Welcome to
Resilience Matters Clinical Psychology In Person and Telehealth Services
We consult at rooms in Petersham, Newtown, the Sydney CBD and nationally on-line.
Clinical psychological support for first responders, young people and individuals experiencing body image problems.
We offer Clinical, Health, Counselling, child and adult psychology.
Therapies Offered
Stuart, Phillip and Christos are trained and skilled Psychologists. Therapies can include:
- Supportive Counselling
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF CBT)
- CBT for Insomnia
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Chair-work and other evidence-based therapies
We aim to add in a good dose of humour to our sessions. Clients can expect respect for individuality, evidence based psychological assessment and therapy in a confidential and respectful environment. We support people of all ages and welcome the diversity of humans.
Our Areas of Clinical Focus
First Responders
Psychological support for police, ambulance, fire service personnel, and other emergency service workers, as well as partners and family members who may be affected by the demands of frontline roles.
Therapy may focus on concerns such as exposure to critical incidents, cumulative operational stress, anger, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and adjustment during career transitions.
Young People
Support for adolescents and young adults experiencing emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges.
We provide psychological practical support for issues relating to attention and concentration issues or neurodevelopmental differences that can be associated with features of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism.
Eating and Feeding Concerns
Psychological support for individuals experiencing eating, feeding, or body image difficulties.
Therapy may involve exploring the psychological factors influencing eating behaviours, developing healthier coping strategies, and supporting changes that promote overall wellbeing. Where appropriate, care may occur alongside other health professionals such as GPs and dietitians.
Our Approach
Psychological treatment at Resilience Matters Clinical Psychology is collaborative and individualised. Therapy is guided by evidence-based psychological approaches and tailored to each person’s circumstances, goals, and readiness for change.
The aim is to provide a safe, confidential, and professional space where individuals can explore challenges, develop practical coping strategies, and strengthen psychological resilience over time.
Meet Your Psychologists
Mr Stuart Lokhee
PSY0002355126
Stuart is a skilled and empathetic Clinical Psychologist who brings over 25 years of experience working as a Police Officer, Detective, and a Blue Beret Peacekeeper with the United Nations. As a qualified Paediatric Clinical Psychologist, Stuart also supports young people, particularly with the impact of ADHD and Autism.
Dr Phillip Aouad
PSY0002424084
Dr Phillip Aouad is a psychologist with a focus on eating, feeding, and body image disorders. In addition to his clinical work, Dr Phil is a hospital scientist and serves as an Adjunct Professor in clinical psychology research. His integrative approach combines compassion with research-driven strategies to help clients achieve lasting change.
Mr Christos Tatsis
PSY0002594617
Christos is a Registered Psychologist with a focus on Counselling Psychology. He has a particular interest in identity, emotional regulation, and personal growth. His approach combines evidence-based therapies with a humanistic style, helping clients build insight, resilience, and practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges.
Our Mission: Together, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where clients can explore concerns and work towards resilience, positive mental health, and wellbeing.
Contact Us & Referrals
We consult at rooms in Petersham, Newtown, the Sydney CBD and nationally online.
Get In Touch
Please direct all enquiries to:
admin@rmclinicalpsychology.com
+61 452 472 764
+61 2 7235 8920
Room 1, 26/301–313 Stanmore Rd
Petersham NSW 2049, Australia
PO Box 42
Erskineville NSW 2043
Psychologist for First Responders | Police, Paramedics & Firefighters
Psychological Support for First Responders
With a background in law enforcement, Stuart understands the operational realities and culture of emergency service work. Therapy provides a practical, respectful space to discuss the impact of frontline duties and develop strategies to support wellbeing.
Support for First Responders
Police, paramedics, and firefighters are regularly exposed to critical incidents, operational stress, shift work, and high responsibility. Over time this can affect sleep, mood, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Psychology can provide support for concerns such as:
• Exposure to traumatic or distressing incidents
• Ongoing operational stress
• Anger, irritability, or hypervigilance
• Sleep problems and fatigue
• Moral stress after difficult decisions
• Burnout, relationship strain, or career transition
Therapy is confidential, practical, and focused on your goals.
Confidentiality
Information shared in sessions is not provided to employers or organisations without your consent, except where required by law. Confidentiality is explained clearly at the start of therapy.
First responders and their families are welcome to make contact if they are seeking support.
Two Session Support For Police Applicants
Psychological Support for Police Applicants
Support is available for people preparing to apply for policing roles.
