Welcome to con fides Psychologists Sydney
We are a team of Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, and Counsellors based in Sydney’s CBD. With over 20 years of experience (formally known as Dr. Lissa Johnson), our practice has earnt the trust of doctors, individuals, and couples alike.
Our team brings a depth of professional experience – each psychologist at our practice has over 14 years of experience in the profession, with many offering more than two decades of clinical insight. With a diverse and highly experienced group, we’re here to help you feel supported from the very first conversation.
Your journey towards wellbeing starts here – connect with our team today.
How We Can Help You
Individual Therapy
We provide therapy for a variety of difficulties, including mental health conditions, entrenched life patterns, loss, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Whether you’re facing challenges or looking to enhance your effectiveness and well-being, we are here to support you.
Couples Therapy & Relationship Counselling
Our Sydney based practice has a strong focus on couple therapy and relationship counselling. We have helped many couples to improve their relationships and respond to problems and difficulties in ways that bring them closer together, rather than drive them apart.
Trauma Therapy
Traumatic experiences can have a significant impact on people’s lives. Therapy helps you to understand your reactions, and to process the trauma in such a way that you are able to come to terms with it so that it impacts less on your day-to-day experience. Therapy also allows you to regain a sense of equilibrium and stability, and to take part in your life with renewed peace and engagement.
Areas of Concern
Anxiety
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. But when worry, fear or panic become intense, persistent and easily triggered - causing avoidance, social withdrawal or disruption at work, school or home - anxiety may have moved beyond a normal stress reaction. At that point, it can seriously impact relationships, performance and overall wellbeing.
Depression
Depression is a common but serious mental-health challenge that can bring persistent sadness, hopelessness or emptiness - sometimes accompanied by loss of energy, motivation or interest in life. It can affect your sleep, appetite, daily functioning, relationships and overall ability to enjoy what used to matter.
Stress
When stress becomes chronic - always present or overly intense - it can wear you down emotionally and physically. Constant pressure, persistent worry or habitual over-reactivity can impair sleep, concentration, immunity and mood, and may trigger anxiety, depression or unhealthy coping behaviours.
Trauma
Traumatic experiences such as accidents, violence or disasters can leave lasting psychological impact. If intense reactions like intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness or constant hyper-alertness persist for months and interfere with work, relationships or daily functioning, this may point to post-traumatic stress requiring care.
Self esteem & wellbeing
A wide range of personal challenges from low mood and stress to major life transitions or family strain can gradually erode self-esteem and impact your overall wellbeing. When you feel less capable, valued or grounded, everyday tasks become harder. Professional support can help you regain clarity, confidence and emotional stability.
Relationships
When relationships become strained through frequent conflict, poor communication, trust issues, infidelity or difficulties forming and sustaining connections they can undermine psychological wellbeing and create stress, loneliness, or emotional hurt. Relationship difficulties affecting couples, families or friendships may signal the need for counselling and support.
Workplace issues
When work becomes overwhelming due to conflicts with co-workers or managers, heavy workloads, job insecurity or feeling undervalued, it can seriously impact your mental and physical health. Chronic workplace stress and pressure may lead to burnout, anxiety, decreased job satisfaction, and difficulties coping with everyday tasks.
Couples Counselling
Relationship pressures such as ongoing conflict, poor communication, drifting apart or unresolved differences around money, parenting or intimacy can create disconnection and emotional strain. When these patterns persist, couples may feel stuck, unheard or overwhelmed. Counselling offers a supportive space to rebuild understanding, strengthen connection and improve wellbeing.
What to Expect
Looking for a psychologist you can connect with? At our Sydney CBD practice, we offer psychological support that best meets your needs. Whether you prefer in-person or online sessions, we’ll take time to understand your concerns, explore helpful strategies, and pave the way forward, at a pace that feels comfortable and meaningful for you.
Starting the Conversation
The first session focuses on getting to know you - your concerns, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It’s a collaborative space to explore strategies and start building a plan for ongoing support. Standard sessions are about 50 minutes long, with both in-person and online options.
