Sophie Tan

Clinical Psychologist

About

Sophie is a registered Clinical Psychologist who has completed her training in Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne. She has experience working with individuals across different age groups, including young persons, adults and older adults in public and private settings.

Sophie’s therapeutic approach is informed by her authenticity to connect with others, positive regard and respect for each and every individual. She creates a warm and safe space for individuals to explore their difficulties, and values the therapeutic rapport that she builds with her clients. Sophie believes that in order to alleviate suffering, it is important as a first step to develop self-awareness to issues underlying personal distress and challenges. Throughout this journey, change and psychological healing shall occur.

Sophie has experience working with individuals from diverse age groups and socio-cultural backgrounds with a broad range of difficulties. These include, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficult emotions, emotional dysregulation, stress, adjustment issues, sleep problems, interpersonal challenges and relationship issues, trauma and complex trauma, as well as issues relating to physical health.

Therapeutic Approaches

Sophie appreciates the utilization of different therapy modalities to best suit individuals' needs.  She mainly incorporates psychodynamic frameworks that focus on emotions, relational patterns and behaviours.  She likes to work collaboratively with clients to develop therapeutic goals.

She is currently undertaking training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP).

Sophie is also experienced in the following therapetuic approaches.

Languages

In addition to her first language English, Sophie is able to communicate in basic Mandarin Chinese.

Publications

Sophie’s research derives from her interest in understanding and addressing attachment issues/relations to early caregivers, unmet emotional needs in childhood and subsequent learning/development of coping/defense mechanisms which often contributes to individuals' current difficulties relating to emotional vulnerability, relationship patterns/issues and other symptoms and presentations (e.g. anxiety and depression).

Tan, S. L. S., Stafford, L., Bryant, C., Jensen, H., Komiti, A., & Newman, L. (2021). Subjective experiences of participating in an attachment-based early intervention parenting program. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Qualifications

  • Master of Psychology (Clinical), The University of Melbourne

  • Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), James Cook University

  • Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Wollongong

Professional Memberships

Sophie is registered with the National Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). She is also a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA).