Ballina & Lennox Head, Northern Rivers
A psychologist close to Ballina — and online, wherever you are
Depth-focused therapy for adults in Ballina, Lennox Head, and across the Northern Rivers. In-person at Kingscliff and via telehealth from wherever you are.
Book a ConsultationWho this is for
Therapy for people who are functioning well on the outside
Many people who find their way to Sweetnam Psychology are managing life competently — work, relationships, responsibilities. On the surface, things look fine. But underneath, something isn't quite right. There's a flatness, a persistent anxiety, a sense of going through the motions, or a pattern that keeps repeating no matter how hard you try to change it.
Ballina and Lennox Head are growing communities with increasingly limited access to specialist mental health services. Waitlists at local practices are long. Telehealth has made it possible to access high-quality, evidence-based psychology without the wait — or the drive.
The quiet burnout
You're holding everything together externally. Internally, you feel depleted, foggy, and disconnected from yourself and the people around you.
The same loop, again
Different circumstances, same emotional place. You can see the pattern clearly — you just can't seem to break it from the inside.
Therapy that didn't go deep enough
You've done the work before — CBT, strategies, journaling. It helped a little. But something underneath didn't shift.
A life transition
A move, a relationship ending, new parenthood, a loss. The old tools aren't working anymore, and you're not sure what to reach for.
The approach
Therapy that works with what's actually happening — not just how to manage it
Taylor Sweetnam is a clinical psychologist and published researcher working with adults in Ballina, Lennox Head, and across the Northern Rivers — in person at the Kingscliff clinic, and via telehealth Australia-wide.
The approach is grounded in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) — an evidence-based method that looks beneath the presenting symptoms to the emotional patterns driving them. This isn't about managing your anxiety or low mood. It's about understanding what's underneath, and changing it at the root.
Taylor works with a deliberately small caseload, which means consistent, focused attention across the full course of treatment.
The most powerful therapeutic experience is the corrective one: being able to reveal oneself and be met with understanding and acceptance.— Irvin D. Yalom
Serving Ballina & surrounds
Accessible to patients across the Northern Rivers
The Kingscliff clinic is approximately 40 minutes north of Ballina via the Pacific Highway. For many Ballina patients, telehealth is the more practical option — equally effective for most presentations and available from home, the office, or anywhere with a reliable connection.
Nearby areas served
Getting started
What to expect when you reach out
New patients are invited to book an initial session, which runs for 50 minutes. There's no obligation to continue — it's a chance to meet, to talk about what's brought you to therapy, and for both of you to get a sense of whether this is the right fit.
Medicare rebates are available for eligible patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. DVA funding is also accepted. Evening and weekend appointments are available. Full details on the fees and rebates page.
In-person
Kingscliff clinic — approx. 40 min from Ballina. Also available at Miami, Gold Coast.
Telehealth
Available Australia-wide. The preferred option for most Ballina patients.
Walk & Talk
Available across the Northern Rivers for those who prefer it.
After Hours
Evening and weekend appointments available in-person and via telehealth.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there a clinic in Ballina itself?
Not currently. The closest in-person clinic is in Kingscliff, approximately 40 minutes north. Most Ballina patients access sessions via telehealth, which is equally effective for most presentations and removes the travel entirely.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
No referral is needed to make an appointment. To access Medicare rebates, you'll need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP — straightforward to arrange at any appointment.
Are evening and weekend appointments available?
Yes. Evening and weekend sessions are available both in-person and via telehealth. See the after hours page for more detail.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies significantly between individuals. Some people notice meaningful change in a small number of sessions. Others find that longer-term work is what serves them. Taylor will discuss this openly as treatment progresses.
Do you accept DVA funding?
Yes. Sweetnam Psychology accepts DVA funding for eligible veterans. See the DVA page for full details.
What areas near Ballina do you serve?
Patients from Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville, Wollongbar, Lismore, Wardell, Broadwater, and surrounding areas are welcome. Telehealth is available Australia-wide.
Ready to make a start?
Book an initial session online, or reach out if you have questions before taking that step.
Book a Consultation