Meet Rachael Stewart

Rachael is a Health Psychology Registrar passionate about supporting individuals living with chronic health conditions, recovering from injury or trauma, and managing the psychological impacts of health challenges. She has experience working with clients across the lifespan, from young adults aged 16 to older adults up to 98 years. Rachael understands the complex interplay between physical health, emotional wellbeing, identity, and lifestyle, and helps clients navigate the psychological impacts of ongoing health concerns.

Rachael takes a biopsychosocial approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique circumstances, values, medical context, and support systems. She integrates cultural sensitivity into her practice, supporting clients from diverse backgrounds to navigate health challenges in a way that respects their beliefs and social context. Her approach draws on evidence-based frameworks including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and health behaviour change strategies, focusing on coping skills, distress management, adjustment to illness- or injury-related changes, and reconnecting with what matters most to each client.

• Master of Psychology (Health), University of Adelaide
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), University of Adelaide
• Title Holder, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Supporting clients to identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies for change.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helping clients accept difficult emotions and commit to actions aligned with their values.
• Health Behaviour Change Strategies: Supporting sustainable lifestyle changes that enhance wellbeing alongside physical health management.

She is committed to continual growth as a clinician and values ongoing supervision, professional development, and reflective practice.

Rachael has experience supporting a wide range of presentations across young adults to older adults, including:

• Trauma Recovery: Assisting clients to process and recover from traumatic experiences, including injury or health-related trauma.
• Chronic Illness Adjustment: Supporting individuals with chronic conditions, such as IBD, to manage the emotional and lifestyle impacts of illness.
• Injury Rehabilitation: Guiding clients through the psychological aspects of recovery from injuries, including burns and surgery.
• Pain Management: Helping clients develop strategies to manage chronic or post-surgical pain effectively.
• Hospital and Surgery-Related Distress: Reducing anxiety and supporting emotional adjustment related to medical procedures and hospital stays.
• Emotional Wellbeing Across the Lifespan: Supporting young adults to older adults in navigating life transitions, identity, and lifestyle changes impacted by health concerns.

Rachael’s extensive experience within SA Health, including the Royal Adelaide Hospital, inpatient mental health, and community services, informs her integrated and trauma-informed approach to care.