Dr Sarah-Ann Tay

Senior Clinical Psychologist

About

Sarah is a registered Clinical Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor. She was trained at the University of Melbourne and has practised across primary and tertiary mental health settings including headspace, Monash Health, and the University of Melbourne counselling service in the past decade.

Sarah is experienced in working with young adults and adults from diverse walks of life experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, emotional difficulties, trauma, grief and loss, and/or navigating life changes. In her work, Sarah seeks to uphold values of compassion, authenticity, and hope. She has a warm, kind, and encouraging approach and aims to create a safe therapeutic space where her clients can feel seen, heard, understood, and accepted.

Sarah believes that forging a strong collaborative relationship with her clients is an essential foundation for therapy. From this basis, she is dedicated to guiding her clients to better understand themselves and clarify their goals; process emotions and relate to difficult thoughts in more adaptive ways; discover and draw on their innate wisdom and strengths; and learn skills that can empower them to take steps towards living more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

As a previous international student and graduate researcher, Sarah also has a unique understanding of cultural diversity, transition to a new environment including early career, and the context of graduate study. She has a special interest in working with young adults and all university students to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Therapeutic Approaches

Understanding that every individual is unique, Sarah tailors evidence-based treatment approaches to her clients’ needs and goals. These include:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Mindfulness-based interventions

• Schema Therapy informed approaches

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed approaches

• Trauma-informed interventions

• Motivational Interviewing

Publications

Tay, S-A., Hulbert, C.A., Jackson, H.J., & Chanen, A.M. (2017). Affective and cognitive theory of mind abilities in youth with borderline personality disorder or major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Research, 255, 405 – 411.