About Me

Learn more about my background

Moinque smiling at the camera
Monique Girardo psychologist sitting and smiling at camera

My name is Monique…

My journey into Psychology began with a simple truth - I know what it is to feel lost and to search for healing and deeper meaning. From a young age, I realised I carried a lot - emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. But understanding how to process and heal what I carried inside was not so easy to understand and what led me on this challenging but beautiful journey.

My name is Monique and I am a registered psychologist and certified yoga teacher. For the past few years I experienced a range of therapeutic roles, having the privilege to interact and support so many people; Working in a school with children, teenagers and parents; performing crisis response services; supporting and advocating for individuals with disability; and several years of direct clinical work in private practice. This part of my career established a strong foundation in psychology and evidence-based practice that enabled me to develop a deep understanding of the psychological and cognitive processes that many of us struggle with.

Through my own story of complex family dynamics, abuse, chronic illness, a long-term relationship breakdown and a myriad of mental health symptoms I experienced most of my life in a state of hopelessness. I tried to live a ‘normal’ life, pushing through the pain, suffering and symptoms I was experiencing however it reached a point where my mind, body and Soul could no longer keep fighting. Through symptoms including depression, anxiety, exhaustion, chronic digestive issues, difficulties with everyday functioning like concentration, focus, and memory, addictive habits, insomnia and many others, still I continued to fight the fight. But what I didn’t know or understand was the impact all these life experiences had on my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. I sought help but often felt parts of me and my story were unseen. I realised that focusing on the mind in isolation didn’t provide me the depth, safety and connection I truly needed to heal. I realised I needed a therapeutic space that saw all of who I was. Whilst conventional psychology is so rewarding and beneficial to those who need it, my own journey started exposing me to deeper parts of healing that were unfamiliar to a conventional psychological space. I further began working with clients who seemed to ‘mirror’ a similar experience to that of my own alerting me to others who shared a deeper yearning for healing. Desperate to help myself, I realised this desperation extended far beyond me and spoke to a louder calling. A calling to explore deeper levels of healing.

When I began to look at what I was experiencing on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level, and acknowledge the pain and suffering I had been through - my life began to change. I began to feel something deep within, that if I pursued this path of healing I would find the freedom I ultimately wished and hoped for. And this freedom, was to be free from the stories my mind made me believe like “I am not good enough”, “I am unworthy” or “I am a bad person” and to be free of the pain my nervous system learned to hold on to. I explored various modalities including psychology, psychospiritual therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, somatic therapy, yoga, acupuncture, acupressure, Ayurvedic medicine, and many more. My path led me places as far as India, Peru, and the Amazonias where I exposed myself to various forms of healing that integrated a deeper mind-body connection. When I began to integrate on a holistic level, I began to heal. I learned how to understand the relationship between my mind, body, and Soul, and started to listen to what I truly needed. And when I began to listen to what I needed, I began to learn to love myself - which was the ultimate form of healing that I needed.

My heart always led me towards this path. A place where I could hold space for those in suffering, and to be a listener for those who needed to be heard. My path of healing really took me on a journey of self-discovery that combined wellness in all its forms, movement and stillness, supportive exploration of the self, the psyche and the ego, and balance - an equilibrium of all aspects of what it is to be human. We all have a story to share; maybe a story of pain, a story of grief, or a story of anger or longing. And sometimes we find ourselves so lost in the story, so deep in the pain, we forget that what we are experiencing is not actually who we are. That our suffering isn’t actually our story, but a chapter. But when pain and suffering is all we know, we become the story, we embody a version of ourselves that is built on this. I created WYSEbymonique to remind you that we’re not alone on this path. While we do walk the path solo, WYSEbymonique is here to support you by exploring your inner world, creating connection through movement, stillness, breath and the spaces in between, supporting you to create inner balance and to challenge the beliefs and patterns that keep you feeling stuck. The integration of wellness, yoga and psychology provides a strong foundation for creating inner equilibrium. WYSEbymonique serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and it looks different for each and every one of us. It’s not about fitting yourself to a specific method, but rather exploring and connecting in with yourself to discover what resonates for you. And I’m here to support you through that process.

Even realising that I was more than just what was seen on the surface, that I held biological, psychological, spiritual, emotional, and mental experiences I began searching for meaning in my life, and this search, this calling to follow my path of healing, led me to connect with a deeper part of who I was that allowed me to heal the parts that needed to be seen. And through this journey, I created WYSEbymonique - a space that acknowledges, and sees all of who you are.

Services

  • PSYCH

    Monique Girardo working with a client in a meeting
    Psychological therapy is a supportive space that aims to support you explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It’s an invitation to discover both your inner and outer world - from your conscious thoughts and emotions, to the unconscious patterns and behaviours shaped by early experiences, relationships, culture and biology. Having this awareness supports you to understand more about yourself and the world around you. When we experience a psychological issue, whether that be depression, …
  • Yoga

    Monique Girardo working at desk with her laptop
    More and more there is a growing awareness of the mind-body connection. We are beginning to understand that what we think and feel shapes how our body responds, and how our body feels influences our emotional world. Traditional talk therapy is powerful, but healing on a deeper level can require more than conversation alone. When we experience a traumatic, overwhelming, frightening, or distressing experience, the body shifts into survival mode. The body is an instinctive system designed to …

Our Blog

Where we write reflections and share knowledge

FAQ

Find answers to our most common questions below

  • How can I contact you?
    You can use our contact form or email us directly here wysebymonique@gmail.com
  • How do you schedule online sessions?
    Through zoom. You are not required to have a zoom account or download the app.
  • How does payment work?
    Please pay the fee prior to your session through bank transfer.
  • How can I schedule a consultation?
    To schedule a consultation, please contact us.
  • How many sessions will I need?
    This varies for every person. Each individual has a different set of needs
  • What is your cancellation policy?
    We understand sometimes a session needs to be cancelled for many reasons. If you are needing to cancel please do 48 hours prior. Cancellations made 24 hours prior will incur a 50% charge of the fee and sessions cancelled on the day will incur 100% of the fee.
  • What evidence-based strategies do you use?
    This varies depending on the clients needs. Evidence-based practices such as CBT, ACT, DBT, IFS.
  • How can I schedule a consultation?
    To schedule a consultation, please contact us.
  • How many sessions will I need?
    This varies for every person. Each individual has a different set of needs.
  • What is the session length?
    1.5 hours

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