Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, Provisional Psychologist (Australia) and Counselling Psychologist (UK) in Sydney. With over 10 years of clinical experience, I offer individual and couple therapy in both Australia and the UK. I also specialise in writing, workshop delivery and public speaking.

My name is Dr Julian-Pascal Saadi. I am an individual and couple therapist based in Sydney, but offering therapy to clients in both Australia and the UK.

I am trained to interweave different therapeutic approaches (CBT, Psychodynamic, Person-Centred, Existential, Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy) so that the work fits your specific emotional needs. Sessions can be short or long-term, structured or unstructured, depending on what you are looking for.

I use an approach which pays close attention to the more hidden parts of the mind: the parts of us sitting beneath the surface yet driving 90% of what we think, feel and do. In the context of couple therapy, these hidden parts have a big role in maintaining difficult relationship dynamics.

Rather than focusing on developing tools to cope with symptoms alone, my approach looks at the underlying patterns shaping emotional life, relationships and sense of self. It aims to get to the root cause of people's difficulties.

For more information about the story behind my practice, please click here.

Some of the reasons people come and see me include:

Repeating familiar patterns in relationships
Communication issues between partners
Infidelity and betrayals of trust
Divorce and separation
Problems with intimacy and sex
Self-sabotage
Struggles with 'coming out' if LGBTQIA+
Feeling disconnected, empty, or 'misaligned'
Grief that feels ongoing
Emotional trauma from childhood

For a longer list of the kinds of 'clinical issues' I work with, please see the section called "Areas of Focus"

To book an appointment, click here.

The mind is like a house: it has a structure, it is decorated in particular ways and it is populated by different figures. My approach aims to identify, explore and repair outdated internal structures, kind of like a renovation.

Areas of Focus

Clinical concerns

Abuse
Addiction
Adjustment to physical health issues
Anxiety
Body-dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Burnout
Chem-sex
Depression
Existential crisis
Gender conflicts
Grief
HIV/AIDS
Identity issues

Issues to do with inherited wealth
Low self-esteem and self-worth
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Out of control sexual behaviour
Panic attacks
Personality difficulties
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Relationship difficulties
Sexuality conflicts
Sex problems
Trauma

Personal Growth

You may not be struggling with common symptoms of psychological distress, but you may still be committed to exploring your mind and developing it to further your potential.

My approach aims to do just that. It encourages a deep level of engagement with the unconscious mind, equipping people with the tools to develop a new way of thinking. This kind of work is highly suitable for those who are invested in working on themselves in the service of moving towards their life goals.

The level of psychological engagement encouraged by psychodynamic work tends to result in people feeling more able to disrupt patterns that no longer serve them over time (including those that lead to self-sabotage), and make choices that are more aligned with their ambitions. The process can be emotionally difficult, but rewarding at the same time.

For more information on how thinking psychodynamically is different to everyday thinking, click here.