Clinical Team
Heather
Heather is an experienced Psychologist with AHPRA endorsement in Clinical and Counselling Psychology, and has been registered as a Psychologist since 1995. Her experience since registration includes working for the Department of Defence – Navy (both as a civilian and a uniformed member), in Community Health, working within local Medical Centres with GPs, and in her own private practice. Prior to commencing studies in Psychology in 1989, Heather worked in Human Resources for 7 years. This experience was a driving force in her decision to become a Psychologist. Becoming a parent at an older age has given her a deeper insight into human behaviour, and while challenging at times, she believes it has made her a more compassionate and reflective therapist.
Heather values authenticity and connection, self-development, self-awareness, and growth. She uses a person-centred approach to create safe, respectful, and non-judgemental relationships with the people she works with. Heather encourages her clients to be curious, to explore their concerns and difficulties, to find meaning, to recognise their strengths and skills, and uses a range of treatment modalities to tailor her approach to meet each client’s individual needs.
Heather uses an integrative strengths-based approach, believing there is no ‘one size fits all’, and incorporates a range of evidence-based therapies in her work. These include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, trauma informed body-centred approaches (Somatic Experiencing and polyvagal theory), mindfulness and meditative practices, and attachment-based perspectives. She is also trained in Eriksonian and Clinical Hypnosis. She works with younger adults, with those of us trying-to-be adults, and the young at heart.
Heather’s strong relational style and collaborative approach to therapy enables her to work comfortably with a range of people and a variety of mental health issues and concerns. She is experienced in working with a range of mental health issues and her particular areas of interest include grief and loss, post-traumatic stress, attachment trauma and disruptions, the impact of military service and separation from the military, psychopharmacology and alternative treatments, neurobiology and neuropsychology, and developing grit and resilience.
Heather owns, operates and is the Principal Psychologist at Sound Psychology. She is a member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc, Association of Counselling Psychologists, and Complex Trauma WA (COTWA).
When she’s not at work, Heather enjoys whatever quiet time she can get, reading, good food, and several different creative hobbies. She is trying to be better at being physically active and with the encouragement of 2 energetic golden retrievers she may be able to achieve that soon!
Sanri
Sanri is a Clinical Psychologist with over 30-years of experience in the field of mental health. She graduated in 1990 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sanri is a Psychology Board-Approved Supervisor, offering supervision to mental health clinicians and provisionally registered psychologists. Her professional memberships include the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and COTWA (Complex Trauma WA).
Her experience working for the South African National Defence Force, as well as in Adult Mental health in New Zealand and private practice and community settings in Australia has equipped her well to offer a wealth of expertise. Sanri believes that there is no one-size-fits-all in therapy and uses a collaborative approach in which clients can feel safe, comfortable, supported, and heard.
Sanri draws from evidence based psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy, tailoring her approach to best meet each client’s needs. Her trauma recovery approach is a strength-based, trauma treatment model that includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic (body-centered) psychology, mindfulness-based therapies, and relational psychotherapy. Sanri is also trained in Clinical and Eriksonian hypnosis.
Sanri’s key interest areas are Complex Trauma, PTSD, Mood disorders (Depression, Bipolar Disorder). Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Adjustment Disorders, Workplace stress and injuries, Chronic Pain, Grief and Loss and emotional/social difficulties across the lifespan. She mainly works with adults and late adolescents.
Sanri is a keen runner, practices yoga and loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, kayaking and stand-up-paddle boarding. In her free time Sanri loves to paint and garden.
Appointments with Sanri are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Leena
Leena is a registered psychologist who employs a compassionate and caring person-centred approach to working primarily with adults. Leena has a particular interest in working with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, PTSD, stress, sleep issues, and personality disorders. Her eclectic approach incorporates best practices and evidence-based methods to develop personalised treatment plans and to create a safe and collaborative space for meaningful and lasting functional changes.
As an active member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Leena consistently engages in continuous professional development, attending educational seminars and workshops to enhance her therapeutic skills. Her eclectic approach incorporates best practices and evidence-based methods tailored to each client's specific needs, creating a safe and collaborative space for meaningful and lasting functional changes.
Drawing on her extensive background as an IT consultant spanning two decades across various government and private enterprises, Leena holds a distinctive perspective on human behaviour. Her desire to understand what makes us unique and different from one another, as well as what helps each of us succeed, inspired her to pursue an Honours degree in Psychology at UWA. Leena firmly believes in everyone's capacity for positive change, irrespective of their past. She will assess your unique needs and develop a personalised treatment plan that suits you best.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Leena finds joy in reading, gardening, cooking, and travelling. She values quality time spent with family, friends, and her Labrador Retriever.
Leena is available for appointments on Thursdays and Fridays.
You can view Leena's availability and book online by clicking on the Book Now button below.
