Dr Laura Coat

Senior Clinical Psychologist

About

Laura is a Senior registered Clinical Psychologist and is currently undertaking the registrar pathway to become an endorsed Forensic Psychologist. She completed a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at The University of Tasmania before completing a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne. Across her career, Laura has worked in a variety of public and private mental health settings in Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria.

Laura has experience working with adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, stress, emotional dysregulation, self-injury / harm, anger, trauma, complex trauma, and personality disorder. She also has experience working with clients in crisis, experiencing family violence, and those with forensic and offending backgrounds.

Laura is particularly interested in working with people who are experiencing sexual health and wellbeing-related concerns, including vaginismus, dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, and libido discrepancy. Her practice is LGBTQIA+, non-monogamy, sex work, and kink-inclusive, and she utilises a gender affirming approach.

Laura has an open and understanding therapeutic style, informed by her values of acceptance and honesty. She strives to create non-judgemental therapeutic space to help the people she works with discuss and explore their experiences with a sense of safety and trust. Laura works collaboratively with her clients and is guided by their strengths, goals, and feedback. 

Therapeutic Approaches

Laura aims to utilise evidence-based therapeutic approaches whilst listening to the individual needs of her clients.

She draws upon evidence-based frameworks, including:

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic), Swinburne University of Technology

  • Master of Psychology (Clinical), The University of Tasmania

  • Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Flinders University

  • Bachelor of Health Science (Honours), Flinders University

  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Adelaide

Professional Memberships

Laura is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) and is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS), Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry and Law, International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, and LGBTQI+ Health Australia.