Mathew Aquilina (he/him)

Registered Psychologist

PSY0001686217

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I am a registered psychologist and board-approved clinical supervisor. A decade of experience in the psychology field has seen me undertake a variety of work including: child and adolescent therapy; parenting support; group facilitation; university student counselling; adult therapy; clinical supervision; and service management. I am currently undertaking Higher Degree Research through University of Wollongong evaluating the effect of relational antenatal preparation on couples' transition to parenthood.

 

I value a personable and attuned approach to therapy, with a conversational and collaborative feel to how I work. Therapy is both empowering and vulnerable and I try to honour this by holding a safe and respectful space of reflection and growth. I see it as a privilege to walk alongside people in their journey. 

 

I practice from an attachment-based and relational framework and am trained in a number of evidence-based therapies and programs, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Schema Therapy; EMDR; the Circle of Security protocol; and the 'Becoming Us' Perinatal Mental Health Facilitator training.

 

I see therapy clients 16 and older for a range of presentations and welcome the opportunity to hear your story. I have experience in supporting people with anxiety; depression; adjustment to difficult life events; work-related stress; difficulties in partner or family relationships; the impacts of early trauma; challenges in parenting; and finding valued direction in life.

 

I have a particular interest and experience in the following areas:
 

Men's mental health, including:

• Anxiety, depression and stress;

• Relationship challenges;

• Communication and assertiveness skills;

• Work- and study-related stress;

• Erectile dysfunction and other challenges relating to sex and intimacy;

• Anger management and emotional expression;

• Trauma;

• Supporting boys and young men (16+) exploring life transitions (study, career, and relationships).

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Perinatal mental health, with a particular focus on support of fathers:

• Supporting and preparing for the transition to parenthood (antenatal support);

• Navigating relationship challenges after becoming parents;

• Post-natal depression and anxiety;

• Perinatal loss;

• Birth trauma;

• Early parenting and associated stresses.

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Parent support:

• Parent-child attunement as informed by attachment-based interventions;

• Parent coaching and therapy relating to parenting challenges, including understanding and responding to childhood behaviours.

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Clinical supervision:

• Primary and secondary supervision of provisional psychologists completing internship pathways;

• Supervision of psychologists, or other mental health professionals (e.g., Counsellors, Social Workers);

• Availability for group supervision or training on request.

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And:

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• Therapy for distress relating to onset of Tinnitus, with training in CBT / ACT and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy approaches.

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Mathew is available for appointments on Mondays.

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