaches
- Narrative exposure therapy
- Trauma-informed practice