

Dr Stefanie De Silva (she/her)
BA(Hons.), DPsych(Clin), MAAPi
Stefanie completed a Bachelor's degree with Honours in Psychology at the University of Melbourne in 2006 and was awarded the Doctor of Psychology at Deakin University in 2015. She has advanced training in the specialist area of Clinical Psychology and is endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA.
Prior to establishing her own private practice, Stefanie spent several years working across public health, academic research, and higher education. With experience as a Senior Lecturer, Research Fellow, and Clinical Educator, she brings a depth of expertise to her consultations.
Stefanie works with young people and adults experiencing significant life transitions. These may include navigating challenges related to identity, adulthood, career development, relationships, the perinatal period and parenthood, as well as living with significant medical conditions. Stefanie has a particular interest in supporting the wellbeing of medical practitioners, including medical students. She recognises the significant demands and challenges of a career in healthcare, as well as the barriers that can make seeking support difficult. CLINICIAN Stefanie has worked clinically in mental health since 2010. She has been a psychologist at several major hospitals across Victoria, including in the areas of haematology, bone marrow transplant, late effects, head and neck cancer, breast services, nephrology, and perinatal mental health. Stefanie has supported clients with challenges like depression, anxiety, perfectionism, self-harm and suicidal ideation, grief, trauma, bullying and discrimination, psychosis, and borderline personality disorder, and with clients to respond to major life events like chronic or acute health conditions, parenthood, or terminal illnesses. Stefanie is trained in: - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Circle of Security (registered facilitator) - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Mindfulness-Based Interventions - Motivational Interviewing - Solution-Focused Brief Therapy RESEARCH FELLOW & CLINICAL EDUCATOR With expertise in evidence synthesis and research translation in mental health, Stefanie's scholarly works have been published in well-regarded, peer-reviewed scientific journals. Stefanie has also contributed to large-scale initiatives towards evidence-based practice in Australia. She coordinated the world's largest evidence map of mental health interventions for young people, provided consultation on mental health models (including the headspace model), and has delivered training to medical and allied health professionals. Stefanie has authored several evidence-based clinical resources like clinical factsheets, research bulletins, and clinical practice guides. These resources were commissioned by the Commonwealth government to up-skill the clinical workforce, and have been disseminated widely across Australia. ACADEMIC As a university Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer with expertise in adult learning principles, Stefanie has taught medical, allied health, and education professionals at the post-graduate level. She developed and lectured in courses on managing suicide and self-harm and youth psychiatriatry, and collaborated with RANZCP on their advanced training program. The latter opportunity teaching and supporting Psychiatry Registrars and Consultants contributed to a professional interest working with medical professionals. Stefanie most recently led the wellbeing support of medical students at a Melbourne clinical school. In this role, she collaborated closely with senior doctors, developed medical student wellbeing, suicide, and crisis response policies, collaborated on cross-institutional research aimed at improving inclusivity in medical education, and provided mental health support and coaching to medical students in their final years of training.


Stefanie's consulting room is located in Kensington, 4 km north-west of Melbourne's CBD.
Telehealth is available and is end-to-end encrypted for enhanced security and privacy. Please ensure you have access to a quiet space, with a reliable internet connection.
You do not need a referral to make an appointment.
Fees
Standard 50-minute appointment: $250
Afterhours and weekend surcharge: $25
If you are a medical student and are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Stefanie to discuss a reduced rate.
If the cost to work with a private clinical psychologist is prohibitive, health professionals and students can access up to 5 free sessions with a mental health professional at the Black Dog Institute.
Rebates
Medicare rebates are available with a valid referral from a GP*, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. You will receive a rebate of $145.25 per session, for up to 10 individual sessions with Stefanie per calendar year.
*Referrals from a GP require a Mental Health Treatment Plan, completed in consultation with your GP.
24/7 free and confidential advice and support for doctors and medical students in Australia.
1300 374 377
National Mental Telehealth Support for crisis and non-urgent mental health support.
State/Territory-based telephone health advisory and support services staffed by doctors from your Doctors' Health Service.
Select your location to view the contact details for your state or territory.
Free, confidential and independent peer support for healthcare workers
Be matched with a doctor who has been trained as a peer support volunteer.
Meet online or in-person.
One-on-one or group peer support.
1300 330 543; vdhp@vdhp.org.au
For doctors and medical students in Victoria.
Free, confidential advisory service for wellbeing concerns such as stress, mental health questions, substance use struggles, or physical health issues.
VDHP also runs Caduceus – an online support group for doctors with substance use issues.
Free, self-guided online mental health checkup.
You can use the insights from this report to initiate discussions with your GP or Stefanie.
Health professionals and students can access up to 5 free and confidential clinical consultations at the TEN clinic.
Stefanie is not able to provide a crisis service. If you are in Australia and need immediate support for the psychological or physical safety of yourself or someone else, please contact Emergency Services on 000 (triple zero), or present to the nearest hospital emergency department.
24/7 support services
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
DRS4DRS: 1300 374 377

