About Joe

Therapy with me is collaborative and action-oriented - understanding what's keeping you stuck, then helping you move toward what matters, at a pace that works for you.

I'm a psychologist and clinical psychology registrar, and I divide my week between private and public health settings.

On Mondays I see clients at my private practice in Brookvale (Northern Beaches, Sydney), either in person or Telehealth (online).

I draw on a range of therapies, including Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to tailor an approach that fits you, rather than a one-size-fits-all formula.

Schema Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills Motivational Interviewing CBT-Insomnia

Joe Walkden, psychologist in Brookvale, Northern Beaches Sydney

How I can help

Areas of practice

Support across a broad range of concerns, for adults (18+).

Anxiety disorders

Including panic attacks, OCD, specific phobias, social anxiety, generalised anxiety (GAD), health anxiety, and derealisation/depersonalisation, along with sleep difficulties (including insomnia).

Depression & low mood

Including persistent low mood, loss of motivation and the patterns that keep them going.

Trauma

PTSD and complex trauma, worked through at a pace that feels safe and contained.

Relationships & life transitions

Recurring patterns in emotions, identity and relationships that feel hard to shift, including personality disorders — plus big decisions, life transitions and feeling stuck.

Addiction

A non-judgemental space for addiction, including drug, alcohol and technology - a core area of my clinical work.

Chronic pain & health conditions

Adjusting to chronic pain, ongoing health conditions and life-limiting illness, along with the emotional weight they carry.

Sensory & body-focused difficulties

Support for misophonia, tinnitus-related distress, dizziness and vertigo, and body-focused repetitive behaviours like skin-picking and hair-pulling.

ADHD, autism & neurodivergence

Neuro-affirming support for ADHD, autism and executive functioning - working with how your mind works, not against it.

Good to know

Common questions

Do I need a referral to see you?

No - you're welcome to book without one. However, if you'd like to access Medicare rebates, you'll need a valid GP referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which your GP can prepare in a longer appointment.

Do you offer Telehealth?

Yes. I see clients in person at my Brookvale rooms on Mondays, and I also offer secure video Telehealth sessions to clients across Australia, which many people find just as effective and more convenient.

What happens in a first session?

The first session is mostly about understanding what has brought you in and what you're hoping for. There's no pressure to share more than you're comfortable with. Together we'll get a sense of what's going on and start shaping an approach that suits you.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies from person to person and depends on what you're working on. Some people come for a short, focused piece of work; others prefer something longer term. We'll talk openly about this and review it as we go.

What are your fees?

Sessions are $260 each. With a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, a Medicare rebate of $101.55 per session applies, leaving an out-of-pocket gap of $158.45. You're welcome to ask any questions about fees and rebates when you make an enquiry.

Background & training

I hold a Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours) from UNSW and a Master of Clinical Psychology (High Distinction) from UTS. My research across both degrees focused on substance and alcohol use - how it develops and how people recover - work that continues to inform my approach to behaviour change and relapse prevention.

Before moving into psychology, I spent 15 years in corporate leadership roles at Microsoft, specialising in marketing and product management, where much of my focus was supporting teams and individuals to get the most out of their potential. That experience informs a practical, down-to-earth manner alongside clinical depth.

Referring a patient (for GPs and other health professionals)

Fax — (02) 8531 3104
Email — contact.jwalkden@gmail.com
Phone — 0495 003 688

You can also print or email a referral for your patient to bring to their first session.

Once a referral's received, you'll get an update after the first session (including psychometrics and a proposed treatment plan), then progress summaries at the 6 and 10-session mark. I'm always happy to discuss a shared patient by phone or email.

In an emergency

This website and practice do not provide crisis or emergency services, and enquiries are not monitored 24/7. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

For free, confidential support available 24/7:

Lifeline — 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
13YARN — 13 92 76 (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
NSW Mental Health Line — 1800 011 511

Compassionate, evidence-based therapy for a range of concerns.

At a glance