Willow Oak Psychology

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Stafford, QLD
Willow Oak Psychology

Willow Oak Psychology provides a range of behaviour support services within both individual and group environments.

Established in Brisbane by Dr Sarah Swannell, Willow Oak Psychology is recognised as a leader in dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Willow Oak Psychology was founded by Dr Sarah Swannell. Sarah commenced her psychology career as a Senior Researcher in the Discipline of Psychiatry at The University of Queensland. She commenced clinical work in 2007, achieved full registration as a psychologist in 2009, completed a PhD in 2013, and earned a Master of Clinical Psychology in 2020. Sarah has 14 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings, including private practice, community mental health, acute inpatient and private psychiatric hospitals.

16/01/2026

Strong emotions come with urges to avoid, withdraw, lash out or hide, but following those urges doesn’t always help the emotion pass.

Opposite Action is a DBT skill that helps you respond differently when emotions are intense or unhelpful, by choosing behaviour that supports long-term change, not short-term relief.

We’ve broken this skill down in our latest blog, check it out (link in bio).

14/01/2026

Release what you’re holding.
Make space for what’s coming. 🤍

11/01/2026

Your emotions don’t need fixing — they need care.
Like a garden, your inner world grows when you tend to it without judgment.

What’s one small way you can tend to your emotional garden today? 🌿

09/01/2026

If you’ve ever wondered why some days feel overwhelming and other days feel numb , you’re not broken.

The window of tolerance helps explain how our nervous system responds to stress, trauma, and the demands of everyday life. When we’re outside this window, it can feel hard to think clearly, feel connected, or cope in the ways we want to.

In therapy, we work with the nervous system to gradually widen this window, helping you build more capacity to sit with emotions, respond rather than react, and feel more like yourself again.

Therapy isn’t about forcing calm. It’s about building that capacity, at your pace.

07/01/2026

Recovery and progress both require pauses. If you feel guilty for resting, that's often a sign your system needs it the most.

04/01/2026

Mindful walking turns a simple daily activity into a grounding practice. You don't need a quiet forest or extra time, just a few intentional steps wherever you are.

02/01/2026

Perfectionism can feel like it's pushing you forward, but often it's holding you back.
Our latest blog explores how perfectionism shows up and how DBT can help you break free from it. https://willowoak.com.au/dbt-for-perfectionism/

31/12/2025

New year, same compassion for yourself. You don't need to be a different person; just keep showing up.

28/12/2025

As we step into 2026, what's one mindful practice you want to bring with you?

26/12/2025

Understanding how you communicate is the first step to building healthier relationships. DBT's interpersonal effectiveness skills teach you how to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and maintain your self-respect while keeping relationships intact. Which style sounds most like you?

24/12/2025

The holidays can bring pressure to create picture-perfect memories, but connection happens in the real, unpolished moments too. 🎄

21/12/2025

The holidays can feel rushed and overwhelming, but they're also full of opportunities for mindfulness. Pick a present and transform holiday stress into connection. 🎁✨

Address

4/21 Windorah Street
Stafford, QLD
4053

Website

https://willowoak.com.au/

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