Sarah Lok is a Clinical Psychologist with more than two decades of experience, including extensive work in the tertiary education sector supporting young adults through a wide range of psychological, academic, and life challenges. She also has a background working with older children and families, offering support across a range of presentations including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), exam and performance anxiety, low mood, eating disorders, and difficulties with emotional regulation. She has experience supporting young people facing school-related stress, perfectionism, and adjustment challenges, tailoring her approach to meet each client’s individual needs and developmental stage. Sarah has also provided support to parents facing challenges in their parenting roles, and has published research in this area, with a particular focus on attachment and maternal mental health.

Sarah’s approach is informed by reflective practice and a commitment to ongoing learning. She has a thoughtful and responsive style, grounded in evidence-based care. Sarah has extensive experience working with risk and complexity, bringing trauma awareness and sensitivity when working with clients from diverse and complex backgrounds. Her approach emphasises the therapeutic relationship and is supported by evidence-based interventions including Scheme Therapy, CBT, ACT and DBT skills and trauma-responsive frameworks.

Sarah also brings extensive experience as a board-approved supervisor, having supervised clinical psychologists, psychologists, registrars and provisional psychologists. Her work has involved close collaboration with other health professionals, ensuring safe, coordinated care for clients with complex presentations.

Sarah sees adults and older adolescents at NorthPsych and is available for clinical supervision.

Registrations

• Sarah is registered to provide clinical psychology services with Medicare

• Full registration and clinical endorsement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

• Board-approved supervisor

Publications

• Lok, S. M., & McMahon, C. A. (2006). Mothers’ thoughts about their children: Links between mind-mindedness and emotional availability. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 24, 477-488.

• Ernst, S., & McMahon, C. (2004). The impact of maternal depression on maternal mind-mindedness and emotional availability during interaction with preschoolers. (Abstract). Australian Journal of Psychology, 57, 181.

Sarah is available for face-to-face and telehealth appointments at our Lindfield location on Saturdays.