Meeting Dr Sarah Fischer: The Person Behind Behavioural Edge Psychology

If you are reading this, you might be considering therapy for the first time, searching for a psychologist who truly understands contemporary life stress, or perhaps you are an existing client curious to know more about the person sitting across from you in sessions. Either way, I am glad you are here.

My name is Sarah Fischer, and I am the Principal Psychologist at Behavioural Edge Psychology. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself properly, not just with credentials and qualifications (though we will get to those), but as a person who genuinely cares about the work we do together.

The Journey Here

Like many psychologists, I did not stumble into this field by accident. I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology because I was fascinated by what makes organisations and people thrive. I became a registered psychologist with AHPRA endorsement in organisational psychology.

In 2023, I completed my PhD, researching topics that have become central to my work: leadership, psychological safety, trust at work, and how organisations navigate change. These are not just academic interests for me. They are the threads that connect everything I do, from individual therapy to workplace assessments.

From Boardrooms to Consulting Rooms

Before founding Behavioural Edge Psychology, I held executive leadership positions at Safer Care Victoria. As Director of Clinical Governance, Culture, and Capability, and Acting Executive Director of Safety, I led transformational initiatives across all 76 of Victoria's public health services. I managed multi-million dollar programmes, coached board members and executives, and developed frameworks for improving safety culture that are now used across the country.

It was meaningful work. Important work. But something was missing.

I could see the statistics, the patterns, the systemic issues. But I also saw the individuals: managers burning out under impossible demands, healthcare workers carrying vicarious trauma home, leaders struggling to maintain their humanity whilst navigating institutional pressures. I realised that whilst systems-level change is crucial, I wanted to be in the room with those individuals, helping them navigate their unique challenges.

That is what brought me to private practice.

Two Worlds, One Approach

Today, I maintain a foot in both worlds. I run Behavioural Edge Psychology from two locations (Caulfield South and St Kilda) and via telehealth, serving clients across Victoria and beyond. I also continue as Wellbeing Manager at the Victorian Bar, supporting over 2,300 barristers through the unique psychological demands of legal practice.

This dual role is not accidental. It keeps me connected to the systemic realities of workplace mental health whilst allowing me to provide the individualised, trauma-informed care that makes a real difference in people's lives.

What You Can Expect

If you are wondering what it is like to work with me, here is what matters most:

I do not believe in one-size-fits-all psychology. Your experience is unique, and your therapy should be too. I draw from multiple evidence-based approaches (trauma-informed frameworks, cognitive-behavioural and dialectical-behavioural therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy, somatic interventions) and tailor them to what you actually need.

I understand the complexity of adult life. My clients are often juggling demanding careers, families, interpersonal relationship challenges, late identified neurodivergence, workplace trauma, or simply trying to understand why they have always felt different. I get it. I have seen these patterns from multiple angles, and I know how to help you navigate them.

I see individuals within systems. Having worked at the executive level, I understand that your distress is not happening in a vacuum. Sometimes, the "problem" is not you at all, but the system you are in. I will help you see the bigger picture whilst developing practical strategies for your immediate concerns.

What I Specialise In

My practice has several core areas:

·      Individual therapy for adults dealing with stress, burnout, trauma, anxiety, depression, and career challenges.

·      Adult neurodivergent assessments, particularly for those who have reached adulthood wondering why they have always felt different (this is especially common for women and people who have developed sophisticated masking strategies).

·      Workplace psychological assessments, including psychosocial incident evaluations for legal matters, workers' compensation cases, and Fair Work proceedings

·      Fitness-to-work and return-to-work assessments that balance organisational needs with individual wellbeing.

·      Organisational psychology consulting for businesses serious about workplace psychological safety.

I am also a NDIS registered provider and continuously expanding my trauma-informed practice to ensure comprehensive care is accessible to those who need it most.

Beyond the Credentials

Here is what you will not find in my CV, but what matters just as much:

I am endlessly curious about the intersection of evidence-based practice and holistic healing. I bring that curiosity into my work because I believe healing happens not just through clinical interventions, but through being truly seen, understood, and met where you are.

When I am not in session, I am usually working on practice development, contributing to professional psychology communities, staying current with research, or spending time with my friends and family: my husband, daughters, and three dogs who keep me grounded in what matters most.

An Invitation

Whether you are here because you are struggling with workplace stress, questioning if you might be neurodivergent, healing from trauma, or simply feeling stuck, I want you to know this: you are not alone, and there is a path forward.

If you are looking for a psychologist who combines executive-level understanding of workplace dynamics with intimate clinical care, who offers specialised expertise with flexible thinking, and who brings professional excellence alongside human warmth, I would be honoured to support your journey.

You are extraordinary. Let me help keep you that way.

Ready to take the next step?

You can book an appointment through my online booking system or reach me directly at sarah.fischer@behaviouraledgepsychology.com.

I work from two locations:

• 223 North Road, Caulfield South VIC 3162

• 22 Alma Road, St Kilda VIC 3182

Telehealth appointments are also available via video conference and telephone.

I am a registered provider with Medicare (Better Access Initiative), WorkSafe Victoria (WorkCover), and the NDIS, and I hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance through Aon.

I look forward to meeting you.

Dr Sarah Fischer

Principal Psychologist

Behavioural Edge Psychology