Sheena Takacs
(she/her)
Founder, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Advanced Individual Schema Therapist / Supervisor
I work with adults who experience long-term emotional challenges, including personality disorders, emotion dysregulation, chronic anxiety, persistent low mood, and self-esteem difficulties. Many of my clients have a history of trauma and have struggled with interpersonal difficulties, deeply ingrained patterns, or a sense of being stuck despite previous therapy.
I have a special interest in working with mental health clinicians, offering them a reflective space to explore their own challenges and emotional well-being. I also frequently support individuals navigating burnout, imposter syndrome, and the tension between self-expectations and authenticity in both personal and professional life.
My Approach
I predominantly use Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other experiential approaches because I believe in addressing the wounds beneath the symptoms—not just managing surface-level distress. Therapy, to me, is more than a set of tools; it’s a deeply transformative process that helps individuals break free from unhelpful patterns and create lasting change.
I value depth over quick fixes, knowing that meaningful growth happens when we connect with the parts of ourselves that have been unheard, unseen, or in pain for a long time. I’m especially passionate about working with people who have tried other therapies but felt something was missing, because my approach goes beyond teaching coping skills—it’s about gaining deeper self-awareness, processing unresolved pain, and developing healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
Whilst my primary focus is on emotion-focused interventions, I also draw from other modalities such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), psychodynamic therapy, and somatic-based techniques, allowing me to adapt my approach to best support each individual’s therapeutic journey.
My Background & Training
I hold a Master of Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Wollongong. With over 10 years of experience, I have worked across various mental health settings, supporting individuals with complex and long-standing difficulties.
I am deeply committed to ongoing learning and professional growth, regularly engaging in advanced training and further study to stay at the forefront of evidence-based practice.
I have completed my accreditation as an Advanced Certified Individual Schema Therapist and Supervisor with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). I am also a board-approved supervisor and a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, the International Society for Schema Therapy, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
