Catherine Macharia

Catherine Macharia is a psychologist registered with AHPRA in Australia with five years of professional experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and depression. She also helps people who are adjusting to major life changes and questioning what matters next. Catherine offers straightforward, person-centred conversations. She listens to what is happening now and helps people sort through the immediate problems that make daily life harder. Sessions focus on practical steps to manage symptoms, rebuild confidence and find clearer priorities after loss or big transitions. Her background includes working with issues linked to attachment, communication problems, guilt and shame, and women’s issues. Catherine also has experience supporting people on the autism spectrum, including those who identify with Asperger Syndrome, when those differences affect coping and relationships. She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to what each person needs in the moment. That means trying short, practical strategies in session and reviewing what helps most between meetings. The work is collaborative - Catherine and the client decide the pace and next steps together. Catherine speaks English, Kikuyu and Swahili. She acknowledges that starting therapy can feel difficult and offers clear guidance about how to begin. To start, people answer a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment.

Online approaches and how they help

Evidence-based techniques often focus on skills that change how someone thinks and behaves. Cognitive strategies work by identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and practising alternative ways of thinking to reduce anxiety and low mood. They help with day-to-day symptoms and clearer decision-making during transitions. Behavioural or activity-focused techniques encourage small, manageable changes in routine and behaviour. These methods can rebuild motivation, improve sleep and lift mood by restoring a sense of control after loss or during midlife shifts. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Catherine will discuss options with each person and adapt methods based on needs, goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where they review what helps and adjust the plan together. Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting appointments around work and family commitments and reducing travel time. If you need a shorter check-in or prefer not to use video, confirm available formats before booking as current session options are provided during the matching process. Online sessions can make it easier to maintain regular contact while deciding which techniques suit everyday life best.