Hi there!

I am Lara Steel.

I am a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a Doctoral Candidate, and I hold a Masters Degree in Psychology.

With 20 years of experience in both private and community settings, I understand that there is no such thing as a human who doesn’t need support sometimes. My role is not to dictate your life choices, but to help you navigate them. I believe you are the expert on your own experience, thoughts, and feelings. My goal is to offer you a safe space, a listening ear, and access to the scientific research to help you get where you want to be.

My Approach

I view therapy as a collaboration where you run the show. We move at your pace, aiming to understand the root of your current struggles and logically structuring a path forward. I focus on helping you understand your internal and external world in the context of relevant scientific research, so you can build a personal "toolkit" of coping strategies, ensuring you feel equipped to weather life's storms and remain in control of your own emotional landscape.

My therapeutic framework is grounded in evidence-based models, which I tailor to your unique needs:

Schema Therapy: To help us understand the blueprints and patterns you have built of yourself and the world.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): To explore your internal self-talk, interpretations, and how they influence your actions.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT): To focus on practical skills for self-soothing and distress tolerance when trying new strategies.

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET): A highly structured and evidence based treatment for PTSD that helps reduce the distress associated with past events.

Background & Qualifications

I bring a diverse perspective to my practice, holding qualifications not only in Psychology, Counselling and Forensic Sexology, but also Organisational Psychology and Business Administration. I've also studied Fine Art, European Studies, Creative Writing, Jazz Performance, Law, Yolngu and French Translation. So this breadth of experience allows me to connect with clients from many different walks of life.

Registration: AHPRA Registered Psychologist

Education: Doctoral Candidate, Masters of Applied Psychology, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Memberships: Australian Association of Psychologists inc (MAAPi)