Ms Heidi Sumich

Heidi Sumich is a clinical psychologist who sees adults and older adolescents. She has particular expertise in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She is experienced in the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), mindfulness based cognitive therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy, and also utilises some schema therapy approaches with more complex emotional problems. Heidi believes that good clinical care involves the combination of high level education and practical experience, along with a warm, respectful and nurturing interpersonal style.

Heidi completed her Honours Degree in Psychology at the University of New South Wales in 1992 before undertaking research at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders at St Vincent’s Hospital. During this time she co-authored a mental health text book funded by the World Health Organisation called “The Management of Mental Disorders”. This textbook is now in its fourth edition and is used in training programs across the world. Heidi then returned to university full time for another two years to complete her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney. After graduating in 1997 she worked in a public community mental health centre where she worked predominantly with people who had schizophrenia and severe mood and anxiety disorders. Since 1998 Heidi has worked solely in private practice, combining her time between clinical work, business management and motherhood. From 2008-2010 Heidi was an executive member of the NSW Section of the Australian Psychology Society College of Clinical Psychologists.

Heidi says, “It’s an extraordinary privilege to have complete strangers talk about their most personal and distressing experiences. I try to honour that trust with respect and a strong determination to help them overcome whatever it is that has sent them in my direction. A good dose of shared humour where appropriate also goes a long way towards normalising difficult life experiences and providing a new sense of hope and perspective.”