Definitions of Wholeness:
1. the state of forming a complete and harmonious whole; unity.
2. the state of being unbroken or undamaged.
It’s important to know that we are born whole and complete.
However, as we grow and are conditioned by the world around us, we can begin to lose touch with our wholeness and completion.
When we are young, we often experience situations that don’t make sense, or feel emotions that challenge our sense of being enough. It is at this point, that we begin our conditioning, building barriers or protections which shut parts of ourselves off, until eventually we become fragmented.
It’s human nature that as we grow, we try and fix ourselves by being better versions of ourselves, being smarter, more attractive, and more approachable. It’s easy then, to lose touch with our wholeness and we fall out of harmony, experience a feeling of brokenness, of feeling incomplete. When this is more pronounced people may experience a physical or mental illness.
The process of becoming whole again is about becoming aware of our lost (or exiled) parts and reintegrating them back into ourselves, to help us get back in touch with our wholeness.
Welcome, my name is Mary Sandilands.
I am a Clinical Psychologist.
My passion is discovering how people have come to feel “damaged’, “defective”, or “not enough” and help them to recognise their wholeness, whilst accepting their imperfections.
My therapeutic frameworks include EMDR, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy. Underpinning all my work are Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation principles and practices.
Psychology is a second career, having started out my working life within the business sector. I have now practiced psychology for over 10 years in both Melbourne and Bendigo. During this time I have worked in various leadership roles including as a Clinical Director, Acting Chief of Psychology, Senior Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor.
I work only with adults and I love the diversity of private practice, but I am particularly passionate about working with Anxiety, Adjustment/Grief, PTSD, Chronic Pain and Depression presentations.
Should you like a recommendation for a psychologist to work with children or couples, I am happy to discuss your needs with you to see if I know someone who could help.
I believe that we’re all whole and imperfect, that we don’t need to “fit in” to belong and that we need to find our own path.
I am on my own journey that includes being a mother of two young children who were IVF conceived with a friend, rather than with a partner. When I’m not focused on my work or family, I enjoy being out in nature, preferably running or cycling. I also practice living mindfully.
Education
Bachelor Business, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical), Board Approved Supervisor
