Dr Candice Mace
Clinical Psychologist
Client groups:
18+ | Couples/Marriage | TAC | Workcover
Special interest in:
Trauma | Grief | Bereavement
If you are here, you may be carrying something heavy, or navigating changes you never expected. You are welcome in this space. My approach is gentle, collaborative, steady and grounded in deep respect for the stories people bring. Together, we move at a pace that feels safe while exploring what hurts, what matters, and what might help you feel more supported and connected.
My lived experiences with grief and loss inspired me to pursue a career in clinical psychology, with a particular passion for supporting people experiencing grief, trauma, and life transitions. Since then, my clinical and academic work has become deeply focused on understanding how people adapt following profound loss and adversity.
I am a Clinical Psychologist with focused knowledge in grief and bereavement, complex trauma, PTSD and stress disorders. My clinical interests include prolonged grief disorder, traumatic, ambiguous and disenfranchised grief, as well as the intersection of grief with identity, relationships, culture and meaning. Alongside my clinical work, I am an academic and researcher, with research exploring bereavement interventions, therapeutic processes that facilitate psychological adjustment following loss, and emerging areas including palliative care, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and grief in the digital age.
My work is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed practice and tailored to your individual needs. Depending on your goals, I integrate approaches including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and other attachment- and emotion-focused approaches.
I provide assessment and therapy for a broad range of mental health concerns, with particular knowledge in:
• Grief, bereavement and loss
• Trauma, PTSD and complex trauma
• Anxiety disorders and phobias
• Depression and mood disorders
• Stress, burnout and adjustment difficulties
• Relationship and attachment concerns
• Life transitions, identity and meaning
Please refer below for a full list of the mental health presentations I support.
Other Areas Of Interest:
Adjustment disorders
Anger management
Anxiety disorders
Assertiveness training
Behavioural management
Careers | Study | Life Direction
Compulsive acquiring | hoarding
Conflict resolution
Domestic violence
Depression
Emotional eating disorder
Grief | Loss & bereavement
Health & Lifestyle issues
Marriage| Couples counselling
Mood disorders | Bi-polar
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Phobias
Relationship issues – INDIVIDUAL
Self-Esteem & Self-Development
Sexual assault | Abuse
Sexual intimacy | Relaxation
Shyness & Social skills
Sleeping disorders
Stress management & Relaxation
Trauma effects | PTSD
Victims of Crime
Weightloss | Body image
Workplace issues
Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if it's your first time or you're seeking support during one of the most challenging periods of your life. My aim is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely heard from the moment you walk through the door.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your own life and experiences; my role is to bring psychological knowledge, curiosity, and compassion as we work together to make sense of what's happening and identify a path forward. I value openness and transparency, so I'll always explain my thinking, involve you in decisions about your care, and welcome your feedback throughout our work together.
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We'll explore what has brought you to therapy, what has shaped your experiences, and what you hope might be different. There is no expectation that you tell your whole story in one appointment; we'll move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.
I'll also explain how therapy works, discuss confidentiality and its limits, and answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll begin developing a shared understanding of your experiences, identify your existing strengths and supports, and establish goals that are meaningful to you.
At the heart of my work are values of kindness, compassion, curiosity, and the belief that people make sense in the context of their life experiences. Rather than focusing on "What's wrong with you?", I find it far more helpful to ask "What has happened to you?" and "How have your experiences shaped the ways you've learned to survive?". I believe healing comes not from judgement or criticism, but from understanding, self-compassion, and creating space for new ways of relating to yourself and others. Where appropriate, forgiveness, of ourselves, others, or life's circumstances, can also become an important part of that journey, though it is never something that is expected or rushed.
My hope is that you leave your appointments feeling understood, supported, and with a clearer sense of where we're heading together.
Outside of my work, you'll often find me exploring nature with my rescue dogs, Sadie & Bowie, singing or playing my violin, piano or guitar, tending to my vegetable and flower garden, enjoying musical theatre, painting with watercolours, or enjoying a good cup of tea from one of my many antique teapots. These moments remind me of the importance of slowing down, connecting with what matters, and finding beauty and meaning in everyday life.
