Rachel Purchase  

Psychologist (Clinical Psychology Registrar)
Master of Psychology (Clinical), Grad Dip Psych, Post Grad Dip Psych.



Works with clients aged 12 years and over

I have a strong interest in supporting women, girls, gender-diverse, trans women and non-binary people to foster a positive self-image through self-compassion and self-awareness. My work centres on recognising and processing trauma, as well treating depression, anxiety, body-image dissatisfaction, grief, and relationship difficulties. I also work with women through the perinatal and postnatal period.

In addition to therapeutic work, I conduct clinical assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and seek to facilitate empowered and affirming relationships with neurodiversity.

My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and strengths-focused. My practice is also informed by examining the interplay between social forces and individual psychology, having observed that women and girls often develop negative ideas about themselves that have their origin in harmful cultural practices, such as the imposition of gender norms.

I aim to cultivate a safe environment where unhelpful feelings and patterns of behaviour can be explored and understood. And, when working with girls, I seek to foster a relationship with parents and include them in understanding and implementing the strategies being introduced to support their daughters’ wellbeing.

The therapeutic modalities I use are Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy. I also conduct cognitive and academic assessments that can be used in the development of individual learning plans for primary, secondary, and tertiary, educational settings, and/or to develop strategies to implement in the workplace.

Areas of focus

• Perinatal and post-natal anxiety
• Perinatal and post-natal depression
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, including in response to:
• Coercive control,
• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Bullying
• Loss
• Body image dissatisfaction
• Relationship difficulties – intimate partner and family-based
• Grief
• Neurodevelopmental assessments
• Cognitive assessments
• Educational assessments
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• School refusal