Senior Psychologist
Available at Penrith, Ryde, Katoomba, Online
Taleisha is a nurturing and compassionate Senior Psychologist with over five years of experience in the disability and mental health sector. At OPH, Taleisha is balancing leadership and clinical work as this is what fills her cup. She plays a pivotal role in establishing the psychology department at OPH and remains committed to shaping a service that upholds sustainable practice, while ensuring client care is thoughtful, person-centred, and responsive to each individual’s unique needs and goals.
Taleisha has worked alongside individuals with diverse cognitive, emotional, sensory, and behavioural profiles in both community and clinical settings. She supports people living with anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioural challenges, complex trauma, neurodivergence, attachment difficulties, communication differences, and other challenges that may affect daily functioning, safety, and well-being.
She acknowledges that individuals may experience and process the world differently, and strives to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your story in a way that feels empowering and affirming. Moving at your own pace, she will guide you to process your experiences, understand patterns that have supported you in the past, and develop new ways of being that feel more aligned with your authentic self.
Taleisha draws from a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities and theories, for instance Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Attachment Theory, and Somatic Therapies. . Taleisha believes that therapy is never ‘one size fits all.’ Her approach is responsive and adapted to your unique strengths, gently supporting you to challenge unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours while fostering growth, resilience, and self-understanding.
She takes a whole-person approach to her work, thoughtfully considering factors such as hormones, nervous system functioning, gut health, brain diversity, sleep, diet, and exercise. This broader perspective allows her to gain a deeper understanding of ‘you’ as an individual, and provide support (or connecting you in with other services) that is carefully attuned to your needs, extending beyond traditional talk-based approaches.
Taleisha provides comprehensive psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments designed to understand the person as a whole - honouring and embracing unique strengths and differences. When you share your story with her, she listens deeply with curiosity and compassion, strives to understand how you experience and process the world, and provides meaningful, practical strategies tailored to you.
Life Outside the Therapy Room - Meet Taleisha:
Outside of work, I love spending quality time with loved ones, country music (controversial - I know), being in the sunshine, and going on little adventures. I’m often found tending to my garden (still working on that green thumb…), slowly making my way through books (yes, it did take me 10 months to finish my first one, but hey, I finished!), and keeping active - even if it takes me a little while to get into it (apparently exercise is good for you?!)
Qualifications
Qualifications and Clinical Accreditations:
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours), ACU;
- Masters in Brain and Mind Sciences, USYD;
- AHPRA Registered Psychologist;
- Former Behaviour Support Practitioner, supporting individuals with complex mental health and behavioural needs to enhance daily functioning, community participation, and personal safety;
- Currently completing accreditation in Trauma-Informed CBT.
