“When we drop fear, we can draw nearer to people, we can draw nearer to the earth, we can draw nearer to all the heavenly creatures that surround us.”
Lacuna is an Integrative Psychotherapy service that supports those who are seeking extra care, navigating distressing and challenging life circumstances. Working with a psychotherapist doesn’t have to only be when life is tough; it can also be a space for you to learn more about yourself with excitement and curiosity.
At Lacuna, we aim to walk alongside our clients with respect for the unique stories and life experiences that they carry.
About
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Lacuna is a space for making peace with the in-between — the pause before words, the silence holding uncertainty, the threshold between what you’ve known and what is still unfolding. It is a place where the parts of you that don’t yet have language are welcomed, and where mystery is met with respect rather than fear.
Rooted in existential phenomenology, humanistic, and person-centred psychotherapy, Lacuna honours therapy as a process of presence, meaning-making, and discovery, seeking healthier and truer ways not just to cope but to exist truthfully and effortlessly. It is not about fixing, correcting, or arriving at a definitive place. Instead, it is about meeting what arises with curiosity, staying close to your felt experience, and allowing your healing journey to take shape in its own time.
Each session is a collaborative exploration of your lived experience — what it is like to be you, to exist, to love, to grieve, to hope, to belong, to dream. In this “in-between” space, we slow down and listen for the important pieces that require care and kindness in areas that need it most in our lives. Whilst Lacuna uses an integrative approach through different modalities, it is important that we work collaboratively and understand what you may need session-to-session and moment-to-moment. Here at Lacuna, we work through an extended systemic lens using a decolonising and abolitionist framework, situating healing within the larger contexts of social and ecological justice, & collective liberation.
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FAQ Common Questions
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Starting therapy — whether it’s your first time or you’re returning after a pause — can bring a mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and hope. It’s completely normal to have questions about what the process involves and what it might feel like to sit with someone and talk about your inner world.
Therapy does not require you to have everything figured out before you arrive. Many people begin with only a sense that something in their life needs attention, or that they’d like support in understanding their experiences more deeply. Others come with a clearer focus, wanting to reflect on patterns, relationships, stress, or the impact of past events. All of these starting points are welcome.
In our early sessions, we spend time getting to know what matters to you, what has brought you here, and what you hope to explore. This is also a space for you to get a sense of how I work, ask questions, and decide whether this feels like a supportive fit. There is no expectation to share everything all at once; we move at a pace that feels safe and grounded for you.
Therapy is a collaborative process. You are not expected to perform, be “prepared,” or present yourself in any particular way. Our work takes shape gradually through conversation, reflection, and the emerging understanding of what you’re experiencing in your life, relationships, and internal world.
Whether you are beginning therapy for the first time or returning after time away, this can be a meaningful step toward creating space for yourself — space to reflect, explore, and come into a clearer relationship with what you’re carrying.
If you have questions about the process, the first session, or whether this approach might suit you, you’re welcome to reach out.
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Integrative psychotherapy is an approach that draws on a range of evidence-informed therapeutic models to support people in exploring their experiences, concerns, and well-being. Rather than relying on a single framework, integrative practice combines different perspectives so that the work can be tailored to each person’s needs, preferences, and circumstances.
In this approach, we look at the many factors that shape your inner and outer world — including relationships, personal history, identity, environment, stress responses, and the ways you make sense of your experiences. Integrative psychotherapy considers emotional, cognitive, relational, and somatic aspects of your wellbeing and explores how these different layers interact.
Sessions typically focus on your current experiences and what feels most important for you to reflect on. Together, we explore themes, patterns, and influences that may be contributing to what you are facing in your life. The pace, focus, and direction of therapy are guided collaboratively, respecting your goals and comfort.
Integrative psychotherapy does not offer diagnoses or medical advice, and it does not replace specialised mental health treatment when that is needed. When appropriate, it may involve coordination with other health or support professionals to ensure your care is aligned and comprehensive.
At its core, integrative psychotherapy is a flexible, relational approach that centres a safe, respectful therapeutic environment. It supports the development of self-understanding and reflection within a professional and ethical framework.
If you have questions about whether this approach is suitable for your situation, you are welcome to reach out to discuss further.
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The free 30–60 minute introductory call is an opportunity for us to meet, discuss what you’re seeking, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy. This call is pressure-free and there is no obligation to continue.
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Yes. Confidentiality is a core part of ethical psychotherapy. There are some legal and ethical limits to confidentiality (such as risk of harm to yourself or others), which will be clearly explained before therapy begins.
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Therapy can be short-term or open-ended, depending on your needs and goals. Some people attend for a specific period around a particular issue, while others engage in longer-term work focused on deeper integration and ongoing support. It is recommended that for Psychotherapy to be effective, regularity and consistent engagement with the therapeutic process are important.
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This practice is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger or require urgent support, please contact emergency services or a 24-hour crisis line. I’m happy to help you find appropriate support if needed.
24/7 National Support Services (Australia)
Lifeline – Crisis support & suicide prevention
13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support by trained listeners.Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 — Free 24/7 counselling if you’re at risk of suicide or affected by someone else’s suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Beyond Blue Support Service
1300 22 4636 — Support for anxiety, depression and distress, available 24/7 by phone or online chat.Support for Young People
Kids Helpline — Free, confidential support for ages 5–25
1800 55 1800 — Available 24/7 by phone or online chatSpecialised & Community-Focused Support
13YARN — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support line: 13 92 76 (24/7)
1800 Respect — Support for sexual assault or domestic and family violence: 1800 737 732
State/Territory Mental Health Crisis
If you need local mental health crisis support, you can call your state/territory mental health triage or crisis line (also available 24/7):
NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
VIC Suicide Help Line: 1300 651 251
QLD 1300 MH CALL: 1300 64 22 55
SA Mental Health Triage: 13 14 65
WA Mental Health Emergency Response: 1300 555 788 / 1800 676 822
TAS Mental Health Helpline: 1800 332 388
NT Mental Health Line: 1800 682 288
ACT Mental Health Triage: 1800 629 354
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Sessions are offered in-person at Integrative Psychology & Medicine in East Melbourne, and online therapy is conducted via a secure platform and can be just as effective as in-person work for many people.
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Yes. Integrative psychotherapy can be delivered in a way that respects and affirms diverse gender identities, neurodiversity, and multicultural backgrounds.
This means the therapeutic space is intended to be inclusive, respectful, and responsive to each person’s unique identity, lived experience, and worldview. The work is approached collaboratively, recognising that each person’s values, needs, and perspectives are central to the process.
Practices may include attention to:
affirming and respecting gender identity and expression
recognising and responding to neurodivergent ways of experiencing, communicating, and processing
understanding cultural, historical, and social contexts that shape a person’s experiences
reflecting on systemic influences and social determinants of wellbeing
While therapy is adapted to be inclusive and responsive, it does not replace specialised support where required. If it's appropriate, referrals to other services may be discussed to make sure care is comprehensive and aligned with your needs.