About Me
My Professional Journey
I am Aine Ni Mhealoid, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and founder of Sage Psychological Therapy. I have over 10 years of experience, specialising in providing Psychological Therapy.
My accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Work, recognises my advanced skills and experience, in providing Evidence Based Psychological Strategies to those who experience mental health challenges.
Like psychologist and other mental health practitioners, I am able to provide therapy sessions that are covered under the Medicare Rebate System, using a Mental Health Treatment Plan & referral from the GP.
My Own Journey
I completed a Master of Social Work in 2012 & since then I have specialised in the field of Mental Health and Psychological therapies. I have worked in a number of Government, Specialised Mental Health Services and well as Non-Government-Organisation’s.
Throughout the last 10 years of my therapeutic practice, I have had the privilege to work with a wide range of clients who were able to share with me their narratives, difficulties, and stories of surviving adversities.
In the earlier years of my career, I worked with some of the most marginalised people in our society, including men and women who were incarcerated, street level sex workers, as well as homeless youth and asylum seekers.
Later when I moved to Australia in 2014, I worked with young people who were experiencing their first episode of psychosis as well as others who had stories of complex and traumatic life experiences.
Working with clients, who were exposed to a world of emotional deprivation and isolation, required me to delve deep into conversation with them about self-compassion, self-worth, the depths of trauma and how this relates to their Resilience to Survive in the face of adversity.
This work has given me a profound understanding of areas such as attachment; human relationships; the importance of emotionally safe connections to feel well.
- I hold the practice of Mind-Body connection at the forefront of my therapy.
- I work with people to create or strengthen their healthy emotional boundaries.
- I help people to tap into their innate strength and resilience.
- I foster peoples’ ability to recognise their own emotional needs and their right to feel safe in expressing them to others.
Learn more about my Therapeutic Philosophy
My work with Trauma and Traumatic experiences, over the last 10 years has given me an insight into how wonderfully powerful the mind is in helping to protect us from emotional pain and suffering. Sometimes this emotional protection is so powerful it leads us to disconnect from our bodies and our surroundings.
When we live in the complete isolation of our inner thoughts, we become so confused and afraid without an anchor.
My therapeutic intention over the course of my career has been to support clients and their families, in the understanding that when we struggle, we are having normal reactions to really difficult and challenging life experiences.
I work therapeutically to challenge peoples negative internalised beliefs, often fuelled by shame and guilt, as I hear them recount feelings of being “broken”, “unworthy” “unloved”
I do this by showing them profound compassion which in turn helps to foster their own self-compassion. This paves a way to reconnecting with themselves and their surrounding environments.
I believe that we are all completely perfect beings…
BECAUSE of our unique and beautiful imperfections
Coming from a Social Work lens, I do not see suffering of the mind, body and spirit operating within a vacuum. I see a person as part of an intricate constellation, encompassing their families of origin and linage, as well as their friend’s, peers and partners coming together, along their lifes’ journey.
My wealth of experience has been supported by amazing Mentors and Teachers along the way , who have told me that I am a Reflective, Compassionate, Dynamic, Kind and Gentle as a therapist
I am deeply committed to my work, as I integrate the Mantra of ‘what happened for you” into my practice….in a harsh world filled with Mantras of “Whats wrong with you”
On a personal level I have a deep and profound love for music, art and nature. This comes from growing up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the West of Ireland. These elements I draw from, bring me back to my roots and help me get perspective in life.
I love to connect deeply with my own emotions using these mediums and they inspire me to continue my work of emotional exploration with others.
I engage in regular practice of Yoga, Breathwork and Mindfulness Meditation which also works to keep me grounded in a very busy modern world.
I like to proactively work on my mind-body connection to ensure that I am able to be open, honest and authentic when holding space for others in therapy.