Fiona Lacy 
Counselling Psychologist
VAPP, MA(CounsPsych), BA(Hons), GradDipFamilyTherapy, MAAPi

Fiona has been working as a psychologist for 30+ years; the majority of this has been in private practice in Melbourne. Fiona works with women in their developmental journeys through the significant changes in their lives, including the transition to motherhood.  Fiona also has experience working with fathers in their preparation for and adjustment to fatherhood.

Fiona has engaged in intensive training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (VAPP).  Fiona also teaches and is an Infant Observation seminar leader in the Training Program of the VAPP and IPI.  Fiona supervises psychologists with an interest in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Infant Observation.

In her private practice, Fiona provides medium to longer-term psychotherapy for adults.  Fiona is guided by contemporary psychoanalytic ideas.  Psychotherapy is a process of enquiry and exploration.  The therapist and patient work together to make sense of and work through conscious and unconscious internal struggles that may be contributing to painful difficulties in the patient’s life and relationships.

Fiona has a long-standing interest in assisting new mothers to adjust to motherhood, which is a sensitive time of transition both individually and within the family. In addition, she has an interest in perinatal work with mothers and their infants.  Often the birth of a child can activate earlier difficult experiences in the parent’s own history, and this can be confusing and overwhelming.  Psychotherapy can assist the parent to understand how earlier experiences are interacting with their feelings about parenting and can provide the opportunity to create new possibilities in the present for the parent and infant.

Fiona has supported many parents who have experienced the pain of pregnancy loss, unexpected pregnancy termination, the loss of a child, and traumatic birth experiences.

Fiona sees individuals who have eating and body image concerns, which can emerge, or re-emerge, during pregnancy and following the birth of a baby.  Working with a therapist can assist to make sense of, and provide some relief from, these anxieties and concerns.

Fiona has extensive experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and has supported many individuals and couples in their journey to create Rainbow Families.  Fiona is committed to providing non-pathologising psychotherapy for individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

Babies are welcome in sessions.

Areas of Special Interest

• Preconception, including fertility issues
• Pregnancy
• Perinatal loss
• Antenatal depression and anxiety
• Birth trauma
• Premature Birth
• Postnatal depression and anxiety
• Parent-infant attachment
• Adjustment issues
• Eating disorders
• Infants
• Fathers

 Professional Memberships

• Member, Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (VAPP)
• Member, NSW Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (NSWIPP)
• Member, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association of Australasia (PPAA)
• Member, Australasian Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies (ACPP)
• Member, International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI)
• Member, Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi)
• Member, Australian Association of Infant Mental Health (AAIMH)
• Member, Centre for Perinatal Psychology
• Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), Counselling Psychologist endorsement

Fees & Rebates

*Medicare rebates are available to those who have a referral and Mental Health Care Plan from their GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.  This must be in place prior to the first claimable session.

Available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (telehealth and face-to-face available)
Contact: use the Contact button below to make a direct online enquiry to Fiona