Caty Gierer
Caty Gierer
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Director of Perennial Psychology
B. Soc Sci (Psych), B. Psych Sci (Hons), M.Psych (Clinical)
Background and Experience
Caty is a warm and engaging clinical psychologist, with several years of experience. She has worked in both public and private practice, and has considerable experience working in acute tertiary-level public settings; both crisis teams and outpatient programs. Caty’s public health work developed her keen interest and experience in working with borderline personality disorder and working systemically within our public health system to offer the best streamlined treatment for consumers with personality disorders. It was this work that has led Caty to further her clinical expertise in this area, and she is highly trained in several evidence-based treatments for treating complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and personality disorders. Caty also has clinical interest and expertise working with eating disorders, and can offer several evidence-based treatments for disordered eating and body image concerns.​​
Therapeutic Approach
​Caty’s crisis work has helped form her identity as a clinician namely that life can be overwhelming sometimes and we all can feel a little wobbly and like the wheels are falling off, especially during times of high stress, in the wake of significant life events or in the context of change. Caty enjoys working in this dynamic space, and working with clients to increase their psychological skillset which can protect us in times of stress. ​​​
Caty believes that our ability to transform and see meaningful change lies within our ability to first tune into ourselves and to be curious about our internal experiences. It is ultimately this, coupled with our willingness to take responsibility that leads us to meaningful therapeutic change. Caty’s therapeutic approach can be summed up well by this quote from well known psychotherapist Irvin Yalom; ““As long as he denies his own agency, real change is unlikely because his attention will be directed toward changing his environment rather than himself".
Caty works collaboratively with clients to establish therapeutic goals and develop treatment plans, with a central part being the development of a shared formulation. This is a way in which a psychologist and a client come to understand current difficulties in the context of one's life. Caty’s clients know her for her honesty and authenticity, and her unwavering capacity to hold hope for recovery. ​
​Caty’s dialectical therapeutic approach is person-centered, creative, dynamic and known to include a sprinkling of humour. Caty is down to earth and genuine. Caty’s work draws heavily on attachment and schema frameworks, and is influenced by psychodynamic literature. Her work is always trauma-informed and she has published literature in the field of sexual violence and trauma.
Caty’s main therapeutic modalities are:
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
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Schema Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT)
Areas of Interest
Caty works with a broad range of presentations, but her areas of clinical interest and expertise lies in the treatment of personality disorders or vulnerabilities and eating disorders.
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Caty understands that it can be difficult to start with a psychologist, whether it’s your first time in therapy, or you are starting again with someone new. To ensure that Caty is the right fit for you and your needs, she is happy to have a phone conversation with you prior to referral to answer any questions you may have, or simply as an opportunity to meet her without committing to a session.