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About

Alicia Merlino

Alicia Merlino is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and has 18 years’ experience providing compassionate, individually tailored psychological care.

She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults across a range of settings, including education, government, trauma services, and private practice. Alicia currently works with teenagers and adults, supporting individuals through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.

Alicia works with clients experiencing anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, life transitions, attachment and relationship difficulties, identity and self esteem concerns, and school or work related stress. She also has extensive experience supporting people who have experienced trauma, including childhood trauma, and has a particular interest in helping clients understand how past experiences can continue to shape thoughts, emotions, and patterns of coping.

Alicia takes a person centred, trauma informed approach to therapy, drawing on evidence based practices and tailoring her work to each individual. She offers both short term and longer term therapy, depending on client needs and goals, and works at a pace that feels safe, respectful, and collaborative.

Sessions are available in Forest Lodge, Bondi Junction, and via telehealth, and are provided in calm, inclusive spaces where clients can feel supported and understood. Clinical supervision is also available for psychologists and provisional psychologists.

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Therapeutic Approach

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming, so Alicia aims to make the process as comfortable as possible. She creates a calm, caring, and supportive space where clients feel truly heard and understood. Alicia believes that the relationship between client and therapist is the foundation of effective therapy, which is why she approaches everyone with kindness, respect, and without judgment.

Alicia takes a holistic approach to well-being, addressing not only mental health but overall wellness. She works collaboratively with clients to uncover the root causes of their challenges and employs evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and strengths-based techniques. Through these methods, Alicia helps clients build on their strengths, fostering personal growth, healing, and lasting change.

• Calm • Compassionate • Holistic • Respectful • Non-judgemental • Trauma Informed • Collaborative • Inclusive • Evidence-based • Empowering • Confidential

Support That Meets You Where You Are

With years of experience in the field, Alicia understands how challenging it can be to face mental health struggles. She offers empathy and unwavering support every step of the way, ensuring that you never feel alone during this process. While therapy often involves exploring difficult emotions, Alicia also believes in finding moments of lightness and even laughter along the journey.

Every small step taken together contributes to meaningful, lasting change. Alicia is committed to walking alongside you to tackle challenges and create progress that endures.

Support Methods

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely practiced form of therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is a short-term, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that aims to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their emotional distress.
CBT is evidence-based and has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. By challenging unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with more constructive ones, CBT helps clients reduce distress and build healthier coping mechanisms. Additionally, it provides practical tools and strategies that clients can apply in their daily lives, empowering them to manage symptoms independently and improve their overall well-being.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy that falls under the broader category of cognitive-behavioural therapies. ACT is designed to help individuals develop psychological flexibility by accepting their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to control or eliminate them. The goal of ACT is to help individuals live a rich, meaningful life while effectively handling the challenges that arise.
The emphasis on acceptance and mindfulness distinguishes ACT from other therapeutic approaches. By encouraging clients to focus on what truly matters to them and take committed action toward their values, ACT helps them reduce the impact of distressing thoughts and emotions. This approach benefits clients by improving their ability to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, fostering greater emotional balance, and enhancing their overall sense of purpose and fulfillment. ACT has been used to effectively treat a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, substance abuse, and stress-related conditions.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) that was initially developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been adapted for various other mental health conditions. DBT combines elements of cognitive therapy with strategies from behaviour therapy to help individuals regulate their emotions, develop interpersonal skills, and improve their overall quality of life.
DBT benefits clients by equipping them with practical tools to manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviours, and navigate interpersonal challenges. Through core components such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, clients learn to build resilience, improve self-awareness, and enhance their relationships. This structured approach fosters a greater sense of control, helping clients lead more balanced, fulfilling lives while effectively managing the symptoms of their mental health conditions.
Schema Therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with attachment theory and psychodynamic concepts. It is designed to treat individuals with longstanding patterns of maladaptive behaviour, known as early maladaptive schemas. These schemas, which often develop during childhood, contribute to the formation of negative core beliefs about oneself and the world.
Schema Therapy benefits clients by helping them identify and understand these deeply ingrained patterns, uncover their origins, and address how they impact current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. By using strategies such as cognitive restructuring, experiential techniques, and behavioural change, clients can challenge and modify their schemas, reducing their influence over daily life. This approach fosters self-awareness, emotional healing, and the development of healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others, leading to more fulfilling relationships and a greater sense of well-being.
A strengths-based approach in psychology is a therapeutic framework that focuses on identifying and building upon an individual’s existing strengths and resources, rather than solely concentrating on problems or deficits. This approach encourages clients to recognise their personal resilience, capabilities, and potential, empowering them to use these strengths to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
This approach benefits clients by fostering a sense of empowerment and self-confidence, helping them reframe their perspective from one of limitations to possibilities. By focusing on what clients already do well, it promotes resilience and self-efficacy, encouraging them to draw upon their inner resources during difficult times. This positive, collaborative framework supports mental health by reducing feelings of helplessness and promoting personal growth. It is effective in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress, while enhancing overall well-being and encouraging sustainable change.

