Schema Therapy &
Integrative Psychology
Offered in-person at Tamborine Mountain or via Telehealth across Australia.
Sanctum Integrative Psychology provides evidence-based psychological support for adults wishing to make sense of difficulties and navigate the deeper questions that other therapy hasn't been able to reach.
If you’ve been experiencing:
Anxiety, stress, and difficulty slowing down
Schema therapy works with what lies beneath the surface, rather than managing symptoms alone. This is particularly relevant where anxiety and stress have been present for most of your life, or is tied to early experiences of instability, or not feeling safe.
Issues of identity, self-concept and feelings of inadequacy
A harsh inner critic, the sense of never being enough, or if you often feel like you fall short, Schema therapy helps identify where these patterns began and supports a genuinely kinder relationship with yourself.
Loss, grief and struggle through a significant life transition
Losing someone or something deeply valued can unsettle your world. This approach offers a caring space to move through grief, honour what’s been lost, and find small, steadying steps forward.
Depression, low mood, and disconnection
Particularly where low mood feels bound up with deeper questions of identity, meaning, belonging, or a pervasive sense of not being enough – this therapeutic approach explores the persistent patterns, including experiences of loss, neglect, or trauma in early life.
Complex and developmental trauma
Early attachment wounds shape how we see ourselves and what we believe we deserve. Schema therapy works at the level of the beliefs and emotional memories formed during formative years.
Relational conflicts and difficulties with connection
When the same dynamics keep appearing across relationships, these often reflect deep relational schemas formed early in life. This work explores what those patterns are protecting, and how to build more secure and authentic connections.
Welcome to Sanctum,
I’m Ashra.
As a Clinical Psychologist, I am dedicated to providing a compassionate and secure therapeutic environment in which clients can explore their experiences, make sense of difficulties, and reconnect with a grounded and authentic sense of self.
My therapeutic orientation is informed by both contemporary psychological research and an appreciation for the complexity of human development and experience. While my primary framework is Schema Therapy, my practice also draws upon somatic psychology, ecopsychology, mindfulness and compassion-based approaches
Outside of clinical work, I have a particular interest in the interplay between culture, nature, and the psyche – how our internal worlds are shaped by, and in turn shape, the environments we inhabit.
Our work is integrative, trauma-informed and depth-oriented, creating a reflective space in which your experiences can be explored with care, curiosity, and respect.
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Schema Therapy is a process-oriented approach goes deeper than other cognitive-behaviour therapies (CBT), drawing on attachment theory, psychoanalytic principles, and Gestalt practices to offer a more layered approach to healing. In Schema Therapy, we explore the origins of longstanding struggles, and how these may be influencing your present experiences and behaviours. The ultimate aim is to heal unconscious patterns made up of beliefs, emotions, somatic experiences, and memories –often formed in early life – and build new positive, empowering, and healthy ways of being.
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Developing flexibility in how you relate to thoughts, emotions, and internal experiences, with an emphasis on values-aligned living.
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Cultivating a kinder and more supportive inner stance, particularly where self-criticism or shame feels familiar.
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Working with the interaction between thoughts, feelings, and behaviour to develop practical skills for responding to challenges.
“To become human is to become visible while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.” – David Whyte
FAQ
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It’s common to feel uncertain before beginning therapy. The first session is a conversation about what has been happening for you and what feels important to understand or explore. We may discuss your background, current concerns and psychological symptoms and what you hope to gain from therapy. This also offers an opportunity for you to get a sense of the therapeutic process and whether this approach feels like a good fit for you.
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From 1 July 2026, the session fee (50 minutes) is $269. This is considerably lower than the Australian Psychological Society (APS) suggested fee for 2026/2027 of $340.
If you have a referral from your GP under the Medicare Better Access Scheme (also known as a Mental Health Care Plan), then you will receive a rebate of $149.02. This means there is an out-of-pocket gap of $119.98 per session.
You can access up to 10 Medicare Better Access sessions per calendar year.
Please note that, if additional sessions are requested, then some private billing may be needed across the year.
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It depends on what you would like to work through, your goals, and the pace that feels right for you. Some individuals prefer shorter-term support, while others choose longer-term work to explore more complex or longstanding patterns.
This is something that we will discuss together early in the therapy process. As a Schema Therapist, I often support clients over a longer period of time.
It is also important to know that therapy involves contacting difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories at times. You can be assured that this is done in a very supported and purposeful way at all times, and always with the client choosing what feels right for them.
Therapy is a committment - important change takes some work! However we are here to support you on your therapy journey.
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No, you can see me privately if you prefer. This means, however, that you will not receive a rebate for your session and will need to pay the full fee yourself.
If you do wish to attend therapy under a Mental Health Care Plan, it is a relatively simple process – phone and make a longer (double) session with your GP – you can let the medical practice reception know you are seeking a psychology referral. The GP will ask you some questions about how you are feeling, and you can request that your referral be directed to a particular psychologist.
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Yes. If you have a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates are available for sessions with a Clinical Psychologist. You are also welcome to attend privately without a referral, if you prefer.
Rebate and fee information will be outlined clearly prior to your first appointment.
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Sanctum does not accept WorkCover, DVA funding, or requests related to family court or other legal matters. If you are seeking support under any of these, we'd encourage you to seek a provider who specialises in these areas.
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Sanctum supports adult individuals experiencing:
Experiences of low mood or depression
Feelings of anxiety, worry, or internal tension
Stress and the impact of ongoing demands
Complex or developmental trauma
Grief, loss, and significant life transitions
Questions of identity, meaning, or purpose
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Sanctum offers a focused scope of practice. We do not work with the following:
Specific Phobias and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Eating Disorders
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
Relationship or Sexual Dysfunction Counselling
Child and Family Psychology
Drug and Alcohol Counselling
Anger Management/Forensic Presentations
If you are seeking support with any of the above, we encourage you to speak with your GP or treating health practitioner, who can help connect you with the right specialist.
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Yes. While many people find in-person sessions helpful—especially at the beginning—telehealth is also available if this is more suitable for your circumstances.
If we are considering telehealth as the primary way of working together, we will discuss this collaboratively to ensure it aligns with your needs. All telehealth sessions are held through a secure, private online platform.
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Sometimes, ‘life happens’, and you are very welcome to cancel or reschedule your appointment. However, you do need to provide at least 24 business hours’ notice. If you cancel or reschedule your appointment within this time – regardless of the reason – then you will be charged a $119.98 cancellation fee, which you will need to pay yourself (i.e., there is no rebate on cancellation fees).
Sessions usually run for 50 minutes. Please be aware that, if you are running late, then your session may unfortunately be shorter as a result.
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Sanctum Integrative Psychology is not a crisis service.
The clinic is open 9-5 Tues-Thurs (except on holidays).
If you need to contact us, please be aware that it is unlikely that you will reach us by phone as Ashra is usually with clients. We will respond to enquiries as soon as possible.
If you need immediate support, or feel unsafe in any way, please call Lifeline 13 11 14, the Acute Care Team on 1300 64 22 55, or Emergency 000.