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About Dr Clarissa Lui

Senior Clinical Psychologist

DPsychˆ, MClinPsych, BSc(Hons)Psych
Registered Clinical Psychologist (AHPRA; SRP)

Board-Approved Supervisor (AHPRA; SRP)

ˆnot a medical or dental qualification

Clarissa graduated from The University of Queensland, Australia, with a Doctor of Psychology and Master of Clinical Psychology. She is a compassionate and skilled clinical psychologist working with culturally diverse clients of all ages. She has a particular passion for helping children, adolescents, families, and couples who present with varied concerns, including mental health problems, mild to moderate developmental difficulties, alcohol and/or other drug misuse and relationship issues. She is an accredited provider of SMART (alcohol and substance use Self Management and Recovery Training programme).

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A believer in guiding parents and caregivers to confidently manage their children’s behaviour while fostering strong and healthy relationships, Clarissa is an accredited provider of the following parenting programmes:

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  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme)

  • Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) & Classroom (COSC): 

  • Cool Kids Anxiety Programme

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Clarissa has lived and worked in the UK, Japan and Australia. Outside of work, Clarissa stays active by running and cycling, and she finds joy in singing with a community choir.

Therapeutic Orientation

Clarissa utilises a holistic, integrative therapeutic approach, drawing on cognitive-behavioural and attachment-based frameworks. She incorporates motivational interviewing, mindfulness strategies and values exploration to improve psychological flexibility and help individuals and dyads grow and thrive. She strongly believes in the role of the parent-child relationship and family environment in contributing to the wellbeing of young people. She understands it is vital to involve caregivers throughout the therapy process.

 

In her work, Clarissa helps individuals explore how early attachment experiences influence their feelings of safety and security in adult relationships. Her practice is grounded in providing a psychologically and relationally safe space for processing difficult emotions, acknowledging strengths and vulnerabilities, and finding courage for change.

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  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy 

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1 & 2) 

  • Motivational Interviewing

Expertise and Specialisations

Diagnoses

  • Mood Disorders

  • Anxiety Disorders

  • Substance-related disorders 

  • Trauma and stressor-related disorders 

 

Special Interest

  • Anxiety interventions for children, teens and adults

  • Parent-child relationships

  • Mindfulness, acceptance strategies and values-based work 

 

Issues

  • Low mood 

  • Low self-esteem 

  • Behavioural and emotional difficulties 

  • Addictions 

  • Parenting challenges 

  • Family communication issues 

  • Couple/marital struggles

Experience

Clarissa has extensive experience working in community mental health and social service settings in Singapore and Brisbane. She has supported individuals in outpatient settings with substance use issues and co-morbid mental health problems, as well as their significant others as they navigate their journey towards recovery. Clarissa has also provided therapy to preschool and school-aged children who present with a range of socio-emotional, attentional and behavioural difficulties, as well as those from low-income or vulnerable backgrounds or experiencing major life transitions, such as parental separation, grief, or loss.

 

In Family Service Centres, Clarissa has provided psychological assessments and therapeutic support to children and teenagers from high-conflict families, as well as adults coping with life changes, work stressors, and relationship disputes. 

 

Prior to being a psychologist, Clarissa taught English in primary and secondary schools in Singapore and Japan, where she also provided counselling to students and conducted training for teachers. This background, combined with her observations of mental health needs in local and overseas settings, fueled her passion for improving the quality of life and well-being of young people. 

 

More recently, she has taken up an Associate Faculty position at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and obtained her credentials as a supervisor, contributing to the development of the next generation of mental health professionals in Singapore.

"The willingness to accept our authentic selves and connect to our innermost needs and vulnerabilities with compassion and courage opens us up to choosing a meaningful life that is worth living."

~Dr Clarissa Lui

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