Alia Palethorpe is a psychologist based in St Leonards, on Sydney’s North Shore. She works from the North Shore Private Hospital Maternity Unit (Level 2, Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065), where sessions are set up to feel calm and steady. For many people, getting support can feel a bit daunting at first. The aim is to make it simpler and more practical, step by step.
Alia offers individual therapy sessions for adults and people going through tough changes, stress, or other mental health concerns. At times that might look like help to make sense of what’s happening, sort out worries, and work out what to do next. In many cases, therapy is also about learning skills you can use day to day, not just talking about things for an hour and then going home.
She also provides couples counseling. Relationship strain can build slowly, and then suddenly it feels like everything is harder than it needs to be. Sessions can help partners talk more clearly, notice patterns that keep repeating, and find ways to work through conflict without it taking over the whole relationship.
Family therapy is another part of her work. When one person is struggling, it often affects everyone at home. Family sessions can make space for different views, improve communication, and help families find calmer ways to respond to problems as they come up.
Alia also runs group therapy. Groups can be helpful when you feel like you’re the only one dealing with a certain issue. Being around others who understand can reduce the feeling of being alone, and it can also create a more supportive space to try new approaches.
Her practice includes behavioural therapy. This tends to focus on what’s happening in day-to-day life, and how thoughts, feelings, and actions can link together. The goal is often to make small, realistic changes that stick, even when things get busy or stressful.
Sessions are available as individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, and group therapy, with behavioural therapy used where it fits the situation. If you’re not sure what kind of support you need, it’s still okay to start with a conversation. Over time, you can work out what’s most helpful for your situation and your goals.