Referrals & Mental Health Care Plans
While a GP referral and mental health care plan aren’t necessary, we will enquire if you have one to help us with our suggestions as to which therapist would be a good fit.
Your Therapy Journey
Therapy is flexible and tailored to your circumstances. Some clients attend a few sessions to address a specific issue, while others continue for longer-term support and growth. Your psychologist will regularly review progress and help you determine the approach and pace that works best for you.
Finding the Right Psychologist
A strong connection with your psychologist is central to effective therapy. We help match you with a clinician whose approach suits your needs, and if it’s not quite the right fit, we’ll support you in connecting with someone who is.
Why Choose Us
Where genuine care and professional guidance come together to support your wellbeing
Convenient Location
We are located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, on Elizabeth Street in the historic St. James Trust Building. Our office is easily accessible via St James and Town Hall train stations, Gadigal Metro station, and Elizabeth Street bus services. There are also public car parks nearby.
Trusted for Over 20 Years
We’ve earned the trust of doctors, individuals, and couples throughout Sydney, providing professional psychological support for over two decades (the practice was formally known as Dr. Lissa Johnson).
Experienced Psychologists
Each of our psychologists has at least 14 years of experience in the psychology profession, with many offering more than two decades of clinical insight.
Affordable & Accessible Therapy
Our consultation fees are below the suggested fee by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Our fees range from $230 - $250 (APS suggests a fee of $318 for a 46-60 minute consultation). Our counsellor’s consultation fee is $200 - $210. We offer both in-person and online (phone/video) consultations, making therapy more accessible to you.
Meet The Team
Dr Oscar Modesto
Psychologist
Special Interest area
- Couples Counselling
- Family therapy
- Relationship issues
- Gay identity
- Grief and loss
- Existential issues and self-worth
Kim Stevens
Psychologist
Special Interest area
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Grief, coping, change
- Life patterns
- ADHD
- Perinatal psychology
Talia Gonda
Clinical Psychologist
Special Interest area
- Anxiety and Stress
- Mood disorders
- Grief and Loss
- Self-esteem
- Student issues (e.g. procrastination)
Bruno Giusti Diaz
Psychologist
Special Interest area
- Anxiety and Stress
- Dealing with Trauma
- Depression & Mood disorders
- Social Skills & Migration adjustment
- Couples & Relationship therapy
- Family Dynamics
Adrianna Loveday
Psychologist
Special Interest area
- Dealing with adversity
- Development of leadership capacity
- Building resilience
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Addictions
Cristina Wildt
Couple Therapist and Counsellor
- Relationships
- Couples therapy
- Migration and relocation
- ADHD and relationships
- Life change, loss
- Meaning, purpose and self worth
Connie Terzis
Clinical Psychologist & Practice Principal
Special Interest area
- Anxiety & Anxiety disorders
- Relationships
- Long-term patterns
- Depression
- Mood disorders
- Stress, coping, sleep difficulties
Claudia Giezen
Psychologist – Books closed
Special Interest area
- Anxiety & Phobias
- Improving social skills
- Trauma
- Couples therapy
- Procrastination
- Workplace burnout & Adjustment disorder
FAQs
Where are you located?
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
No, you do not need a referral to book an appointment. However, if you wish to claim a rebate from Medicare, then a valid GP referral and mental health care plan is required.
How much do sessions cost?
For a standard 50–60 minute session the fees are: $230 – $250 for psychologists or clinical psychologists, and $200 – $210 for counsellors.
Can I get a rebate through Medicare?
Yes, if you have a valid GP referral and mental health care plan for a diagnosed mental health disorder.
The Medicare rebate for a session with a psychologist is $98.95; the rebate for a session with a clinical psychologist is $145.25
Counsellor sessions do not attract Medicare rebates.
Are both in‑person and online (telehealth) options available?
What kinds of issues or concerns can I seek help for?
Trusted, Qualified, Experienced
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