Samantha Jessen
Clinical Psychologist
Hello! My name is Samantha and it's wonderful to connect with you.
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I am an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with many years of experience across private practice, hospitals, and school settings.
I work with adults, offering evidence-based, trauma-informed support to help navigate life's challenges. At Nurture Space, you’ll find a warm, supportive environment where you can feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to explore your journey toward self-discovery and growth, all at your own pace.
​What I can help with:
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Anxiety – Understanding how your anxiety developed as a form of protection and learning to manage it more effectively.
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Assessment – Offering support for those questioning their neurotype and daily functioning, including ADHD or Autism, which may have been masked in childhood due to gender norms or compensatory behaviours.
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Communication – Setting and maintaining boundaries, expressing emotions clearly, and asking for help when you need care and support.
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Emotional literacy – Identifying and appreciating your emotional experiences and learning to care for and cope with difficult emotions.
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Identity – Deeply understanding your sense of self, especially if you feel uncertain about your true identity (such as being neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+, etc.).
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People-pleasing – Recognising the patterns of prioritising others' needs over your own and learning how to prioritise yourself in the here and now.
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PTSD – Caring for yourself after a traumatic event and rediscovering your sense of self and functioning as it was before the event.
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Relationships – Navigating complex family and relational dynamics.
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When I’m not with clients
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person myself, I need plenty of time to relax and unwind. You’ll often find me watching Gilmore Girls, old-school Disney Channel shows, re-living The Eras Tour, or reading cliché romantic novels. I also spend most afternoons at the gym, moving in whatever way feels best. Most importantly, my favourite part of each day is spent walking along the beach with my golden retriever, Mabel, and my wonderful husband.
Modalities & Approaches
Therapy is a shared process that revolves around you.
In the initial sessions, the focus is on learning about your concerns and clarifying what you hope to gain from therapy. Together, we’ll develop a plan and explore the approaches that best align with your personal needs.
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I primarily draw from a combination of:
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Schema Therapy - helps uncover deep-rooted patterns formed in childhood to promote healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others (and yourself).
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EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - a trauma-focused therapy that uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact.
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Attachment Theory - how early relationships with caregivers shape emotional bonds and influence behaviour in adult relationships (attachment styles).
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) - building skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to better manage intense emotions.
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Polyvagal Theory - how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma, aiming to help individuals regulate their emotional and physiological states.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours to improve emotional well-being.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours)
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Clinical Psychologist Endorsement
Approved Medicare Provider
AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002271746