SIGRID O'CALLAGHAN
Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and Supervisor
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a quest to unravel deeply held beliefs and relational expectations. Firmly embedded in our unconscious mind, many of our assumptions by which we live, are not available to conscious thoughts. At times, early experiences generated painful distortions of who we or others are, thus affecting our sense of emotional well-being. ‘To make the unconscious conscious’ is one of the fundamental principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Another way to express this is to improve our ‘affect tolerance’ which is the capacity to become aware of and embrace our emotional experiences. The more we can tolerate our feelings, particularly our painful feelings, the less we will need to fear or avoid them.
People who suffer from ongoing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relational difficulties, trauma, or eating disorders will benefit from this form of psychotherapy. For the evidence base of psychodynamic psychotherapy please visit the website of the Queensland Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy Association (QPPA) at http://www.qppa.com.au
​
Therapy sessions will gradually make you aware of thoughts and feelings that have affected your emotional experience such as mood and self-esteem. The therapy process will lead to subtle yet profound changes in your emotional awareness and regulation and will improve your capacity to respond to life and interpersonal challenges.
​
​
​
SERVICES I OFFER
Services for Adults, Face-to face and/or telehealth sessions
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: short and long-term psychotherapy for concerns such as anxiety, depression, body image issues, loss and grief, personality vulnerabilities, eating disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem and identity, traumatic experiences
​
Supportive Psychotherapy: for people who require less intense treatment
​
Clinical Supervision: available for therapists in training, clinical psychology registrars and experienced therapists
​
Fees: January 2025
50-minute psychotherapy session: $200-$230
Medicare and private health fun rebates are available for eligible patients.
Supervision fee: to be negotiated
​
Availability
Face-to-face and telehealth Sessions: Mondays to Thursdays
​
​
​
About Sigrid
Throughout the past 30 years, I worked in a variety of roles across private, non-government and tertiary educational settings. These work experiences taught me invaluable lessons about the psychotherapeutic process and helped develop my approach. I completed extensive training in psychodynamic psychotherapy with the Queensland Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association and the Brisbane Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies. I continue learning from the encounter with my patients, supervisors, and colleagues. I am originally from Germany and happy to conduct sessions in German if required.
Qualifications and Affiliations
BA Hons Psych Bonn, Germany: equivalent to MA Clin Psych
MAPS CCLlN: Member of the Australian Psychology Society and its Clinical College
AHPRA PSY 000 140 2295: Registration with the Australian Health Provider Regulation Authority as Clinical Psychologist and Approved Supervisor
QPPA: Member of the Queensland Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association due to the completion of its post-graduate training program, Member of the teaching faculty, https://www.qppa.com.au
BCPS: Brisbane Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, Member of teaching staff, https://www.bcps.asn.au
Brisbane Consortium of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Supervisors, Member of the faculty, https://psychregistrar.com.au
​
​
​
