Dr Joseph Sakdalan

Senior Clinical Psychologist

  • BScPsych MACounsPsych MPH MD PhD(CPsych)
Dr Joseph Sakdalan

Clinical Expertise

  • Forensic Disability
  • Forensic Mental Health
  • Forensic risk assessments
  • Neuropsychological Assessments
  • Assessment and treatment of individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Assessment and treatment of Complex Trauma
  • Offender Assessment and Treatment
  • Personality Disorders
  • Expert witness work

Treatment Approaches

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Schema Focused Therapy.
  • Contemporary Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

Location & Availability

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
North Melbourne - - North Melbourne -

About

Dr Joseph Sakdalan is an AHPRA Registered Psychologist with endorsements in clinical psychology, counselling psychology and clinical neuropsychology. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists. Dr Sakdalan has extensive experience carrying out cognitive and neuropsychological, specialist assessments (e.g., ABI, ADHD, ASD, etc.) and forensic psychological assessments. He has more than 25 years of clinical experience working with clients with complex presentations such as mental health issues, intellectual/cognitive problems, neurodevelopmental disorders, personality issues, complex trauma, offending behaviours (e.g., violent offending, sexual offending, stalking, etc.), sexual abuse, and substance use issues.

Dr Sakdalan has pioneered the development of offence-specific and offence-related programs for offenders with a cognitive impairment or intellectual disability, which have been implemented locally and internationally. He has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in forensic disability and forensic mental health. He has been an expert witness and has provided expert testimony at the Australian and NZ Courts.

Dr Sakdalan is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Problem Behaviour Program, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).

Joseph has worked with clients coming from diverse cultural backgrounds and he approaches clients with empathy, compassion, and validation. He values developing a good therapeutic relationship with his clients and helping them develop insight and skills to address psychological difficulties and live more meaningful lives.

Joseph has more than 25 years of clinical experience working within primary care, community and inpatient mental health, and forensic mental health settings in New Zealand and Australia. Joseph has extensive experience working with clients with complex presentations such as mental health issues, intellectual/cognitive problems, developmental disabilities, personality issues, complex trauma, problematic behaviours (e.g., violent offending, sexual offending, etc.), sexual abuse, and substance use issues. Joseph works with clients who have issues with depression, anxiety, and serious mental health issues (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.), adjustment problems/life stresses, self-esteem/self-confidence issues, interpersonal and relationship issues, grief, offending behaviours, anger and mood/emotional regulation issues.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science Major in Psychology
  • Master of Arts Major in Counseling Psychology
  • Master of Public Health
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Neuroassessment
  • Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychiatry
  • Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Philosophy Major in Clinical Psychology