* Currently on leave
Isabella Ryan is a Clinical Psychologist with current AHPRA registration. Having worked in public and non-government organisations, Isabella has gained experience working across the lifespan in community, hospital, and private practice settings.
With her naturally empathetic and caring disposition, Isabella cultivates a non-judgemental space for people to share their concerns and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. She is compassionate and understanding, bringing a warm and collaborative approach to each client, honouring their unique life experience. Alongside this, Isabella is committed to providing evidenced-based interventions tailored to client’s specific goals, by drawing on a range of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy and Mindfulness skills. Isabella is interested in assisting clients to make sense of their current difficulties (including how they developed in the first place), and to identify the outcomes they wish to reach. Isabella is guided by client preference whether to work on longstanding patterns, develop coping skills for the present, or work on a combination of both. Throughout the therapy process, Isabella is dedicated to supporting people to develop new skills, overcome challenges, enhance their well-being, and promote a nourishing and fulfilling life.
With a commitment to ongoing learning, Isabella values staying up to date with the latest treatment approaches, and professional and ethical considerations.
Areas of practice
Perinatal mental health and wellbeing
Isabella has a special interest in perinatal (antenatal and postnatal) mental health and wellbeing and is eager to support individuals through the transition of becoming a parent including unexpected pregnancies, fertility concerns, mother’s mental health, father’s mental health and LGBTQIA+ parenting experiences. Isabella is particularly interested in treating perinatal anxiety symptoms and perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Isabella works with clients struggling with:
- Adjustment to parenting (e.g., navigating the life transition and impact on relationships, friendships, self-identity, etc.)
- Unmet expectations regarding parenthood
- Loneliness
- Perfectionism
- Anxiety, overwhelm and frustration
- Difficulty tolerating uncertainty
- Excessive worry
- Health anxiety
- Repetitively checking on baby
- Unwanted intrusive thoughts (‘scary thoughts’)
- Perinatal OCD
- Negative thoughts and self-criticism
- Physical symptoms of anxiety and panic
- Social anxiety (e.g., fear of being judged by others)
- Low mood/ depression symptoms
Early Adulthood (16 years +)
Alongside her interest in perinatal mental health, Isabella works with adults at all stages of life and particularly enjoys supporting individuals navigating early adulthood, appreciating the challenges that can arise during this time.
Isabella works with the following experiences:
- Year 11 and 12 stress (e.g., academic, social/relationship concerns)
- Navigating the transition from high school to university
- University stress, academic achievement pressure
- Perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship concerns (e.g., relationship anxiety, relationship breakdowns)
- Sleep difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Early career challenges
- Low mood and depression
- Anxiety, stress, worry
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Climate anxiety
- Existential anxiety
Chronic Pain
Isabella also has experience working with adults living with chronic pain and recognizes the unique distress and impacts chronic pain can have on quality of life.
Isabella works with clients struggling with:
- Managing chronic pain
- The impact of chronic pain (e.g., social, relationships, and self-identity)
- Loss of mobility
- Social isolation
- Grief and loss in the context of chronic pain
- Depression and anxiety in the context of chronic pain
Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), The University of Adelaide
Master of Psychology (Clinical), University of South Australia
Full & current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Medicare Provider – Clinical Psychology
Isabella Ryan’s ABN is 32 533 629 696
