Deb Kaita Kakiiza
Psychologist

Deb Kaita Kakiiza is a registered psychologist who has been working in counselling and therapeutic practice for more than 25 years, and has been registered as a psychologist since 2010. She holds a Master of Psychology (Counselling), a Master of Health Studies (Loss and Grief), a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Bachelor of Counselling.

​

Deb has a particular interest in supporting people experiencing grief and loss, trauma, chronic illness and disability, neurodivergence, relationship difficulties and significant life transitions. She recognises that these experiences often overlap and can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including their sense of identity, relationships, work, wellbeing and future direction.  She also has lived experience in many of these areas.

Her approach is collaborative, compassionate and individually tailored. Deb draws on a range of psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Somatic Psychology, compassion focused therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy and the Gottman approach to relationships. Rather than applying a single therapeutic model, she works with each person to understand their unique circumstances and identify approaches that are most likely to be helpful for them.

​

Deb places considerable importance on the therapeutic relationship and on creating a space where people feel heard, respected and understood. She believes that people are the experts in their own lives and that therapy is most effective when psychologist and client work together to identify meaningful goals and practical ways forward.

​

She particularly enjoys working alongside people as they navigate periods of change, loss or uncertainty, helping them develop greater understanding, self-compassion and connection while identifying what can be changed and what can be approached differently.

 

Deb is also a Psychology Board of Australia approved supervisor and provides supervision to provisional psychologists undertaking their internship, as well as peer supervision to mental health practitioners.  She has also worked extensively within the Workers' compensation scheme.