Justina Somal is recognised as a psychologist with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). She is an experienced Psychologist from the UK, with over 20 years of clinical practice with children, adolescents, families and adults. She achieved her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology in 2016.
Her special interests include developmental/childhood trauma, relationships and attachments, personality disorders, addiction, anxiety and depressive disorders, and neurodiversity. Justina has vast experience in completing dynamic psychological assessments. She has supervised other psychologists and multi-disciplinary teams.
Her therapeutic modality is embedded with Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Trauma Focused interventions, integrated with suitable evidence-based approaches to support clients needs and goals, which remains client-led and collaborative. Justina uses a psychodynamic lens to understand relationships and attachments. Justina has extended her clinical training in several evidence-based psychotherapies, including Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other Trauma- specific approaches, such as Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Trauma Focussed-CBT (TF-CBT), as well as other mindfulness-based approaches.
Justina is currently registered as a psychologist. She is undertaking the transitional program with AHPRA to be able to continue her career as a psychologist in Australia. Justina is a member of the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) in the UK and registered as a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Justina’s practice remains within the best interest of her clients and works with individuals with the most suitable modality to support their needs and personal growth.
Justina is very much looking forward to practicing in Australia. She is interested in how psychology practice and delivery is facilitated in this part of the world, and integrating her own expertise. In her personal life, she enjoys her own mindfulness practices, including meditation, keeping active, and enjoys most activities that invite personal growth. She is also a dedicated mother to twin boys.