Sharon Stern Clinical Psychologist
Sharon Stern Clinical Psychologist
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths."
Elizabeth Kubler Ross
A Bit About Therapy
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In this busy world, we can find ourselves repeating patterns, or behaving in ways that are ultimately unhelpful. Coming to therapy provides an opportunity to take a closer look at our lives and relationships with the assistance of someone who has a fresh perspective.
There are three things that make therapy effective; one is your willingness and readiness to be active in the process, second is the therapy itself and the third and most important is the goodness of fit with your therapist.
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It is essential that you feel safe, trusting and supported in therapy.
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Sharon can help with a variety of concerns, including but not limited to: anxiety, adjusting to life changes, grief and loss, depression, dating and relationship issues, trauma (both developmental/ attachment trauma and trauma occurring in adulthood), addiction, eating disorders, and personality disorders. By working with a psychologist, individuals can gain insight into their thoughts, behaviors, learn coping skills, and develop strategies to improve their overall well-being.
If you are struggling with any of these issues, seeking the help of a psychologist may be a beneficial step towards healing and growth.
About Sharon
Integrative, Warm, Evidence Based
Sharon Stern is a clinical psychologist who has helped people make important and lasting changes in their lives for nearly 25 years. She has general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia with endorsement in the area of Clinical Psychology. She is also an AHPRA endorsed clinical supervisor, an accredited EMDR Practitioner and a full member of the EMDR Association of Australia. Sharon began her career working with people with developmental disabilities and their families, and has also worked in community health as a child, youth and family counsellor. She began working in private practice after having children of her own. For four years Sharon was the senior clinical psychologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Eating Disorders Day Program. She observed that underlying most people's eating disorder symptoms were traumatic experiences, and she became interested in helping people to overcome them. Sharon began working in the area of complex trauma, and assists people experiencing all sorts of issues. Sharon is passionate about finding ways to understand and connect with each person she meets in private practice. Rather than making the person fit the therapy, Sharon tailors an approach using techniques from a variety of evidence based approaches. Therapy is a collaboration;
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Sharon brings expertise, skills and knowledge from various areas of psychology, you bring expertise about yourself.
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In this way, we create change together
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Harvey is a hypoallergenic, low shedding, friendly and calm dog who sometimes accompanies me to work. He is lovely and often adds something special to our sessions, but not everyone likes dogs! Please do let me know if you'd rather he didn't attend.
A Way to Understand and Change Your Unique Life Story
Evidence Based Therapy
Sharon will spend the first session or two getting to know you, and consulting with you to determine which evidence based therapy techniques are likely to be most useful. This is your opportunity also to ask questions and clarify the kind of treatment approach you would like. Modalities Sharon uses include:
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Somatic Experiencing
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
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EMDR
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Schema Therapy
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
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Relational Psychotherapy
Therapy may be a long or short term process. Everyone's pathway is unique, and we work together to decide the best way forward.
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Sharon also works in partnership with the Evolution Medicine Enhanced Therapy (MET) Team at the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney. If you are interested in discussing the suitability of MET for you, please get in touch.
A Whole Person Approach
EMDR and Trauma Support
Trauma is a broad term, encompassing both the things that did not happen but should have (traumas of omission) as well as things that happened that shouldn't have (traumas of commission). Experiences such as these can feel like 'death by a thousand cuts', or like a major disruption that immediately changes the course of one's life. Working together to navigate life where trauma has affected its course is likely to take time. It will unfold at a unique pace and is a collaborative project between client and therapist. EMDR is one of many tools that Sharon uses. It has the most evidence for effectiveness of all of the trauma therapies, and is recommended as a first line treatment by the World Health Organisation.
Professional Wisdom and Support
Supervision
Sharon is an AHPRA endorsed supervisor. She has nearly 25 years experience working across different clinical populations.
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Sharon believes in the importance of a safe and supportive supervisory relationship. She brings humanity and authenticity to her supervisory work. Her therapeutic modalities are creative and integrative, drawing from EMDR, Internal Family Systems, the Theory of Structural Dissociation, Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic Theory and Somatic Experiencing as well as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Please do reach out if you are interested in individual or group supervision.
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Sharon also runs the "Good Enough Therapist" series of consultation groups and workshops alongside her colleague Tracy Burrell. This is a creative space for therapists to reflect and learn together about the joys and challenges of psychotherapy.
What do I need to do before the session
It's important to see your GP before your first session. Some psychological difficulties have a medical component, and your GP should check for any concerns. Your GP can give you a Mental Health Care Plan, which means you can get a medicare rebate of $141.85 for your first ten sessions.
What is the cost of sessions?
Sharon's session fee is $245, and the session generally lasts for 50-60 minutes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you will receive a Medicare rebate of $141.85.
What if I need to cancel?
Sharon has a 48 hour cancelation policy (two working days). If you need to cancel or reschedule your session, please let her know with as much notice as possible. Late cancelation incurs full fee payment.