Psychological support may include:
• Independent psychological assessment relevant to police recruitment
• Strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and performance pressure
• Building resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation
• Preparation for the psychological demands of policing
• Feedback to support readiness for the recruitment process
We work with applicants to help them understand their strengths, manage pressure, and prepare for the demands of police work.
Confidentiality
All sessions and assessments are confidential. Information is not shared with employers or recruitment bodies without your consent, except where required by law.
If you are preparing to apply for policing and would like support or have been asked for an independent mental health assessment, you are welcome to make contact.
Support for Work Psycho-Social Issues & SIRA WorkCover
Psychological support for work injury and pain
Recovering from a workplace injury can affect both physical health and emotional wellbeing. Psychological support can help you manage pain, stress, and the challenges that come with injury and recovery.
Therapy focuses on practical strategies to support coping, adjustment, and return to functioning.
Services can be provided for people covered by SIRA (workers compensation).
What to Expect in the First Appointment
First Appointment
The first session focuses on understanding your current concerns and what may be contributing to them.
This typically includes:
• Discussing the issues you would like support with
• Brief background relevant to your situation
• Explaining confidentiality and privacy
• Identifying goals and possible therapy approaches
The initial appointment also helps determine whether psychological support feels useful for you at this time.
You are welcome to contact Resilience Matters Clinical Psychology by phone or email.
How Psychology Can Help
The following fictional scenarios to show the range of work psychologists can do. Note they do not describe real clients.
Trauma
A police officer experiencing trauma, low mood, and increasing anger sought support from a psychologist outside the police organisation through a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Their goal was to access independent and confidential psychological support separate from the workplace.
Under NSW Police Health Policy, the remaining “gap” fee for sessions was covered, meaning the officer did not incur any out-of-pocket costs for treatment.
This arrangement allowed the member to receive confidential, evidence-based psychological therapy in a private setting, while still accessing available health supports. For many first responders, working with a psychologist outside their organisation can provide a space to speak openly about work experiences, operational stress, and personal wellbeing.
ADHD
A Year 12 student preparing for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) sought support to manage the academic demands of their final school year. The student had a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and was being treated with prescribed stimulant medication under the care of their medical practitioner.
Alongside medical treatment, psychological sessions focused on practical study and executive functioning skills, including planning, time management, scheduling, and organising study tasks. These strategies were designed to help the student structure their workload, maintain focus, and manage the increased pressure associated with HSC examinations.
Psychological support aimed to strengthen study routines, task initiation, and sustained attention, enabling the student to approach their exams with greater confidence and organisation.
Anxiety
A teacher experiencing family stress alongside workplace conflict sought psychological support to better manage the emotional impact of these pressures.
Therapy focused on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches. Sessions helped the client identify and manage anxious thoughts, develop skills to “let go” of unhelpful thinking patterns, and build greater psychological flexibility.
Mindfulness-based strategies were also introduced to support emotional regulation, present-moment awareness, and more balanced responses to stress. These skills assisted the client in managing anxiety, improving coping at work, and maintaining wellbeing during a challenging period.
Workplace Psycho-Social Stress
An adult experiencing a workplace injury and chronic pain, while navigating a workers compensation claim, sought psychological support under the NSW State Insurance regulatory framework.
The individual chose to engage with a psychologist independent of their employer, allowing for confidential and impartial psychological care during a complex and often stressful period.
Therapy focused on approaches drawn from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and narrative-based therapy to help the client better understand and manage the relationship between pain, stress, and emotional wellbeing.
Flexible Appointments
Telehealth
Telehealth in Australia has revolutionised psychological services by offering convenient access to mental health professionals through video calls and phone consultations. The increased convenience and accessibility potentially enable more people to receive support.
Evidence suggests that telehealth is an effective form of mental health care (Snoswell, C. et.al.,2023).
In-Person or Telehealth?
For most clients and evidence-based therapies, both telehealth and in-person sessions are effective. It's more about your choice and convenience.
Back in Control
You don’t have to manage alone.
Whether you’re recovering from a difficult job, navigating workplace conflict, dealing with cumulative stress, or managing the impact of shift work, we collaborate to help you feel more grounded, more capable, and more in control of your path forward.
Moving Forward
If you are unsure which type of appointment is right for you, we can help you explore your options. Reach out with any questions about availability or how we can support your needs.
Contact
If you need help, you can contact your GP, Lifeline, or NSW Mental Health 24/7. If your or someone else’s life is in danger, please contact emergency services on 000.