Trained Facilitator in the Following Programs

Reparative Parenting

Trauma and Attachment Course for Parents and Foster Carers
The Reparative Parenting Program is a therapeutic intervention designed to support parents in fostering healing and attachment with children who have experienced trauma or disruptions in their early caregiving relationships. The program focuses on helping parents understand the impact of trauma on a child's emotional and behavioral development and provides them with strategies to create a nurturing and responsive environment. By emphasising consistent, empathetic, and attuned caregiving practices, the program aims to repair the parent-child relationship, build trust, and promote the child's emotional and psychological well-being. Through structured guidance and support, the Reparative Parenting Program empowers parents to address the unique needs of their children, facilitating a path towards recovery and resilience.
Circle Of Security

An Attachment-based Parenting Program
The Circle of Security program is an early intervention initiative designed to enhance the attachment and bonding between parents and their children. Based on attachment theory, it educates parents on understanding and responding to their child's emotional needs. Using a simple visual model, it illustrates how children require their caregivers to be both a secure base for exploration and a safe haven for comfort. The program promotes parental reflection, helping parents recognize their own emotional responses and behaviors, and develop skills to foster a secure attachment. Delivered in supportive group settings by trained facilitators, the Circle of Security aims to strengthen parent-child relationships, support emotional and social development, and reduce behavioral problems in children.

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1-2-3 Magic And Emotion Coaching

Parenting Program
1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching is a comprehensive behavior management program designed for parents, teachers, and caregivers to effectively handle children's behavior while promoting emotional intelligence. The 1-2-3 Magic component uses a simple counting method to address undesirable behavior, reducing the need for arguing or yelling by calmly giving warnings and consequences. Emotion Coaching focuses on helping children understand and manage their emotions by recognising and validating their feelings, teaching them healthy coping mechanisms. Together, these approaches create a balanced discipline strategy that fosters better behaviour and stronger emotional resilience in children, enhancing parent-child relationships.

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Responding To Sexualised Behaviours In Children And Adolescents

A Program for Problem Sexual Behaviours
Managing Sexualised Behaviours in Young People is a practical training program for professionals and caregivers working with children and adolescents. It helps participants understand the difference between typical sexual development and behaviours that may signal concern. The course covers assessment and risk management, effective communication strategies, and how to support families while maintaining legal and ethical responsibilities. It also offers prevention and education tools to promote healthy boundaries and relationships, aiming to create safer environments and informed responses to sexualised behaviours.
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention

Crisis Prevention and Intervention Program
The Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) program is a comprehensive crisis management system designed to help organisations prevent, de-escalate, and manage crises involving children and adolescents. Developed by Cornell University, TCI provides staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively respond to challenging behaviors while promoting a safe and therapeutic environment. The program emphasises the importance of understanding the triggers of challenging behavior, using effective communication and intervention techniques, and implementing strategies for preventing future crises. TCI also includes post-crisis support and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and the well-being of both staff and children.

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The Resilience Doughnut

Resilience Program for Children and Adolescents
The Resilience Doughnut Training Program for children and adolescents is designed to enhance resilience by focusing on seven key factors: parental support, personal skills, family connections, educational engagement, peer relationships, community involvement, and financial literacy. Through interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and personal reflection, participants develop coping strategies, strengthen their strengths, and create individualised resilience plans. Facilitated by trained professionals, the program fosters a supportive environment, encouraging young people to build resilience and thrive in various aspects of their lives.

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The Secret Agent Society

Social Skills Program
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) program is an engaging, evidence-based social skills training designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other social difficulties. The program uses a fun "secret agent" theme to teach essential social skills such as recognising emotions, making friends, and responding to social cues. It also focuses on emotional regulation and behavioral strategies. Delivered in small group settings with interactive activities and role-playing, the program involves parental support to reinforce skills at home, aiming to build confidence and improve social interactions for a better quality of life.

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