About Caitlin Bell

Clinical Psychologist & Psychodynamic Therapist

If you’re like the patients who find themselves sitting on my couch:

  • You’re accomplished, creative and a high achiever. On the outside, you have everything together. But inside, it’s a different story.

  • You may feel lost, alone, and exhausted. You’re quick to blame or criticise yourself for not being good enough. To cope, you’ve learnt it’s safer to hide and dull down the real you.
  • And I imagine few people truly see the real you.

You might seek therapy to increase self-awareness. To understand the deeper story behind your symptoms. Or to make sense of complex emotional experiences.

Above all, my wish is that therapy becomes a place where you can become fully yourself.

caitlin bell psychologist

I’ve never met an “irrational” thought that didn’t make sense once its full story was known

Here’s my story

Stories are everywhere. We all have a story. Here’s mine:

Managing symptoms with tools and strategies

During my postgrad training, I learned CBT—a therapy that manages symptoms with tools and strategies. But I couldn’t shake the sense that beneath people’s symptoms, something deeper was trying to be heard.

Listening to symptoms instead

Turns out, I was drawn to listening to symptoms, not managing them. My patients need a therapy that makes space to notice patterns, explore emotions and let deeper truths surface.

Psychodynamic therapy was the key

That’s when I found psychodynamic therapy, which looks at how experiences, unconscious patterns, and relationships shape our lives today. Research backs its effectiveness, but what drew me in was its humanity. I also trained in IFS therapy, a similar depth-oriented therapy that complements my psychodynamic approach.

A space to feel fully yourself

My style is active yet non-directive, meaning I meet clients where they’re at. I’m known for being myself in sessions, with curiosity, humour and care. My belief is that therapy becomes a place for people to feel fully themselves, and in that space, change naturally follows.

My guiding values

Authenticity

Hearts on sleeves. Having the courage to be oneself. Becoming the person we are meant to be.

Kindness

Showing compassion and understanding to others, and oneself.

Curiosity

Seeking to understand before being understood. Not taking what people say at face value.

Fun

Fun is at the heart of what makes us human. Life is too important to be taken too seriously!

In sessions, you’ll find me:

  • Listening rather than scribbling notes
  • Sprinkling in humour
  • Asking questions to open new perspectives
  • Attending to you as a human, not a diagnosis
  • Making space for your dreams, wishes, and even fantasies.

I draw upon these qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts (French and Philosophy)
  • Graduate Diploma in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)
  • Master of Psychology (Clinical)

I’m also a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI). The development of my skills as a therapist and ongoing education and training are something I value. I engage in regular clinical supervision and psychotherapy.

Let’s make sense of the patterns holding you back from the life you want