ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Empowering Growth Through Genuine Connection and Evidence-based Care
VZ Psychology & Counselling was built on the belief that therapy should feel genuine and empowering. We are here to walk beside you (or your child/teen) with curiosity, compassion, and clinical expertise. Helping you make sense of what you’re feeling and gently supporting the growth that follows. Founded by Victoria, a Clinician with over a decade of experience and a deep passion for emotional wellbeing across the lifespan, our practice offers more than just counselling sessions. We offer genuine connection, meaningful understanding, and practical tools to help you thrive.
We support children, teens, adults, and families using evidence-based modalities. Every session is tailored to the individual, whether that’s helping a young child regulate big emotions, guiding a teen through identity and stress, or supporting an adult through anxiety, burnout, or life transitions.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all space. We take the time to truly understand who you are, what you value, and how we can support your healing and growth, both in and beyond the therapy room. We also have created the perfect self-regulation tools and calming kits to help extend the work done in therapy into everyday life, because mental health support doesn’t stop when the session ends.
MEET THE TEAM
Our Team of Mental Health Professionals Dedicated to
Supporting your Emotional Well-Being
Victoria
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Principal Therapist
Victoria is a Registered Clinical Therapist with a special interest and extensive experience working with Trauma. Victoria has over 10 years of clinical experience providing psychological counselling to children, teens, and young adults. She also delivers group programs and workshops in schools, supporting emotional wellbeing and resilience in educational settings.
Victoria has worked across a range of settings, including refugee torture & trauma services, schools, NGOs, and Family and Community Services (FACS). With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Health and Counselling, her approach is deeply informed by trauma, attachment, and developmental theory. Victoria uses a range of evidence-based therapies some of which include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Adv.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Interpersonal Therapy
- Art and play-based therapy
RAP-A and Seasons for Growth group programs
Derya
Adult Psychologist
Derya is a registered psychologist with over 10 years of clinical experience and has a genuine passion for supporting people through life’s challenges. She has a special interest in pain psychology. She believes that every individual holds the inner strength and wisdom to navigate difficult times, though there are moments when a safe space and the right guidance are needed to reconnect with those inner resources.
Derya works with teens and adults from diverse backgrounds ages 11+, each with their own unique story and strengths. Derya utilises a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- The Conversational Model (CM)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
This allows her to tailor therapy to suit each person’s needs and goals, recognising that no two journeys are the same. Derya is passionate about creating a warm, collaborative, and supportive therapeutic environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful change in their lives.
Samarah
Child and Adult Psychologist
Samarah holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has over 10 years of clinical experience, and is currently a clinical registrar. She works with clients experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, and bipolar disorder. Samarah has extensive experience supporting moderate to severe neurodivergent individuals, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities, and has worked in the disability sector for over five years. She is passionate about improving wellbeing and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, using a collaborative approach that includes behaviour support, social skills development, and parent coaching.
Samarah is committed to evidence-based practice, primarily utilising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailored to each client’s needs. Samarah is dedicated to promoting psychological health and wellbeing, and her goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of those she works with.
Mary
Child and Teen Psychologist (Paediatric Psychologist)
Mary is a friendly and passionate psychologist with 10 years of clinical experience, and is committed to providing genuine care and support to children, adolescents, and families, helping them manage and better cope with a range of mental health challenges. She is dedicated to achieving positive outcomes by understanding each child’s unique needs and implementing effective, evidence-based interventions while working collaboratively with parents and carers throughout the therapeutic process.
Her clinical experience includes supporting children with anxiety, depression, behavioural and emotional difficulties, and anger management, through tailored, individualised therapy.
She also has extensive experience conducting psychological assessments for children and adolescents with complex needs, including clinical interviews, behavioural observations, and comprehensive report writing. In addition, Mary has facilitated group programs focusing on social skills development and assertiveness training for children. Mary is an approachable and compassionate psychologist who provides both psychological assessments and individualised, evidence-based interventions, and works closely with families to ensure consistent and meaningful therapeutic progress.
Shiv
Child and Adult Psychologist
Shiv is a registered Psychologist with over 10 years of clinical experience providing evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention across the lifespan, working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. She utilises a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), tailoring treatment to meet the individual needs and goals of each client.