DR NATALJA NABINGER DE DIAZ
Clinical Psychologist.
PhD (ClinPsy), MPsy (Equiv), BA (Hons, Psy Sci), BA (Crim Jus), MAPS, FCCLP
Dr Nat is a registered Clinical Psychologist and published research author. She has completed the Master in clinical psychology in 2021 and her PhD in clinical psychology at Griffith University in 2022. Natalja is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society as well as the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development.
Dr Nat has a person-centered approach to working with her clients and uses a range of therapies, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), self-compassion and mindfulness-based interventions to help her clients with their wellbeing. She is also currently in her second year of training in intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP), a brief therapeutic approach that is effective for most mental health concerns and in treating persistent psychological problems.
Dr Nat has experience delivering evidence-based psychological interventions across a range of client presenting problems in private, hospital, school, and research settings. She works with teenagers (12+) and adults of all ages across a range of presenting problems. She is passionate about working collaboratively with her clients to overcome their internal conflicts and to help them to develop skills to improve their own wellbeing. She also enjoys working with couples to help them overcome their relationship problems and develop a stronger relationship and effective communication, as well as with parents to help improve their parenting skills and capacity to be better able to support their children with their emotional or behavioural problems.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
Dr Nat assists clients of all ages to develop psychological skills based on their individual needs and strengths for overcoming life challenges, increasing life satisfaction, and realising their unique potential. Her main areas of specialisation include anxiety & mood disorders and problems related to trauma, including:
(Neuro-)Developmental Disorders, including ADHD and ASD
Anxiety & Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Depression & Bipolar Disorders
Stress & Burnout
Anger Management
Personality Disorders
Adjustment & Trauma
Grief & Loss
As a client-centered practitioner, Dr Nat draws from a range of evidence-based approaches according to each client’s individual needs, preferences, and strengths. She implements methods to instill self-understanding among clients and encourages them to adopt new attitudes and feelings towards life situations.
It is essential to keep in mind that therapy is not a magic pill or a quick fix: therapy is a healing process that necessitates participation and investment from the client and/or caretaker alike. But in the end, making small changes to self-defeating behaviour and coping with strong emotions and pain can help to bring about life-altering changes.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
Dr Nat's therapeutic approaches may include:
​
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Intensive Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy (ISTDP; 2nd year in training)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Self-regulation skills based on Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness & Mindful Parenting
Attachment & Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Gottman Couples Therapy (Level 1 training completed)
PROFESSIONAL & EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
DR NAT'S PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Relevant Experiences
November 2023 - now
GOTTMAN COUPLES THERAPY
Dr Nat is currently receiving training & supervision for the Gottman's couple therapy method. She has completed the Level 1 training and will continue with Level 2 & 3 trainings in 2024.
February 2022 - now
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT MINDTREE PSYCHOLOGY
Natalja is currently practicing as a Psychologist at a private practice, MindTree Psychology, in Mermaid Beach, QLD, Australia.
April 2023
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST REGISTRATION
Natalja is a fully registered Clinical Psychologist (AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002174305).
March 2022 - September 2023
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT MINDHACK. PSYCHOLOGY
Natalja practised as a Psychologist at a private practice, mindhack. Psychology in Southport and Ashmore, QLD, Australia.
February 2022 - April 2023
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY REGISTRAR
Natalja completed the AHPRA Clinical Psychologist Registrar program.
January 2022 - now
INTENSIVE SHORT-TERM PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPSIST TRAINING
Natalja is currently receiving training & supervision in ISTDP and psychodynamic therapy
January 2022
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGIST REGISTRATION
Natalja is a fully registered General Psychologist (AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002174305).
February 2020 - December 2021
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERN
Clinical psychology internships:
- Psychology Clinic, Griffith UniversityÂ
- Gold Coast University Hospital, Acute Adult Inpatient Mental HealthÂ
- Nyunga Centre for Families and Students
- Marymount College
November 2020 - now
CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECT COORDINATOR & CLINICIAN
Natalja works as a clinical research clinic coordinator & clinician at the Child OCD and Phobia Clinic at Griffith University. She currently works with lead investigator Prof Lara Farrell on the following research trials:
- POP! Preschoolers overcoming phobias
- OCD Busters
- Mindful Parenting for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
September 2017 - November 2020
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Natalja has worked across multiple research projects of her PhD supervisors (Prof L. Farrell, Dr L.M. Emerson, Prof A. Waters) and other researchers at Griffith University, including:
- School-based mindfulness intervention for Prep & Year 1 students
Project Management and psychological assessments
- Preschoolers Overcoming Phobias (POP!)
Diagnostic and psychological assessments
- Systematic review of school-based mindfulness interventions
- OCD Busters data management
February 2018 -
December 2020
ACADEMIC TUTOR
Natalja enjoyed teaching psychology undergraduate students at Griffith University. She was an academic tutor for a first year course that introduces cognitive & behavioural psychology; and a third year course that introduced abnormal psychology and diagnosis.
MY EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
February 2018 - March 2023
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Natalja completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and was conferred in July 2023. Her PhD project focused on an in-person and online mindfulness-based parenting intervention designed to support the wellbeing of parents of children with anxiety disorders.
February 2020 - December 2021
MASTERÂ IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
As part of the combined Clinical PhD program at Griffith University, Natalja has completed the Master in Clinical Psychology program. This included working with people across the lifespan during internships at:
- Griffith University Psychology Clinic at the Gold Coast campus
- QLD Health, Gold Coast University Hospital, Acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health Ward
- Nyunga Centre for Child and Family Support
- Marymount College Guidance Counselling
February 2017 - December 2017
BACHELOR (HONOURS) IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Natalja completed her Honours degree with Class I. Her honours research project focused on the prevalence and role of sleep-related problems in cognitive-behavioural therapy outcomes for children and teens with obsessive-compulsive disorders.
February 2013 - December 2016
BACHELOR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Natalja completed a double bachelor program at Griffith University.
February 2013 - December 2016
BACHELOR IN CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Natalja completed a double bachelor program at Griffith University.
Germany
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
Natalja completed her primary and secondary school education in Germany.