TST was created to provide support and therapy that is true to who a person is, and their own vision for their life.
Hi, my name is Tara Impala.
I work as an AHPRA-registered psychologist and NDIS-registered positive behaviour support practitioner. It has been my privilege to work for over six years in Australian mental health and disability. During this time, I have learnt that providing support and therapy to people reaches far past what is taught in schools and books. My clients have been my greatest teachers. We have worked together to understand their world, and connect with their sense of self to build meaning and comfort in their lives. I have also learnt that too many people can’t access psychology due to expensive fees, so I provide the lowest fees in Australia for general private psychology.
I am also passionate about providing aid to communities and integrating physical health with mental wellbeing, performance, and development. In pursuit of these passions, I am currently only accepting telehealth sessions as I am training and working overseas in Asia and the Middle East. Please see below for specific details on my approach and background, and join my waitlist if you feel we may be a good fit. I truly look forward to working with you.
My Approach
My approach to work in psychology, behaviour support, and health and performance is based on one fundamental similarity despite the differences in these three services. The fundamental basis for all of my work is to understand who you are. If you feel you don’t understand yourself yet, that’s okay, we’ll learn together. The process is endless.
Private Psychology
In my psychology work, I use different techniques and modes of Western and Islamic psychology that you can learn more about in the Private Psychology page. Different therapy approaches work for different people. In our sessions together, as we learn more about you, I will guide you through evidence-based approaches that suit you and the issues you are facing. My interests are with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, somatic techniques, spiritual psychotherapies, and cognitive and behavioural therapies, but we can use any method you’d prefer. The specific type of therapy is less important to me than the relationship between myself and my client, and what is happening, in the moment, during our sessions.
Positive Behaviour Support
In my behaviour support work, I see a participant’s behaviour as their means of communicating to those around them. Our society has not been developed for the needs of people with disabilities, and in efforts to maintain order, the world around them can be very isolating and restrictive. Concerning behaviours are consequentially expressed in attempt to have needs met. My approach involves working closely with care teams while getting to know the participant and their environment to reduce restrictive practices, improve quality of life, and understand the triggers, setting events, and functions of concerning behaviour. See the Positive Behaviour Support page to learn more.
Health and Performance
In my health and performance work, I take a focused look at you as a whole person to develop personalised tools and practices that elevate your physical and mental performance. This means looking at how your core pillars of health are operating individually, and as a whole system, including the physical (i.e., sleep, nutrition, and movement), the mental (i.e., mindset, regulation, and coping), the social (i.e., relationships and sense of connection), and the spiritual (i.e., sense of self and purpose). I will help you create plans and protocols for exercise, nutrition, recovery, connection, and personal development. Learn more at the Health and Performance page.
My Background
I initially followed a stereotypical career path from high school. I completed my Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Monash University and entered into the mental health workforce as a disability support worker in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) residence. After I graduated, COVID hit, and I spent three years continuing work in NDIS disability as a support worker and behaviour support practitioner, while also working actively as a psychological researcher. I have led several published scientific articles and two book chapters on therapist training and processes within the therapeutic relationship. You can view my publication history here. I also began training and competing in martial arts, and have studied complementary and alternative health approaches advocated for by the National Institute of Health, such as breathwork, mindfulness, cold and heat exposure, and natural remedies. Following the end of the pandemic, I completed my Master of Clinical Psychology from La Trobe University. I have worked with people across the lifespan, experiencing the spectrum of mental and physical health issues, in private practice, forensic settings, residential settings, and public mental health.
“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” - Lao Tzu, legendary Chinese philosopher.
My formal training and diverse work experience has provided me with technical skills and knowledge in providing high-quality, evidence-based mental health and disability support. Honestly though, when I think of what it is that makes me a great health practitioner, it is my experiences as a human, just like you. I’ve struggled and I’ve lost. I’ve felt shame and guilt. I’ve made mistakes, and regretted the person I’ve been at times. I have been broken and I have put the pieces back together. I have witnessed change in myself, and observed the processes, internally and externally that helped me change. More than any of this, I have seen people far worse off than me overcome challenges far greater than I have experienced. I share this with you to show that if you work with me, I will understand you as a person not from my textbooks, and I will take the greatest care in helping you get to where you want to be, because it is possible for all of us.
“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart…the privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Gustav Jung, renowned analytical psychologist.
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