Justine Dekaro Psychologist Headshot Paddington NSW

Hi there, I’m Justine.

I’m a registered psychologist who is passionate about helping people understand themselves more deeply and create lives that feel calmer, more meaningful and genuinely aligned with who they are.

I work with many women who have spent years feeling like they should be coping better. On the outside they often appear capable, successful and high functioning, but underneath they're carrying the constant mental load of overthinking, self-doubt, perfectionism and trying to keep everything together. Many are navigating anxiety, burnout or periods of low mood, or are beginning to recognise that ADHD or autism may help explain why life has always felt more exhausting than it seems to for other people.

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Why can't I just get started?", "Why do I always overthink everything?" or "Why do I keep getting in my own way?", you're not alone. Together we'll make sense of the patterns behind those experiences with compassion rather than self-criticism. My goal is to help you better understand how your mind works, strengthen your confidence, manage emotions more effectively and develop practical strategies that work with your brain, not against it.

I also enjoy supporting women through the transition to motherhood, a time that can bring enormous joy alongside identity shifts, overwhelm and pressure to do it all. You're always welcome to bring your baby along to sessions if that helps make therapy more accessible.

Alongside individual therapy, I work with couples who want to better understand one another, strengthen communication and navigate the challenges that naturally arise in relationships. Whether you're feeling stuck in recurring patterns, adjusting to a major life change or simply wanting to reconnect, therapy can provide a space to slow down, feel heard and move forward together.

In addition to my current client work, I have 10 years' experience working as a psychologist in high-performance corporate environments. I understand the pressure of juggling competing demands while quietly struggling underneath. That experience sparked a deep interest in the relationship between achievement, identity and wellbeing, and why so many of us learn to measure our worth through what we accomplish and how productive we are, rather than who we are underneath it all.

My approach is neuro-affirming, collaborative and grounded in curiosity. I enjoy exploring how early relationships, attachment patterns and life experiences continue to shape the way we think, feel and relate to ourselves and others today. Alongside making sense of the past, we'll focus on building practical tools that help you move towards a life that feels more connected to your values, rather than driven by anxiety, perfectionism or fear of getting it wrong.

I also have a particular interest in the psychology of money and financial wellbeing. Money is rarely just about numbers. It's influenced by our experiences, beliefs, emotions and relationships. Whether you're struggling with spending, saving, financial anxiety or feeling stuck in patterns that don't reflect your values, I work with individuals and couples to better understand what's underneath those behaviours so they can make decisions with greater confidence and intention.

Outside of the therapy room, you'll usually find me exploring Sydney with my young daughter, catching up with family and friends over good coffee and good food, heading to the gym, or diving into whatever topic has captured my curiosity lately. At the moment, that's all things parenting. I'm also a big fan of a good true crime podcast and will happily unwind with reality TV after a busy week (sometimes a little low-stakes drama is exactly what's needed!).

Finding the right psychologist is important, and therapy works best when you feel it's a good fit with the person you're sitting across from. If you think we might be aligned I'd love to meet you. Feel free to book a complimentary 10-minute intro call so we can chat about what's bringing you to therapy and whether working together feels right for you.

I understand the challenges of navigating appointments when you have a new baby, so please feel free to bring babies along to sessions if that makes it easier!

Some Examples of What Justine Can Support With:

  • anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and low mood 

  • stress, overthinking, and self-pressure 

  • people pleasing and boundary setting

  • career challenges or transitions 

  • major life changes such as becoming a parent or relationship changes  

  • relationship and communication challenges for couples

  • emotional and behavioural patterns shaping financial decisions, including aligning spending with personal values, building confidence around financial goals and navigating money conversations within relationships

  • high masking ADHD and Autism in adults