About

My path to becoming a therapist wasn’t a straight line—it started with a deep curiosity about human behaviour and a desire to understand myself better. Early on, I found myself drawn to exploring the complexities of how people think, feel, and act. It was a personal journey of self-discovery that eventually grew into a calling to help others navigate their own challenges.

As I began working with young people, something shifted. I realized just how much passion I had for supporting them through the ups and downs of life. I felt a strong connection to the unique struggles young people face, and I knew I could offer a safe, empathetic space for them to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It became clear to me that this was where I was meant to be—helping young people and their families find clarity, understanding, and growth. I now also get the immense pleasure of not only working with my clients but also being a director and assisting other therapists in their journey.

In my practice, I take a client-centred approach, meaning that you, the client, are always at the heart of the work we do together. I believe that everyone has the answers within themselves, and my role is to help you uncover them. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, one where we work together to build the skills and insights that will help you move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

Along the way, I draw from a variety of therapeutic tools to guide this process. I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to explore how our thoughts shape our emotions and actions, Schema Therapy to understand how past experiences influence our coping strategies, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to offer practical skills for managing emotions and creating positive change. These approaches, combined with a strong, trusting relationship, help create a foundation where real transformation can take place.

I specialise in working with children, youth, and young people who are facing a range of challenges. My focus includes concerns around food, weight, and body image, as well as diagnosed eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), and binge eating disorder. I also work with individuals who have experienced trauma, complex PTSD, and anxiety disorders, including phobias. These are areas that are close to my heart, and I understand the courage it takes to seek support in navigating them.

As for my qualifications, I hold a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences from Swinburne University of Technology and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. I am also currently completing a Masters of Counselling, specialising in research, which allows me to stay at the forefront of emerging practices and better support my clients.

Every person’s story is unique, and I am here to walk alongside you in yours. Whether you're a young person navigating life’s challenges or a family seeking guidance, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Hi, I’m Sashelle, a passionate and dedicated Registered Psychologist who works with adolescents, young adults, and adults. I’m driven by a deep belief in the power of meaningful therapeutic connection and the importance of supporting individuals in understanding and embracing their unique experiences.

My journey into psychology was fuelled by a curiosity about the human mind and a strong desire to help people navigate life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working across private practice, the NDIS, and non-profit organisations, which has enriched my understanding of diverse mental health needs and helped me support clients in a way that’s both personalised and effective.

✦ My Specialty

I have a strong interest and specialised experience in supporting a wide range of mental health presentations, which include but are not limited to:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Stress and burnout
• Phobias
• Neurodivergent individuals through a Neuro-affirming lens
• Life transitions and adjustment issues
• School, university, and career support
• Clarifying identity and values
• Building resilience, self-compassion, and self-esteem

✦ Therapeutic Approach

I take a client-centred, strength-based, and neuro-affirming approach to therapy. I believe that each individual brings their own wisdom and insight to the table, and therapy should be a collaborative space that celebrates and supports that.

I draw on a range of evidence-based interventions, tailoring each session to your goals and preferences. My work is grounded in:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

✦ Credentials & Professional Memberships

Registered Psychologist

Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych)

Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science (GradDipPsychSci)

✦ Let’s Connect

If you’d like to learn more about my work or get in touch, feel free to visit my LinkedIn profile.

( Sashelle Aitken - Mental Health Clinician - Stride Mental Health | LinkedIn)

Hi, I’m Jessica – a somatic psychotherapist based in Brisbane, Australia. I'm an American expat, born and raised in New York City, bringing a grounded and heartfelt presence to the work I do and drawing from a rich tapestry of life experience and professional training. My therapeutic style is direct and earnest, yet warm and attuned. I view therapy as a collaborative, creative process—one that invites your full self into the room and makes space for growth, healing, and integration.

I was drawn to this work because I am enthralled by the transformative power of human connection. I’ve always been curious about how people work—emotionally, relationally, physically—and fascinated by the deep intelligence of the body. Becoming a therapist felt like a natural home for my creativity, intuition, and investigative mind. I love this work because it allows me to engage meaningfully with others and support them to become more authentic and resilient versions of themselves.

I specialise in working somatically with adults and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, disordered eating, body image issues, relationship concerns, codependency, boundaries, grief, and nervous system dysregulation. I work with people across many life stages and identities and have a strong commitment to social justice and inclusivity. I believe it’s important to cultivate a safe space for people with various marginalised identities by being aware of how social placement and proximity to privilege may impact your wellbeing, whether or not these experiences are the focus of our therapy. Together in our sessions, we will build safety and ease so that a felt sense of security can emerge and allow for your presence and integration.

My approach is integrative and rooted in somatic, psychodynamic, and relational frameworks. I believe that healing doesn’t just happen in our minds—it happens through our bodies and within safe, supportive relationships. Our bodies have an innate capacity for healing and tend to move toward this when given the right conditions to do so. At times, though, that process can be disrupted—often by the adaptive coping strategies we develop to protect ourselves from pain. Therapy can offer a supportive space to uncover and gently release those barriers, allowing your whole self to reconnect with its natural state of equilibrium. I draw from a range of therapeutic frameworks including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Hakomi, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and trauma-informed models, as well as creative modalities like drama therapy, somatic experiencing, and play therapy. I often weave in body-based practices, nervous system regulation techniques, and experiential interventions to support deeper emotional awareness and change.

I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Purchase College, with minor studies in Philosophy and Visual Art. I’m a registered Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), registration number 28764. I regularly participate in ongoing professional development, supervision, and training to ensure my work remains ethical, grounded, and alive.In addition to therapy, I’m an artist, nature-lover, and lifelong learner. I love making music, cooking creatively, and spending time with my little orange cat. These personal joys keep me connected to what’s most meaningful, and they often inform the values I bring into the therapy space.