Alicia

Alicia Merlino

Psychologist

“I support adolescents and adults to make sense of their experiences and understand how past patterns and relationships can continue to influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in the present. I believe meaningful and lasting change develops through building insight, emotional awareness, self-compassion, and supported practice of new ways of responding. I aim to provide a warm, respectful, and non-judgmental space where you can safely explore difficult emotions, life experiences, and relational patterns at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I place strong value on developing a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship, recognising that change often occurs when people feel understood and supported. I work from a strengths-based perspective, helping clients recognise and build on their existing capacities, values, and coping strategies.”

About Me

I’m a registered psychologist who works with adolescents and adults, offering a calm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space to explore whatever has brought you to therapy. I understand that starting therapy, or opening up about certain experiences, can feel anxiety-provoking and can take time. I work at a pace that feels right for you, with a strong emphasis on safety, trust, and the therapeutic relationship. There is no pressure to talk about anything before you feel ready, and I won’t push you into a particular approach or outcome. My work is informed by an attachment-focused and trauma-aware perspective. I value getting to know each person as a whole, including their strengths, values, and the ways they’ve learned to cope. While therapy often involves exploring challenges, I also aim to help you reconnect with what you do well and develop a more compassionate understanding of yourself.

Approach

My approach to therapy is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to each individual. I help clients identify patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships that may be contributing to ongoing difficulties. I draw on evidence-based approaches including Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and strengths-based frameworks to support both insight and the development of practical skills. I place strong emphasis on psychoeducation, helping clients understand how stress, trauma, and emotions affect the brain and nervous system, and why particular strategies can be helpful. Therapy is paced to suit each person, with attention to small but meaningful shifts such as increased self-compassion, improved boundaries, or greater confidence in prioritising personal needs.
Contact Alicia

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Basic Information

Services

I work with adolescents and adults experiencing a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties. This includes anxiety and chronic stress, depression and low mood, trauma including childhood and developmental trauma, self-harm and suicidal ideation, grief and loss, relationship and attachment difficulties, family and family-of-origin issues, identity and self-esteem concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, life transitions, and work or study-related stress.

Services Offered:

  • •
    ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

    A form of therapy that teaches acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings while guiding action aligned with personal values.

    Learn more about ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
  • •
    CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • •
    Schema Therapy

    A therapy that identifies deep, long-standing emotional patterns (schemas) formed in childhood and works to change the ones that cause recurring problems.

    Learn more about Schema Therapy
  • •
    Child Protection

    Services focused on safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, or harm, including assessment, intervention, and family support.

  • •
    Coaching

    A goal-oriented practice focused on identifying objectives, overcoming obstacles, and taking action, centred on the present and future rather than past difficulties.

  • •
    Consultation

    An initial meeting with a therapist to discuss concerns, ask questions, and determine whether they are the right fit.

  • •
    Counselling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counselling
  • •
    Corporate Workshops

    Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.

  • •
    Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy

Works With:

  • •Adolescents
  • •Adults
  • •Individuals
  • •Organisations
  • •Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • •
    Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • •
    Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • •
    Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • •
    Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem
  • •
    Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • •
    Suicidal Thoughts

    Thoughts about ending one's own life, ranging from passive wishes to active plans. This is a sign of severe emotional distress that requires professional support.

    Learn more about Suicidal Thoughts
  • •
    Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • •
    Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout
  • •
    Family Issues

    Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.

  • •
    Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement

Professional Title:

  • •
    Psychologist

    A professional trained to assess and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological methods.

Qualifications

Master of Forensic Mental Health

Griffith University

Year: 2020

Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

NSW Institute of Psychiatry

Year: 2015

Registrations

Psychology Board of Australia (via AHPRA)

Psychologist (Psych)

Registration: PSY0001049535

Verify License

Memberships

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Associate Member

Service Area

Birchtree Centre

In-person & Online

Sydney, New South Wales 2037

Australia