Sorcha
Sorcha is a provisionally registered psychologist who graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology in 2021. Sorcha is a welcoming and approachable person who promotes a sense of warmth and safety in sessions. Sorcha enjoys collaborating with individuals to address concerns with a humanistic, supportive, and pragmatic approach. She believes that with the right tools and resources, mixed with a safe and supportive environment, people can overcome certain difficulties and make positive and meaningful changes in their lives.
Sorcha provides psychological therapy to a range of people who are experiencing mental health challenges including Anxiety, Depression, Stress, and support through various life changes. Sorcha has particular interest in working with neurodiverse presentations including ADHD and Autism, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community. She takes an integrative and multi-modal approach incorporating various evidence-based therapeutic techniques. She tailors treatment to be the best suited for a person’s particular concerns and challenges.
Prior to completing her degree in Psychology, Sorcha pursued other areas of interest including studying Fine Arts and cake decoration. She believes that the involvement of passions, hobbies, and interests in day-to-day life are beneficial components of balance and self-care.
When Sorcha is not engaged in work tasks, you can often find her tending to her houseplants, painting, drawing, out at the newest restaurant (self-described “foodie”) or thinking about where she wants to travel to next. She enjoys making and eating delicious food, spending time with her friends and family, and taking her Miniature Dachshund for a long walk on the beach.
Sorcha is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Veronica
Veronica completed her Bachelor of Psychology in 2015 before entering the community mental health space where she remained for six years. Here she came to appreciate that we all need a little support from time-to-time, no matter where we come from or who we are. In the last two years, Veronica provided psychological support to people experiencing acute mental health challenges in a residential setting.
Veronica is an energetic and approachable person who brings light and humour into the therapy room. She is a humanist at heart and believes given the opportunity, like any household pot plant, we all have the capacity survive, grow and thrive.
Veronica takes an eclectic approach to therapy allowing her to be truly-person centred, holistic and appreciative of the unique backgrounds, experiences, circumstances and strengths each client brings to therapy. She draws from evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindful-based strategies, and Schema-informed therapy.
Veronica is particularly passionate about working with depression and trauma experiences. She believes no matter what life has thrown at us we should never underestimate our ability to surprise ourselves.
When given the chance, Veronica loves to dance whether in a classical studio or, unabashedly, in her living room. Some other things Veronica could not live without are music and chocolate, and of course, good conversation.
Administrative Team
Rhiannon & Lea-Anne
Rhiannon and Lea-Anne are the amazing administrators that will greet you when you arrive at Sound Psychology. They bring with them their own unique experiences and knowledge in education and business along with a passion and drive to care for others. They will welcome you into the practice with a smile and are able to help you with any questions or concerns you might have.
Our Story
Heather started her career in Psychology in 1993 as a very new Psychologist working with the Navy at HMAS STIRLING, Western Australia. She was able to have a number of amazing experiences over the next 7 years and to meet a wide range of incredible people. This experience helped her develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence in helping people to manage the challenges they faced in their work, their relationships, and their lives, and provided a strong foundation for her career as a psychologist.
She commenced a Master’s degree in Psychology, studying part-time. In 2000 she moved interstate with her 2 young children and worked in a community health service in Victoria. This experience broadened her perspective in working in a team of allied health professionals to provide services and support to people in a community setting.
A return to Western Australia in 2003 (with another baby!) saw return to work part-time in Medical Centres in Safety Bay and Port Kennedy. This allowed her to gain experience and knowledge in working with doctor’s, the Medicare system, and in meeting the mental health needs of her local community.
With her children now at school and the Master’s degree completed, Heather started a private practice in 2006, working as a sole practitioner in a rented one-room office in Safety Bay. This allowed her to balance family and working life – something she values greatly for herself, the Sound Psychology team, and her clients.
After about 10 years juggling private practice on her own and with ever increasing working hours, Heather knew she had to expand the business in order to help more people. She found a run-down office space in a great location, and after renovations, Sound Psychological Health Care in Safety Bay was open for business in January 2016. She reached out to other experienced psychologists who had a similar passion and vision for mental health and Sanri Blom joined the practice nearly 4 years ago. Sanri brings the same commitment and drive to providing quality mental health services to the Rockingham community.
Sound Psychological Health Care became Sound Psychology in 2021 as part of our commitment to continual growth and development as psychologists and as a practice. In 2022 we are continuing to explore other ways we connect with clients and members of our community to support their mental health.
Our mission genuine is to connect with our clients in a genuine way, encouraging them to grow, and supporting them to thrive in their relationships with others, in their lives, their work, and their communities.
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We are honoured to be on the ancestral lands of the Nyoongar people: the traditional custodians of this land. We pay our respects to the Whadjuk and Binjareb Nyoongar people whose land we live and work from, and pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging.