Belinda Thurlow
Psychotherapist
Welcome.
My clinical practice is informed by relational psychoanalytic and contemporary psychodynamic theories, alongside trauma-informed approaches. I also draw on other evidence-based frameworks, including Music Therapy, where appropriate and responsive to an individual’s needs.
An important aspect of this work involves developing a deeper understanding of emotions and their origins - supporting individuals not only in alleviating symptoms, but in addressing the underlying patterns that may limit fulfilment.
The aim is to foster greater self-understanding, new perspectives, healthier ways of relating to oneself and others, and a more meaningful and satisfying life. I see therapy as a space where patterns can be explored with care, understood more deeply, and gradually shifted within a safe and trusting connection.
I offer 50min sessions in person at West End, Brisbane.
Telehealth may also be an option.
Areas of focus
I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional, relational, or trauma/mental health-related difficulties.
- Developing a more stable sense of self and inner experience
- Understanding, tolerance and integration of difficult emotions
- Alleviating chronic and pervasive symptoms of mental health related to anxiety, depression, trauma (early attachment relationships, sexual) or mood/personality
- Understanding and changing patterns in relationships, including difficulties with trust, closeness, boundaries, rejection, or abandonment
- Making sense of behaviour and coping strategies that are harmful to you and maybe others (self harm, substance use, over working, avoidance or aggression
Many of the experiences above can overlap and are often rooted in earlier relational or traumatic experiences. As such, I offer short or long term therapy. Short term can be effective, but I specialise in longer term therapy where complex or long standing issues haven't shifted enough for you.
Experience
My path into therapy has been guided by a genuine curiosity about people and the many ways we come to understand ourselves. As a young person, I was drawn to experiences that took me beyond the familiar—these experiences broadened my perspective and deepened my ability to sit with complexity, uncertainty, and difference.
I have 15+ years experience working as a therapist. Starting in child and adult disability settings using Music Therapy before I moved into an integrative approach that combines Psychotherapy with music therapy. I now primarily offer Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with adults.
My 6+ experience in positive behaviour support reinforces a belief that continues to guide my practice: all behaviour is a form of communication. When we take time to understand the needs beneath behaviour, more compassionate and effective pathways for change often emerge.
Alongside my clinical work, I bring 14 years of experience in executive and organisational leadership.
More on Psychodynamic and Music Therapy
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a conversational and relational approach that explores how experiences, relationships, and emotions — including those outside conscious awareness — can shape the way we understand ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. It is grounded in the understanding that meaningful change develops through a genuine, collaborative conversation—one that pays close attention to what is happening between us in the present moment.
Rather than focusing only on past experiences from a distance, we also gently explore how thoughts, feelings, and relational patterns appear and unfold within the therapy session itself. In doing so, we begin to notice important patterns in how you experience emotions, relate to others, and make sense of yourself.
As these connections become clearer, many people experience a greater sense of coherence, emotional flexibility, and self-understanding.
Music Therapy
Alongside talking therapy, creative arts can be integrated where helpful. When applied in therapy, these offer another way of exploring your inner world, particularly when experiences are difficult to express in words. As I'm trained in Music Therapy, this may include:
- reflecting on music that feels meaningful to you
- noticing the emotions, memories, or associations that certain songs evoke
- exploring music that “sticks” or lingers, and what it might be communicating
- occasionally using song writing or other forms of creative expression to process experience
- actively engaging in music making
For some, they deepen the therapeutic process by opening up new ways of connecting with thoughts and feelings that can otherwise be hard to access.
Qualification and training
Core Qualifications
- Master’s in Creative Music Therapy – Western Sydney University
- Current Training: The Conversational Model of Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy – ANZAP
Specialist Clinical Training
- Neurological Music Therapy – Centre for Neurological Music Therapy
- Working Therapeutically with Complex Trauma – Blue Knot Foundation
- Trauma, Attachment and Neuroscience – Byron Clinics (short course)
- Understanding Dissociation and How to Work with It – Eise Education
- Adult Intellectual Disability Mental Health Program – NSW Health
Behavioural & Organisational Practice
- Proficient Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner – Ability Consultants
- Empowering Leadership Coach – Priacta
Professional Memberships
- Australian and New Zealand Association for Psychotherapy (ANZAP)
- Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
- International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP)
- Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia (BSPA)
