Suite 1, Level 3, 20 Wentworth Street, Parramatta Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · By appointment only
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What's going on

Anxiety & worryPanic, phobias, worry Depression & low moodWhen nothing feels worth it Trauma & PTSDEMDR and trauma therapy Stress & burnoutRunning on empty Sleep & insomniaCBT-I Relationships & couplesConflict, distance, repair ADHDAssessment and support OCDExposure-based treatment Grief & lossAfter a death or a loss Anger Pregnancy & new parents All conditions

How we help

Individual therapyOne-to-one or online Couples therapyGottman and EFT-informed TelehealthAustralia-wide, by video
Therapy approachesCBTACTEMDRDBTSchemaAll approaches
Programs & groupsMindfulness-X, P3, EAP AssessmentsADHD, autism, cognitive

Getting started

AppointmentsReply within one business day Fees & rebatesMedicare, NDIS, private Your first sessionWhat happens on the day Find a psychologistBy concern, language, day Urgent helpIf you need support now Free · 5 to 10 minMind Health Check
New here?How Medicare worksCommon questionsAbout the practice Not sure where to start? 1300 084 200

GPs & health professionals

Refer a clientOne form, every pathway For GPsPlans, letters, reports Referrer HubYour referrals, in one place Reports & assessmentsADHD, autism, cognitive Medico-legalFor insurers and schemes

Workplaces & organisations

Employee Assistance ProgramStaff book directly Training & wellbeingWorkshops and first aid Work Development OrdersFines cleared by treatment Workers compensationicare and insurers

Families & carers

Supporting a loved oneWhat helps, what to say Request for someone elseFor a partner or parent NDISPlan- or self-managed

Editorial pick

The referral pathways guideWhich form, which plan, how long a report takes.Read the guide
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Free resources

Fact sheets36 PDFs, plain language Worksheets & guidesPractical and printable CoursesFree and self-paced HEALTHY frameworkHow the practice thinks Free · 5 to 10 minMind Health Check

Editor's pick

Read with intentionA plain guide to stress: what it is, and everyday ways to manage it.Read article
From the journal:Clinician notesSubscribe Plain-language insights from our clinicians

The practice

Our storyWestern Sydney, since 2004 Approach & valuesHow we think about good care Practice newsWhat is changing, and when Room rentalConsulting rooms, Parramatta CareersJoin a values-led practice

Our clinicians

Bülent AdaPrincipal Psychologist & Director Sijal AnsariClinical Psychologist Robert RuaneClinical Neuropsychologist Taline BardakjianConsultant Psychologist Mohan ShankarappaClinical Psychologist Michael L. T. CheungConsultant Psychologist Shahim AhmadClinical Psychologist Steve SuttonCounselling Psychologist Irfan YigitSenior Consultant Psychologist Bill SinghConsultant Psychologist Elizabeth LeeClinical Psychotherapist Shareen BirgesCounselling Social Worker Annette HaggertyConsultant Psychologist

Practical

Your first sessionWhat happens on the day Fees & rebatesMedicare, NDIS, private Questions & answersThe ones we are asked most Contact & locationParramatta, and by video Client portalAppointments, forms, invoices FormsConsent and authority

Find your fit

Meet the cliniciansWarm and down-to-earth. Find the right match for you.Find a psychologist
Visit us:Parramatta clinicTelehealth AU-wideGet directions New clients welcome · no referral needed
Positive Psychotherapy

Build on what's strong, not just what's wrong.

Positive Psychotherapy works with your strengths, meaning and sense of engagement, not by ignoring difficulty, but by actively cultivating the things that help people flourish.

Request appointment How it works
What it helps with

What Positive Psychotherapy helps with

Every plan is tailored to you. This is a guide to where this approach is most often used.

Not sure if it's the right fit? That's exactly what your first session is for. We'll recommend the approach (or blend of approaches) that suits you.

How it works

The approach, step by step.

A clear sense of how the work unfolds, always at your pace.

  1. 1

    Identify your strengths

    We uncover your signature strengths and the moments you're at your best, often overlooked when you're struggling.

    Early sessions
  2. 2

    Cultivate positive experience

    Structured practices build gratitude, engagement, positive relationships and meaning into everyday life.

    The sessions that follow
  3. 3

    Grow resilience

    We weave these into lasting habits, so wellbeing becomes something you build, not just hope for.

    Ongoing

PPT combines evidence-based positive psychology practices with genuine therapeutic depth. It complements our HEALTHY framework and the P3 program.

Fees & funding

Know your costs before you start.

With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply to individual therapy. We'll always be clear about costs before you begin.

See fees
  • Medicare: rebates on up to 10 sessions a year with a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
  • NDIS, DVA, Workers Comp & CTP: usually no out-of-pocket cost when approved.
  • Private health: claim through your extras cover, with no referral needed.
A consulting room with a grey armchair, a sage cushion and a wicker table.
Your clinicians

Practitioners who use this approach.

See all clinicians
Common questions

Things people ask before booking.

Is this just about being positive?
No. PPT takes difficulty seriously. It simply adds a deliberate focus on strengths and meaning, which can sit alongside traditional therapy.
Can it be combined with other therapies?
Yes. PPT works well alongside CBT and ACT, and underpins our Positive Psychology (P3) program.
What is Positive Psychotherapy?
Positive Psychotherapy is an approach developed from positive psychology research. Alongside working with what's hard, it helps you identify and use your character strengths, build positive emotions and relationships, and find meaning. It's a structured therapy, not a pep talk.
What happens in a PPT session?
You might explore your signature strengths, reflect on a recent experience, or plan a small practice such as noticing what went well each day. Your psychologist links these exercises to your goals and to the difficulties you're facing. You'll usually have something practical to try between sessions.
Can Positive Psychotherapy be done online?
Yes. PPT works well over telehealth, and many of its exercises are designed to be done in everyday life between sessions. You can choose online, in-person in Parramatta, or a mix.
Is Positive Psychotherapy covered by Medicare?
When it's part of treatment for a mental health concern, psychologists can provide PPT within Medicare's Better Access arrangements. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on sessions with a psychologist. Our team can explain how this applies to you.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us any time. A referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP is only needed to claim Medicare rebates.
Related
References
  1. Seligman MEP, Rashid T, Parks AC. (2006). Positive psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 61(8), 774-788. doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.8.774
  2. Walsh S, Cassidy M, Priebe S. (2017). The application of positive psychotherapy in mental health care: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(6), 638-651. doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22368
  3. Carr A, Cullen K, Keeney C, Canning C, Mooney O, Chinseallaigh E, O'Dowd A. (2021). Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(6), 749-769. doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818807
Reading and tools

Further reading and free tools.

From the Journal

All articles

Fact sheets

All fact sheets

Free self-checks

The Mind Health Check
Which approach might suit? A rough guide to what each therapy focuses on most; your psychologist will help you choose, and many people use more than one.

Thinking and behaviour

Emotion and acceptance

Trauma memory

Relationships

Strengths and solutions

Two adults talking in a warm consultation room
Accepting new clients

Your next step starts here.

Tell us what's going on and we'll match you with the right psychologist, usually after a free triage. No referral needed to begin.

Request appointment Call 1300 084 200
ConfidentialReply within one business dayMedicare rebates may apply
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Suite 1, Level 3, 20 Wentworth St, Parramatta
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