Jana Staby - Brisbane ACT Centre

Jana Staby

Psychologist

Available Mondays & Fridays in person in Milton & online via Telehealth

Limited Time Only Bulk Billing

For a limited time only, Jana is offering bulk billing for your first two sessions. Simply mention this offer when booking your appointment. Sessions are available during regular business hours and require a valid GP Mental Health Plan. Bulk billing slots are limited, so reach out today to secure your appointment.

Background

Jana holds a Master of Psychology from the University of Queensland, her approach is both collaborative and client-centered. She works closely with each individual to tailor treatment according to their unique needs and therapy goals. Jana’s priority is creating a warm, safe, and comfortable therapeutic environment, where clients feel truly understood, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.

Jana has a particular passion for helping individuals overcome the challenges associated with panic and phobias. She understands the profound impact these issues can have on daily life and works compassionately to guide clients toward meaningful progress.

With a strong foundation in evidence-based therapies, Jana is skilled in delivering a range of effective treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and general supportive counselling. This versatility allows her to adapt her approach to best meet the needs of each client.

Beyond her professional work, Jana finds joy in creative and reflective pursuits. She enjoys reading engaging books, expressing herself through painting, and spending quality time with her cat, Hector.

Bulk Billing & Discounted Rates Offer

Gary understands that financial challenges can sometimes make it difficult to seek the support you need. To make therapy more accessible, he is offering bulk billing for your first two sessions, available through December 2024. Simply mention this offer when booking your appointment.

Sessions are available during regular business hours and require a valid GP Mental Health Plan. Bulk billing slots are limited, so reach out today to secure your appointment.

Gary is also offering discounted rates for Working-Holiday Visa holders & Health Care Card Concession Cardholders. Simply get in touch to discuss your eligibility and secure your session at a reduced rate

Areas of Support

Anxiety

Anger

Adjustment

Career & work

Chronic pain

Depression

Grief & loss

OCD

Phobias

Self-esteem

Relationships

Sleep

Stress

Telehealth

Trauma/ptsd

Women's Health

Young people

Approach

Jana takes a collaborative and holistic approach to psychology, recognizing the deep connection between mind and body. She believes that optimal wellness comes from integrating mental and physical health rather than treating them as separate entities. Elements such as sleep, lifestyle habits, and other health behaviors are just as crucial to well-being as mental health. This comprehensive approach stems from Jana’s background as both a Health Psychology Registrar and a General Psychologist.

For Jana, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the therapeutic alliance that develops between therapist and client. Research highlights this alliance as one of the most crucial components of effective therapy, and Jana sees why: it creates a safe, warm, and supportive environment where clients can work toward their therapy goals with confidence and trust.

Jana thrives in supporting clients who are navigating anxiety, panic, phobias, and everyday life challenges. She finds these areas particularly meaningful, recognizing the significant impact they can have on a person’s life and functioning. Jana also enjoys helping clients build meaningful lives by identifying their values and clarifying the kind of person they want to become. Regardless of the challenges a client may be facing, Jana’s goal is to ensure they feel heard, supported, and empowered.

What to Expect at the First Session

Feeling nervous before the first session is completely normal, and understanding what to expect can help ease those initial anxieties.

The first session focuses on getting to know the client as a person and understanding their specific therapy goals. Jana begins by discussing confidentiality guidelines and addressing any initial concerns or questions. From there, she conducts an intake assessment, exploring the client’s story, strengths, and current challenges. Together, they may briefly discuss the therapeutic modalities that might best suit the client’s unique needs.

Towards the end of the session, clients may be invited to complete a brief questionnaire on their current mood symptoms. This tool helps track progress over time, with no “right” or “wrong” answers—it simply reflects how the client has been feeling throughout the week.

Approach

Believing that therapy should be tailored to each client's needs, Gary uses a holistic and integrated approach. His humanistic and strengths-based style focuses on creating a safe space for clients to openly explore their challenges with curiosity and compassion. Gary is committed to delivering evidence-based therapeutic modalities, with a focus on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

What to expect at your first session

Starting therapy can sometimes feel daunting, and I want to acknowledge that taking this step is a brave and significant move towards prioritizing your well-being. In our initial session, we'll begin by reviewing confidentiality guidelines and conducting an intake assessment, gathering important details about your medical and psychological history, as well as exploring your strengths, concerns, and expectations for therapy. This session is an opportunity for me to listen to your story, in your own words, to fully appreciate your experiences and gain a deeper understanding of you as a person. I’ll also invite you to complete a quick and simple questionnaire to help assess your current levels of mental functioning and wellness. There are no “bad” or “wrong” scores in these assessments; they are simply tools to better understand how you're feeling and identify areas where additional support may be needed. By the end of the session, we will collaboratively set clear goals for your therapy journey and discuss how often we should meet to best support your progress. You’re always welcome to ask any questions at any point during the session. This first meeting is all about building a trusting foundation for our work together and ensuring that we are aligned in our approach moving forward.

We'd Love to Hear From You!

Get in touch with one of our friendly staff to ask any questions you have or to book your appointment today.