Dr Adriana Thomas

I am a registered clinical psychologist in Australia helping individuals to understand life’s challenges whilst working towards positive changes and a meaningful existence. I completed the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland and worked in a range of settings. 

Prior to private practice, I worked in Women’s health and with a Māori Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in community mental health. I am registered with The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in the clinical scope of practice.

I have experience working with a wide range of people and difficulties. Some of these difficulties include anxiety, sadness, grief, anger and low self-esteem. I also have experience working with trauma, relationship challenges, family concerns and child and adolescent mental health.

I am trained in a range of therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) , Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and most recently, Internal Family Systems (IFS). I also draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family Systems/Narrative therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).  In my clinical work, I help people gain insight into challenges they face, patterns that occur and strengths they have to improve their wellbeing. Difficulties are identified through research in the areas of evidence based therapies, attachment and trauma considering cultural, spiritual and contextual factors. I provide assessment and therapy to people who have experienced childhood trauma, complex PTSD and sexual violence. I have also completed 20 hours of training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Trauma Centre Yoga Programme. Please see the therapy page for more details about approaches. 

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Before private practice I also worked in community mental health with children, adolescents and adults.  I have also previously worked as a teacher and speak fluent Portuguese, Spanish and French and have worked and lived in different countries. I speak English in therapy appointments as this is my native language. My research and clinical interests are also in migration and cross-cultural therapy and I have lived in various places myself.