About Us
Dr Alex Katerdjian
Senior Clinical Psychologist
There is something quietly profound about the moment a person decides to reach out for support. It takes courage. And when you do, you deserve to know who you are trusting with that step.
My name is Alex Katerdjian. I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist based in Sydney, and I have spent the better part of two decades walking alongside people through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives. This page is my way of introducing myself — not just my credentials, but the person behind them.
My Background
I have been working as a Clinical Psychologist since 2007 — more than 18 years in private practice, public health, government agencies, and large organisational settings. That breadth of experience is not incidental. It has shaped the way I think about people, about complexity, and about what it actually means to help someone.
My career has taken me through some demanding and varied environments: from clinical work at Macquarie Psychiatric Hospital, to managing psychological services at a national rehabilitation provider, to leading clinical teams at Drake International WorkWise. I have worked within Federal and State government agencies, managed state and national psychology teams, and built and led my own private practice. Each of these roles has deepened my understanding of the human experience — and of the systems that either support or fail the people within them.
Alongside my clinical work, I hold a full-time academic appointment at Torrens University Australia, where I serve as a Lecturer and Program Coordinator for the undergraduate psychology degree. Teaching is not separate from my clinical identity — it is an extension of it. Staying at the forefront of psychological science and training the next generation of practitioners keeps my practice sharp, evidence-based, and genuinely current.
Qualifications & Training
My academic and clinical training spans multiple institutions and disciplines, reflecting a commitment to depth over breadth.
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Bachelor of Arts — Psychology
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Macquarie University
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Bachelor of Social Science
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University of New South Wales
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Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
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University of Western Sydney
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Master of Psychology (Clinical)
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Bond University
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Ph.D. in Counter-Terrorism and Deradicalization
Professional Doctorate (Applied Research)
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In progress
In progress
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Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)
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Completed
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EMDR Accreditation
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EMDR Association of Australia
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Clinical Hypnosis Accreditation
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College of Medical Hypnosis
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I am also a former Board Member of the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists and served as a Journal Editor for the Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis — roles that reflect both my commitment to the field and my engagement with the broader professional community.
How I Work
I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to psychological care. People are not diagnoses. They are individuals with histories, strengths, fears, and goals that are entirely their own.
My practice is grounded in evidence-based clinical psychology, drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to the needs of each person I work with. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps people understand and change the thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to distress.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) — an internationally recognised, evidence-based treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress, which I am formally accredited to deliver.
- Clinical Hypnosis — used as an adjunct to therapy to support relaxation, focus, and the processing of deeply held patterns of thought and behaviour.
- Solution-Focused Therapy — a forward-looking approach that centres on a person’s strengths and resources, rather than dwelling solely on problems.
What underpins all of this is a genuine belief that the therapeutic relationship matters. The research is clear on this point, and so is my experience: people heal in the context of feeling truly heard, respected, and understood. That is the environment I aim to create in every session.
Areas I Work With
Over the course of my career, I have worked with adults across a wide range of presentations. My areas of focus include:
- Anxiety and Stress — including generalised anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and the kind of chronic, low-level stress that quietly erodes quality of life.
- Trauma and PTSD — supporting people who have experienced acute or complex trauma, using evidence-based approaches including EMDR.
- Depression and Mood Disorders — working with people experiencing low mood, loss of motivation, and the weight of persistent sadness.
- Grief and Loss — accompanying people through bereavement and the many forms of loss that do not always get named as such.
- Work-Related Stress and Burnout — including occupational stress, workplace conflict, and the particular pressures faced by professionals and executives.
- Men’s Mental Health — I have a particular interest in supporting men who may find it difficult to seek help, and in creating a space where that conversation feels safe and without judgement.
- Life Transitions and Adjustment — navigating change, uncertainty, and the challenges that come with major shifts in identity, relationship, or circumstance.
- Anger Management and Conflict Resolution — developing healthier ways of managing strong emotions and interpersonal difficulties.
- Personal Development and Self-Esteem — supporting people who are not in crisis, but who want to understand themselves better and live more fully.
I also offer psychological assessments, clinical supervision for early-career psychologists, and executive coaching for professionals navigating leadership challenges.
Languages
I offer consultations in English.
A Note from Me
I became a psychologist because I believe in people. Not in an abstract sense — but in the very specific, particular sense of believing that each person who walks through my door carries something worth understanding, and that with the right support, genuine change is possible.
I have sat with people in some of their darkest moments. I have also had the privilege of watching those same people find their footing again. That is not something I take lightly.
If you are considering reaching out, I want you to know that there is no pressure, no judgement, and no expectation that you have everything figured out before you get here. You do not need to be in crisis to deserve support. You just need to be ready to take the next step.
I am here when you are.