Paris Baker.

Somatic. Practical. Embodied.

Paris is a registered psychologist who completed a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Tasmania. She is currently completing her clinical registrar program to become a clinical psychologist. Paris is also a yoga teacher, a strength and conditioning coach, and certified functional and therapeutic breathwork coach; her work focuses on combining these aspects through reconnection between the mind and body. She has a relaxed and directive approach to therapy, with the belief that the human connection comes first.

After working in residential support for youth and adolescence, she started her journey of becoming a registered psychologist. Paris has worked in a variety of government and not-for-profit organisations, working largely with first responders and individuals who have experienced a fracturing of safety and connection within their interpersonal relationships. Through her work with individuals who have experienced some form of trauma, she has become particularly interested in exploring methods of reconnecting with the body, as well as nurturing the nervous system.

Paris believes that authentic and safe connection is the most important thing in life. She therefore endeavours to create a sensitive and collaborative therapeutic relationship for clients to engage in meaningful personal exploration. Further than this, Paris is passionate about supportive, healthy, and effective communication within relationships. She believes that communicating openly and clearly – both with ourselves and with others – is incredibly important for a fulfilling, connected, and full life. Even more than this, Paris believes that connected relationships are what make our lives a life we love living, even when things are hard.

Paris loves being physically active and healthy, also enjoying connecting with nature and travelling the world. Through lived experience, Paris has learnt the importance of daily practices that connect her with her body, such as focused breathing, mindfulness, and yoga, and loves to incorporate play and a bit of silliness into her day-to-day life. She finds being a big kid is fun! Especially when she gets to see her golden retriever flopping around at the beach.

Paris believes that in order to create lasting and meaningful change, it is important to start to engage in our lives in our different way – her ideal client is therefore one who is willing to apply the tools, information, and understanding in session and outside of session.

Paris has a particular interest in:

·      Supporting clients to implement a holistic approach to health through inclusion of foundational elements of wellbeing (social connection, nutrition, movement, nature exposure, healthy nervous system, sleep, sound mindset)

·      First responder support and critical incident debrief

·      Child and adolescent mental health (10yo+)

·      Supporting individuals in creating safe, healthy, and supportive relationships; specifically, through supporting an understanding of attachment (& other self-protective) patterns, to empower us to create safety, security and wellbeing in our lives and relationships.

·      Finding methods of reconnecting with the self, with a particular focus on body-based modalities (e.g., movement, safe connection, physiological grounding), and understanding how historical patterns influence present moment experiences

·      Enhancing performance (e.g., work, athletic, focus, mental clarity, etc); implementing mindset, visualisation, and nervous system regulation techniques.