Shirlene Jayasundera
Discover Shirlene’s qualifications and experience as a Clinical Psychologist. Take advantage of his expertise and schedule a convenient daytime in person session with her at our Brandon Park office.
Sinhala-Speaking Psychologist in Melbourne
ආප්කගේ ඉතා භාවිත කෂුක් කරන්න — සිංහල මනෝ විද්යා පරාමර්ශ
ආප්කො The Talk Shop හිදී සිංහල මනෝ විද්යා පරාමර්ශ සෙවා ලලනු ලයි. ක්ශේමය්ය ලකෙන් කතා කිරීම ථෙරපිය වෙනස් ප්රයෝජනාවත් වෙයි.
At The Talk Shop, we offer psychological support in Sinhala across four Melbourne clinic locations and via Telehealth. Our Sinhala-speaking psychologists understand the cultural context that shapes your experience — because language is more than words.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Why Seeing a Psychologist in Sinhala Matters
Research consistently shows that people achieve better outcomes in therapy when they can express themselves in their first language. Emotional nuance, cultural context, and lived experience are often lost in translation — even for people who are highly fluent in English.
Working with a Sinhala-speaking psychologist means you can:
- Express emotions with the full depth and precision of your first language
- Be understood within your cultural context — not just translated
- Avoid the cognitive load of switching languages mid-session
- Explore family dynamics, values, and identity in a culturally informed way
- Feel genuinely heard, not just clinically assessed
Cultural safety is not a nice-to-have in psychology — it is a clinical requirement. At The Talk Shop, our Sinhala-speaking psychologists provide evidence-based care that is sensitive to the specific pressures, values, and community contexts of Sinhala-speaking Australians.
What We Can Help With
Our Sinhala-speaking psychologists provide support across a wide range of mental health concerns, including:
- Anxiety, worry, and panic
- Depression and low mood
- Trauma, PTSD, and complex trauma
- ADHD assessment and support
- Grief, loss, and bereavement
- Stress — work, financial, relationship, and life transition stress
- OCD and intrusive thoughts
- Relationship and family difficulties
- Cultural adjustment, migration stress, and identity concerns
- Perinatal mental health — prenatal and postnatal support
Explore all conditions:
Our Sinhala-Speaking Psychologists
The Talk Shop has a team of over 70 psychologists across Melbourne. Our Sinhala-speaking practitioners are fluent in Sinhala and understand the cultural values and community experiences of Sri Lankan-Australians. They hold full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and bring both clinical training and genuine cultural fluency to every session.
Not sure which psychologist is right for you? Our admin team can match you based on language, cultural background, clinical specialty, and availability. Call us on 1300 224 665 or use the contact form and we will find the right fit.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is a 50-minute assessment session. It is a confidential, no-pressure conversation — a chance to talk through what you have been experiencing, in Sinhala, and explore what support might look like for you.
From there, your psychologist will discuss a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs, drawing on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based methods.
We offer in-clinic appointments at Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
Funding Options — What Will You Pay?
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
- WorkCover approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
- NDIS plan-managed or self-managed — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
- TAC claim approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
- Medicare rebate (Mental Health Care Plan) — rebates processed same-day or next day
- Private Health Insurance — we provide an itemised invoice for your extras claim
- No funding / self-pay — affordable rates from $50 per session, no GP referral needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak English to use The Talk Shop?
No. Sessions with our Sinhala-speaking psychologists are conducted in Sinhala. You do not need any English at all.
Is what I share in sessions kept confidential?
Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is strictly confidential under Australian law and the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics. The only exceptions are where there is serious risk of harm — your psychologist will explain these limits at your first appointment.
Does Medicare cover psychology sessions conducted in Sinhala?
Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply regardless of the language your session is conducted in. Up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year are covered, with rebates processed same-day or next day.
Can I see a psychologist via Telehealth in Sinhala?
Yes. Telehealth sessions in Sinhala are available from anywhere in Australia. This is particularly useful if you are not near one of our Melbourne clinics.
What if I want to switch between Sinhala and English during a session?
That is completely fine. Many clients naturally move between languages. Our psychologists are comfortable with mixed-language sessions.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with The Talk Shop without a referral. A GP referral (Mental Health Care Plan) is only needed if you wish to access Medicare rebates.
Ready to Talk? Book a Sinhala-Speaking Psychologist in Melbourne.
You deserve support that truly understands you — in your language, and in your cultural context.