Sara Metawa Psychologist (Provisional)

Therapy with Sara My approach to therapy is calm, collaborative, grounded in curiosity, and without judgment. From our first session, we’ll take time to thoughtfully explore your experiences and needs. This may include looking at your emotions, relationships, health, environment, or broader life circumstances. I believe therapy is most effective when it’s practical, meaningful, and responsive to where you are in life. While therapy can be a challenging journey, I’m here to walk alongside you. My priority is to ensure you feel supported, that our sessions are purposeful and centred on what matters most in the moment. Sara's Qualifications & Experience Sara is a Provisional Psychologist undertaking her final placement at The READ Clinic. She is currently completing her Master's in Clinical Psychology at the Institute for Social Neuroscience. She is in her seventh year of study and will be awarded full registration by the end of 2025.  Sara previously completed a Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie University, an Advanced Graduate Diploma at Monash University, graduating with Second Class Honours (Division A). Sara is also a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association. Sara has experience working across a variety of settings, including community clinics, private practice, and schools. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults presenting with a range of presentations, including mood disorders, self-harm, ADHD, autism, alcohol and drug-related issues, and supporting individuals navigating complex family dynamics. She delivers therapy using evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in both individual and group formats. Sara’s professional background provides her with a unique appreciation for the client journey, including an understanding of the barriers to accessible care. She is committed to delivering respectful, inclusive, and compassionate psychological support. Throughout diverse stages of her training, she has worked alongside senior psychologists and directors at The READ Clinic, gaining valuable insight from leaders in the field. Sara is experienced in conducting cognitive and behavioural assessments and works collaboratively with parents, teachers, and multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic, individualised care. She has a special interest in developmental psychology and trauma-informed practice for children and adolescents. Research and Publications Sara is currently conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of Mindlight, a neurofeedback-based video game designed to reduce anxiety in children and adolescents. Her research critically examines the intervention’s effectiveness by analysing underlying therapeutic mechanisms (e.g., EEG neurofeedback, attention bias modification), and the methodological quality of existing studies. By addressing gaps in the evidence base and evaluating claims that position game-based therapies as alternatives to traditional CBT, her work aims to advance understanding of the clinical utility, limitations, and future potential of digital mental health interventions for young people. Her research is currently being developed for peer-reviewed publication.