PSYCHOLOGIST

CHERIE SONNENBURG

Psychologist

Cherie is a registered psychologist with a Master of Clinical Psychology. Her approach is defined by warmth and empathy, with priority given to a comfortable and collaborative therapeutic relationship, within which clients can actively and safely engage in the process of exploration and change.

Cherie’s practice draws from experience working within the private psychiatric hospital system, community organisations, and private practice. She tend towards a holistic and integrative approach, drawing from a range of evidence-based approaches depending on the client’s needs and goals.

The approaches generally draw upon include: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, mentalisation and metacognitive approaches (e.g. MERIT, MBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy including Mindfulness based approaches, and Attachment-based frameworks (e.g. Circle of Security). Cherie’s passion is the practice of Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which seeks to understand how past experiences and relationships influence current patterns of emotional experience and relating, with the goals of fostering healthier and more fulfilling connections with oneself and others.

Cherie’s areas of interest include:

· Complex PTSD and addressing the impacts of past childhood trauma
· Personality Disorders (BPD, NPD, etc)
· Interpersonal difficulties
· Adjustment difficulties
· Parenting issues
· Maternal adjustment and identity struggles
· Perinatal disorders (perinatal/postpartum depression, perinatal/postpartum OCD, etc)
· Mood disorders
· Anxiety disorders

Cherie has conducted research in the area of postnatal depression and co-authored academic publications on the contributing role of societal “good mother” ideals in postnatal depression, the treatment of Bipolar Mood Disorder, and the dynamics of workplace bullying. Cherie holds professional membership with the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi).

Cherie primarily sees adult clients and adolescents over the age of 16, however will consider seeing younger adolescents on a case-by-case basis. Sessions are available face-to-face, via telephone, or online.

To make an appointment:

Phone 07 3876 2100