about

philosophy

At Loom we are lit up by supporting individuals to live a rich, full, inter-connected, and meaningful life. With an emphasis on seeking wellbeing as opposed to focusing on dis-ease, our intention is to provide a holistic, grounded, evidence-based and authentic approach to therapy.

mary brennan

she | her

Clinical Psychologist

Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) | Master of Psychology (Clinical)

I understand each individual as the expert in their story and, as such, see therapy as a collaborative journey. With an un-done approach to psychological practice, our work may weave between your story and the invitation to perceive a wider perspective, with the intention of co-creating new understanding, change, processing, integration, and growth. 

While I am trained in traditional modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic, Schema, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness and attachment-informed approaches, I am also deeply committed to growth-oriented psychological practice and treatment. As such, I have undertaken further training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and Moral Injury, all of which are more recent evolutions in the trauma treatment space, each with growing evidence bases. 

I draw on experience working in mental health across hospital, community, and private practice settings, in addition to supporting clients of all ages and backgrounds, including veterans and first responders. My primary focus lies with presentations including developmental and attachment trauma, self-esteem concerns, anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, PTSD, and complex trauma.

Led by the client as expert in their life narrative, I support individuals to explore internal and external paths toward a deeper understanding of self, others, and their environment. I believe the therapeutic relationship can act as a powerful interface from which to build safety, integration, and the ability to anchor in one’s sense of Self.

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therapeutic modalities

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a practical and compassionate approach that helps you handle life’s challenges by focusing on what truly matters to you. Instead of fighting difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT teaches you how to make room for them while still taking steps toward a fulfilling and meaningful life. Through mindfulness techniques and value-based actions, ACT empowers you to break free from unhelpful patterns, so you can live more fully in the present and move forward with purpose.

  • CBT is based on the premise that our thoughts (cognitions) influence our feelings and behaviours, and that subsequent behaviours and emotions can influence our cognitions. In CBT, we work together to identify and challenge automatic, unhelpful and inaccurate thought patterns, and create opportunities for you to learn to behave in more adaptive ways.

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing is an integrative psychotherapy approach to assist with overcoming symptoms associated with PTSD. It uses bilateral stimulation (right/left eye movement, tactile or audio stimulation) while the client recalls a specific traumatic event. The process appears to ‘unblock’ dysfunctionally-stored memories allowing the client to resolve the negative & distressing feelings associated with the event.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an emerging evidence-based and experiential therapy that builds connection and resolves conflict – both within the ‘parts’ of our own psyche, and in the way we relate to others. IFS is founded on the premise that we all have an innate healing capacity, called ‘Self’. In IFS, we work together to access this resource within you.

  • Mindfulness-based practices involve training the brain to pay attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally. It’s the opposite of being on “automatic pilot” - it’s a practice-based series of techniques to help anchor clients in the “here and now” and free ourselves from automatic and unhelpful ways of thinking and acting. Over time, these practices can assist us in creating enough of a pause to choose our response in any given moment, rather than rushing into an instinctive reaction.

  • Schema-focused therapy emphasises identifying and changing maladaptive broad, pervasive beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. Schemas develop during childhood and are elaborated throughout our lifetimes. Given the compromised contexts within which they evolved, they may underlie many of the negative patterns we witness being played out again and again. The consequences of which we may feel powerless to change, thus presenting a significant barrier to a fulfilling life.

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