Dr Anuradhi Jayasinghe
she/her
MA(Phil), GradDipPsych(adv), DPsych., MAPS
I began working in mental health settings in 2016 while training to be a psychologist. Since then, I’ve worked with people experiencing a range of difficulties, including complex mental health challenges. One of the most important things this work has taught me is just how much our difficulties make sense in the context of our lives.
People often come to therapy wanting to “fix” something about themselves. But when we take the time to understand where a pattern came from, we often discover that what now feels like a problem once helped a person adapt, cope or protect themselves through something difficult. I’ve developed a deep respect for this resourcefulness and resilience in people.
This understanding is central to how I approach therapy. Before jumping to solutions, I want to help you understand yourself. My hope is that you can begin to see the parts of yourself you struggle with not as evidence there’s something wrong with you, but as an understandable response to the experiences that have shaped you.
In sessions, I prioritise creating a relationship where you feel safe enough to lay down the façade we all carry through everyday life. There can be enormous relief in saying the things you’ve been holding back, connecting with difficult emotions, and discovering that they can be met with understanding rather than judgement.
From there, we can explore what still serves you and what you might be ready to do differently. I’ll ask questions, offer different perspectives and help you see the options available to you. I don’t believe it’s my role to tell you how to live your life. My hope is to help you create distance from old patterns so you can make choices that feel more aligned with who you are and the life you want to live.
I welcome the opportunity to support people of all backgrounds, identities, and orientations to connect with and strengthen their own voice among the noise. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you.
Life can start to feel overwhelming when we’re juggling work, romantic relationships, social commitments and finances – all while trying to figure out what really matters to us. You might find yourself caught between your own values, other people’s expectations, and beliefs you’re not even sure are yours anymore.
I’m Anuradhi (Nu) Jayasinghe, a Clinical Psychologist based in Melbourne CBD. I work primarily with early-career adults as they navigate this formative period of life – building careers and relationships, gaining independence from family, and making decisions that can shape the years ahead.
Growing up in both a Sri Lankan and Australian cultural context, and shaped by my family’s Buddhist heritage, I was exposed to different ideas about who I should be and how I should live. When I was younger, I often found myself adapting to fit the expectations of whichever context I was in. Over time, this sparked a deeper curiosity about identity, belonging, meaning and what it means to build a life that genuinely feels like your own.
That curiosity first led me to philosophy and, in particular, the question of ‘how to live well’. I loved exploring what thinkers throughout history had to say about living an ethical, meaningful and fulfilling life. But philosophy is often a solitary pursuit. I wanted to find work that allowed me to connect with and make a difference in the lives of others. Psychology became my natural next step.
Basis
I chose the name “Basis” to reflect the idea that our psychology forms the foundation of our lives. It shapes how we interpret experiences, manage emotions, relate to others, and move towards meaningful goals. Therapy can help you understand your psychological ‘groundwork’, how it may be contributing to your current challenges, and what needs to change to navigate life more effectively.
Therapy with me at Basis is guided by five core values:
Individualised, person-centred care
Collaboration between me and my client
Evidence-based psychological interventions
Warmth and respect within the therapeutic relationship
Empowering my clients to build lasting psychological health
My aim is to address current difficulties while supporting you to developing a stronger psychological foundation for the future.
My approach to therapy
My approach to therapy is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), one of the most well-established psychological treatments for many mental health concerns. CBT can help people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected and offers practical ways to manage challenges.
Depending on an individual’s needs, my approach may also integrate elements from:
Sessions are collaborative and goal-focused, remaining responsive to each person’s unique needs and situation.
Research
My doctoral research examined the psychological impact on family members of people with serious mental health challenges. Family members often play a vital role in supporting those experiencing psychological difficulties, yet their own experiences are frequently overlooked.
The findings of my research indicated that siblings of people with serious mental health difficulties often experience increased levels of anxiety and depression, particularly during the early stages of illness and periods of relapse. Several factors were associated with poorer psychological wellbeing including:
Rumination
External locus of control
Negative appraisals of the caregiving role
Stigma
Limited communication within the family
Overall, my work highlights that family members represent an important but often ignored group who may benefit from tailored psychological support. This research continues to inform my clinical interest in working with family members and caregivers of individuals experiencing serious mental health challenges.
Publications
Jayasinghe, A., Wrobel, A., Filia, K., Byrne, L.K., Melvin, G., Berk, L., Berk, M. and Cotton, S., 2023. Psychological distress in siblings of people with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57(5), pp.642-660.
Jayasinghe, A., Wrobel, A., Filia, K., Byrne, L.K., Melvin, G., Murrihy, S., Moller, C., Berk, L., Berk, M. and Cotton, S., 2023. Distress, burden, and wellbeing in siblings of people with mental illness: a mixed studies systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological medicine, 53(15), pp.6945-6964.
Jayasinghe, A., Filia, K., Wrobel, A.L., Karambelas, G., Byrne, L.K., Melvin, G., Gao, C., Garvin, T., Watson, A., Hasty, M. and Macneil, C., 2025. The role of schemas in the experience of distress, burden, and wellbeing in parents and siblings of people with serious mental health difficulties. Psychiatry Research, 348, p.116448.
Wrobel, A.L., Jayasinghe, A., Russell, S.E., Marx, W., Alameda, L., Dean, O.M., Cotton, S.M., Berk, M. and Turner, A., 2022. The influence of childhood trauma on the treatment outcomes of pharmacological and/or psychological interventions for adolescents and adults with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 296, pp.350-362.
Wrobel, A.L., Russell, S.E., Jayasinghe, A., Lotfaliany, M., Turner, A., Dean, O.M., Cotton, S.M., Diaz‐Byrd, C., Yocum, A.K., Duval, E.R. and Ehrlich, T.J., 2022. Attachment insecurity partially mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 145(6), pp.591-603.
Wrobel, A.L., Cotton, S.M., Jayasinghe, A., Diaz‐Byrd, C., Yocum, A.K., Turner, A., Dean, O.M., Russell, S.E., Duval, E.R., Ehrlich, T.J. and Marshall, D.F., 2023. Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder: a network analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 147(3), pp.286-300.
Karambelas, G.J., Allott, K.A., Byrne, L.K., Jayasinghe, A., Hasty, M., Macneil, C., Watson, A.E., Filia, K. and Cotton, S.M., 2024. A comparison of challenging and positive caregiving experiences for caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 18, p.100840.
Karambelas, G.J., Filia, K., Byrne, L.K., Allott, K.A., Jayasinghe, A. and Cotton, S.M., 2022. A systematic review comparing caregiver burden and psychological functioning in caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorders. BMC psychiatry, 22(1), p.422.
Begin a conversation
If you’d like to learn more about working together, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute call.
It’s a chance to tell me a little about what’s brought you to therapy, ask any questions you have and see whether I might be the right psychologist for you.