Brookvale Psychologist: Meet Paola A. Vieira, Northern Beaches NSW
Brookvale psychologist, Northern Beaches Sydney
Meet Paola A. Vieira, registered psychologist and behaviour support practitioner based in Brookvale, NSW. Paola supports the Northern Beaches community with psychology and Positive Behaviour Support.
Paola A. Vieira, Registered Psychologist in Brookvale, NSW
Paola, thank you for taking time to share your experiences with us. Tell us about you!
I’m a caring and flexible person, I’m also a very curious professional who loves challenges. This is reflected in my choice to become a psychologist in a country so different from my place of birth. I love to learn, understand and support clients from different cultures, that’s my passion.
I’m outgoing and enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, social gatherings and travelling when possible. I have a dog and she follows me everywhere, even to the gym! I am Brazilian and my first language is Portuguese.
Since I moved to Australia, I have had an opportunity to learn some new approaches and adjust my practice to suit the Australian culture and services. I believe in always respecting my clients and following the APS gold standard guidelines for my profession.
I was originally trained in the Brief Psychodynamic Therapy approach. Since I moved to Australia, I trained extensively in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), in addition to attending various professional development courses on Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy(DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Tell us more about your tertiary studies in psychology.
I completed my bachelor's degree in psychology in 2014. I’ve worked in diverse areas completing psychometric assessments, managing human resources, social projects with indigenous populations and sport psychology. I always maintain a high ethical standard especially in relation to preventing risk, and protecting vulnerable people. I love the variety and challenges of working with Ability Consultants. I always wanted to have the opportunity to work with many different individuals and expand my knowledge in a range of areas.
Before I moved to Australia, I also completed a certification and postgraduate course in forensic psychology where I worked with magistrates in the court system. I supported families, and young people facing court matters, and worked in the child protection field for several years. I also had the opportunity to volunteer as a psychologist providing psychotherapy for women and their families in vulnerable situations such as exploitation and domestic violence.
In Australia I’m a Registered Psychologist recognised by AHPRA. I started my provisional registration here in 2021, doing a placement with Ability Consultants and finalising the processes of achieving full registration with a placement working in the forensic program in Long Bay jail.
I’ve built skills proving assessment and therapy interventions in different approaches for 1:1 sessions or group therapy, including CBT, schema therapy, DBT, ACT and Experimental Analyses of Behaviour supporting clients with different genders, challenges and cultures.
Further studies in psychology and Community Services
In addition to university qualifications in psychology, you completed studies in Community Services — can you tell us about this?
I attended college in addition to my psychologist registration in Australia, completing a Diploma in Community Services in 2020, where I studied the Australian community services system and had the opportunity to complete placements as a case manager in the disability sector and youth services. Additionally, I also worked as a disability support worker for several years, which gave me knowledge and understanding of how to support clients in their goals.
Tell us about something you’ve recently focused on or learned more about as a registered psychologist.
I love to improve my skills, and I have recently been focusing on increasing my knowledge in relation to trauma. I have been studying the effects of early childhood trauma and developing a more trauma-informed approach to my practice. I also have dreams of completing a master's degree in clinical psychology and maybe one day a PhD program in another country like Canada or in the EU.
Psychology in Brookvale, Northern Beaches
Paola, tell us about the psychology services you provide in Brookvale and throughout the Northern Beaches area?
I am based in the Northern Beaches area but I also work all over Sydney supporting clients under the NDIS to achieve their goals and increase their quality of life.
Do you work with specific diagnoses or demographics in Brookvale?
I am a registered psychologist with experience working with teenagers and their families. I also provide support to the adult population in the context of mood and personality disorders; behavioural issues and adaptive challenges.
Where do you provide psychology services in the Northern Beaches and lower North Shore?
I am a community-based registered psychologist, and the NDIS scope of practice allows me to visit clients at their homes or available spaces in the community. I am also available to provide online therapy when possible.
I can travel throughout the Northern Beaches and to a number of suburbs in the upper and lower North Shore, supporting individuals in suburbs such as Brookvale, Allambie Heights, Dee Why, North Manly, Frenchs Forest, Forestville, Killarney Heights, North Curl Curl, Narraweena, Cromer, Narrabeen, Belrose, Terry Hills, Mosman, Chatswood and more.
As a Registered Psychologist in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, how can you potentially help NDIS participants who are transitioning from hospital?
I have experience and skills in supporting clients with psychosocial disabilities, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and the vulnerabilities that those diagnoses can bring to a participant's life such as drug use, family issues and social isolation. I am also a behaviour support practitioner passionate about connecting with my clients and supporting them to make adjustments so they can live fully in the community.
If NDIS participants would like to get started with psychology services in Brookvale, what can they expect from you and Ability Consultants?
I like to speak to clients so we can discuss their goals and interests. Then we can collaboratively create a plan of action, individually tailored to support them and integrate the plan with their existing support system.
How to get started with NDIS psychology services in Brookvale, NSW
Make a referral for NDIS psychology services in Brookvale
If you’re an NDIS participant and you are interested in psychology support in Brookvale, or throughout the Northern Beaches or Sydney’s North Shore, please make a referral here on our website.
Need more information about psychology support in Brookvale?
Please feel welcome to get in touch if you have any questions, by using our contact form or calling our team on 1300 694 625.
You might also benefit from:
- Interview with Alex Bell, Registered Psychologist Northern Beaches
- NDIS funding and psychology
- What to expect from psychology as an NDIS participant
About Ability Consultants
Ability Consultants is a team of over 130 behaviour support practitioners and psychologists, located throughout Australia. We create freedom and social connection through easy access to Positive Behaviour Support.
Please feel welcome to view more information about the work we do and about our team:
Virtual 
In-person
