Liz Cooke

What is your background?

I am a Registered Psychologist with experience supporting clients across the lifespan to navigate complex mental health challenges in public, community and university clinics. I have worked with clients experiencing anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, OCD, disordered eating, prolonged grief, adjustment-related distress, interpersonal challenges, ADHD and Autism.

My therapeutic style draws on a range of evidence-based approaches, primarily grounded in CBT and incorporating ACT, DBT, and attachment- and schema-informed frameworks, as well as parenting strategies such as Triple P and Circle of Security.

Why do you like working with children, adolescents and their families?

I really enjoy working with children, teenagers and families, as these are the relationships and stages of life that shape so much of how we grow and cope. But they can also be, at times, really challenging. When a young person is struggling it can feel overwhelming not just for them, but for the whole family system, and it can be hard to know how to help things shift.

I support children and families to better understand their challenges, build practical skills, and strengthen relationships in ways that create meaningful change over time. I aim to create a safe space where both children and parents feel understood and more confident in navigating challenges together. I love the creativity, honesty, humour and insight that children and teenagers bring to their sessions, and I genuinely enjoy learning from the way they see and experience the world.

I also have a strong interest in perinatal mental health, including supporting women who have experienced birth trauma. This period can bring a mix of joy, vulnerability, and significant identity change, and I’m passionate about supporting parents to make sense of their experiences and feel more connected to themselves and to their important relationships. I also enjoy supporting adults more broadly across a range of life challenges and transitions, including anxiety, OCD, and mood-related concerns.

What are your strengths?

Building strong, genuine therapeutic relationships with my clients is important to me, and I work to create a space that feels calm, collaborative and supportive, where people feel safe to be themselves and explore what’s going on at their own pace. I take a flexible, individualised approach to therapy, helping clients make sense of their experiences and find ways forward that feel both realistic and meaningful for them.

As a parent myself, I have a real appreciation for the pressures and complexities of modern family life, and I bring this understanding into my work with both children and adults.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love being out in nature – at the beach, camping, hiking, exploring with my family. I’m an avid reader of all genres (although I have a soft spot for crime novels and true crime documentaries!). Life is busy with two boys, so I’m often out kicking the footy, on a bike ride or some other adventure. When I have some spare time, I love doing yoga, catching up with friends, exploring new restaurants and wine bars, and occasionally getting to a live music or theatre show.