Ms Polina Russell

Introduction

Polina is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with over 10 years’ experience.
Polina is a down-to-earth, compassionate, energetic, and curious therapist, approaching her work with a relaxed, non-judgmental, and strengths-based style. She is passionate about collaborating with clients to build a solid and deep understanding of themselves, informed by various therapeutic models. Polina's core focus is always client safety and empowerment, guiding individuals toward lasting, meaningful change.

Clinical Experience

Polina has held a wide variety of roles in the support and treatment of those experiencing psychological difficulties and mental health conditions since 2014; which has diversified her interests and skills in the assessment, understanding and treatment of psychological conditions.
Polina has been working in private practice at Cygnet Clinic for over 7 years and previously to that in Mandurah for a number of years. Her experience of clients in this space has been broad including experience with treating depression and anxiety, building stress and anger management, improvement of self-esteem and self-worth, reducing avoidance, reducing trauma symptomatology, improving relationships and communication, improving sexual function and satisfaction, increasing emotion regulation and acceptance, overcoming self-defeating patterns, increasing self-compassion and self-empowerment and gaining a better connection with self and body.

Polina has run group therapy sessions for both inpatient and outpatients at Abbotsford Private Hospital, Hollywood Clinic and with perpetrators of domestic violence. Nature of the groups included schema therapy, addictions, managing psychological distress, depression, anxiety, body-based groups and self-compassion.
Polina has also previously worked with children and families in the context of disability services including autism assessment and diagnosis. She has also worked with children with complex comorbid presentations at Family Pathways (Shenton Park).
Polina also engaged and continues to engage in various non-clinical work including clinical assessor in research data collection, academic university assessor/marker and various committee roles within the psychology community.

Qualifications

• Master of Clinical Psychology
• Master of Sexology
• Post Graduate Diploma in Sexology
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Honours
• Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

Awards & Memberships

• Member of EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
• Member of International Society of Schema Therapists (ISST)
• Member of Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS) Ltd.
• Member of Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
• Member of Western Australian Sports Well-being Initiative (WASWI)
• Circle of Security (CoS) Parent Program Educator
• Highest Achievement Award for Master of Sexology (2012)

Clinical Interests

Polina Russell is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice dedicated to supporting individuals through a broad spectrum of psychological challenges. She maintains a strong interest in the deep, intricate work associated with complex trauma, sexual difficulties, and underlying attachment and relationship dynamics.
Polina provides comprehensive therapy for clients seeking support with common mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and stress related to parenting or the workplace. She is committed to neuro-affirming care and provides a safe, welcoming space for neuro-spicy individuals.
Beyond therapeutic intervention, Polina is an accomplished psychological assessor and an official Pearson Clinical Examiner. This expertise allows her to offer detailed, professional evaluations, serving as a trusted resource for both clients and referring healthcare professionals seeking accurate diagnostic clarification.

Clinical Approaches

Polina’s primary clinical approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Sensate Focus, Somatic and body-based approaches including Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) and sensorimotor psychotherapy. She also further borrows from complimenting treatment approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT), Gottman Therapy and well as Family and Systems Therapy.

Polina works dynamically and eclectically and at all times client-centred, trauma-informed, attachment focussed with a strength-based approach.

Fees

Fees for private consultations can be found on cygnetclinic.com.au/fees

Referrals

Referrals accepted from MVA insurance, Worker’s Compensation, Medicare referrals, self-referrals, NDIS, EAP.