Tarryn Sheehan
Tarryn is a highly skilled Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with children, young people, adults and families across a range government, non-government and private settings. Tarryn has extensive experience working with all ages and stages of development and has worked in Cairns, Broome and across regional Victoria.
Tarryn is passionate about providing trauma focused and attachment based psychological assessment and intervention. She works with presenting concerns such as trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodivergent individuals and parenting support.
She has experience facilitating evidence based programs with parents and adults including Circle of Security, Incredible Years, drug and alcohol, behaviour change and relationship based programs. Tarryn has also facilitated programs for children with a focus on mindfulness, emotion regulation and social and emotional development.
Tarryn has an empathic and playful approach to her work. She loves using play to develop skills and relationships. She also enjoys incorporating movement, sensory regulation and nature into her sessions. Tarryn aims to provide a neuroaffirming approach. Tarryn’s work is underpinned by evidence-based therapeutic approaches including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma and attachment theory.
Tarryn has recently completed her accredited supervisor training and is an AHPRA registered supervisor for the 5+1 registration pathway.
Tarryn is welcoming new referrals for children and teens up to age 15. A current waitlist is in place. Please contact administration staff for further details.
Matthew Sheehan
Matthew has 14 years of experience working as a psychologist. He commenced his career in Cairns developing knowledge and experience in a range of drug and alcohol and mental health services and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in remote Aboriginal communities.
Matthew has recently returned to the Cairns area after spending the last eight years in Victoria working in public mental health services with adults and children before starting in private practice.
Matthew works with people across the lifespan but has a particular interest in working with childhood anxiety, emotion regulation delays, trauma and neurodivergent individuals (autism, intellectual impairment, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Matthew also offers cognitive assessments for all ages and autism specific assessment (eg., ADOS-2) in collaboration with your referring peadiatrician/psychiatrist.
Matthew adopts a calm, relaxed, playful and purposeful approach to practice. Matthew draws from a range of therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
In his spare time Matthew enjoys being in the outdoors camping with his wife and two young children and trying (usually unsuccessfully) to catch a fish.
Matthew is welcoming new referrals for children and teens up to age 15. A current waitlist is in place. Please contact administration staff for further details.
Christina
Christina is our remote administration assistant. You will talk to her on the phone and over email but probably never see her face because she lives on the Sunshine Coast!
Coco!
At Embrace Psychology we're always looking for ways to enhance the therapeutic experience for our clients, and we're thrilled to introduce a very special member of our team—Coco! Our therapy dog in training!
Coco is a Cavoodle with an excited demeanour, gentle nature and a warm and fluffy coat that just invites a friendly pat. Coco was born on 17th November 2023 and has just started her training to become a therapy dog. She's learning everything from basic obedience to more specialised skills, such as recognising and responding to emotional cues. Cavoodles are quick learners, and Coco is no exception—her keen intelligence and eagerness to connect makes her ideal for this important role.
Coco’s Role: The presence of a therapy dog like Coco in a therapeutic setting can transform the atmosphere, offering a sense of calm, comfort, and unconditional acceptance. Research has consistently shown that interactions with a therapy dog can decrease stress and anxiety levels, lower blood pressure, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Coco's training is focused on harnessing her natural empathy and teaching her how to interact with clients in a way that supports their therapeutic journey. Whether it's greeting you with a wagging tail at the door or sitting by your side during a session, Coco is here to offer a paw of support.
Spending Time with Coco: Coco will start coming into the office in May, ready to offer a warm welcome and a soft cuddle to those who'd like it. We understand and respect that not everyone is comfortable around dogs or may have allergies, so interactions with Coco are entirely at your discretion and with your comfort in mind.