Interview completed and written by Kirsten Hertog, UNSW psychology undergraduate and content creator at Inlight Psychology.
Megan Klass is a psychologist at Inlight Psychology. She has a Masters in Clinical Psychology, and is a highly attuned and empathic therapist.
Megan places so much importance on the therapeutic relationship and creating a safe environment for the people she works with.
Megan utilises evidence based and trauma-informed therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema therapy and Mindfulness.
Kirsten: What inspired you to pursue a career in clinical psychology?
Megan: I have had an immense interest in people as long as I can remember. I’m so interested in how the mind works, what makes people tick and how childhood experiences can have a huge impact on our lifetime trajectory. I have always enjoyed connecting with people, listening and really being able to meet people where they are, to walk with them, their journey and challenges. So, I think it was the combination of both my interests and my strengths that led to me wanting to assist people in being able to live better lives and to make sense of difficult experiences.
K: I think it's so true what you're saying in terms of your strengths and your skills. You have such a gentle and kind way of interacting with others and, I can imagine that people would feel comfortable talking with you.
M: I really hope to create a space where clients feel as comfortable as possible in therapy. For some people, opening up and being vulnerable comes easily, but for others, it can be quite uncomfortable and daunting. So, I really try my best to facilitate an open and supportive space.
K: It really does start with creating a safe and comfortable space. So, you found that passion for connecting with others, and you realised you wanted to be a psychologist. What has your journey to getting where you are now involved?
M: I completed my psychology undergraduate and honours studies here in Sydney. Despite the complexities of the degree, I really enjoyed learning about a variety of topics, including developmental psychology, psychopathology and health psychology. After completing my honours studies, I commenced my Master of Clinical Psychology. My thesis focused on post-traumatic growth, exploring how individuals can grow out of traumatic experiences, which was very interesting to research.
Learning the theory was important but ultimately, I grew the most through the hands-on experience. I volunteered with the Black Dog Institute and did crisis support work with Lifeline during my undergraduate studies. These experiences prepared me for the incredible placements I completed during my master’s program, including roles at a university psychology clinic, private mental health hospital, and the Child Behaviour Research Clinic at the University of Sydney. I learned so much from all those experiences, which have all led to me being a psychologist here at Inlight Psychology today.
K: You've had these incredible experiences, whether volunteering at Black Dog or researching post- traumatic growth. Which modalities and psychological approaches have those experiences guided you towards using within therapy?
M: I have come to realise that cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most evidence-based therapies for a reason. There is so much power in focusing on the here and now. I love that it's present-day focused and it can be very grounding for a person to explore the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In addition to that, I have found great value in using dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and schema therapy. I particularly appreciate DBT’s practical nature with a focus on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and building healthy relationships. ACT helps people align with their values, while schema therapy addresses unmet childhood needs and helps in developing healthier patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Together, these modalities inform the tailored treatment I aim to offer, grounded in a strengths-based approach that helps clients connect with their values and what matters most to them.
K: It is really nice hearing you talk about how passionate you are about having a strengths-based approach and positive psychology. I can imagine that sometimes you might see clients who have been in therapy for so long and have always had to be talking about their symptoms, struggles and trauma. Whilst this can be incredibly valuable, I can see how at some point it might actually be much more valuable to focus on their strengths, their resilience, their underlying passions and goals as opposed to only ever focusing on what has happened to them or what is ‘wrong with them’.
M: There really is so much power in exactly that. I often like to ask clients, ‘what have you done to get to this stage?’ and I remind them of all they have done to keep themselves going despite all they have been through. I aim to highlight their inherent strengths and qualities with the intention of being able to build from there. Sometimes in therapy, there's an assumption that we're starting from scratch or don't know where to begin but, often we can begin focusing on what you already have in place, what strengths already reside within you and then building up your toolkit from there.
K: We can so easily forget those incredibly resilient parts of ourselves, especially when we're in the middle of a mental health crisis. The word that's coming to mind for me is ‘empowerment’. It's clear to me that you, as a therapist, are very empowering.
M: I hope so. I endeavour to empower others. People come to therapy during a really challenging moment in their life and it can be in those moments that people often forget their greatest strengths and qualities which are truly to be cherished.
K: So, with this strengths-based approach and this intention to empower others, what does a typical session with you look like?
M: There really is no typical session! There's so much variation. I think it depends on where the client's at, where they're at in terms of their emotions and their motivation for change. I really try and reflect on what's coming up for the client in the room and try to be as client-led as possible. I make sure that we're on the same page and we are walking the journey of therapy together. Ultimately, they are the master of their life. I once heard this beautiful metaphor about the psychologist and the client both climbing separate mountains. Whilst I'm not climbing the same mountain, I can see where you are as you're walking up your mountain and I am walking up mine. My goal is to be able to lead you up that mountain and to make sure you aren’t getting lost along the way, empowering you to walk your own path but knowing that it is up to you to take each step along the way. I think that really captures what it means to be client-led. I really love to check in with clients about where they're at and how they're feeling along the way, being open to feedback and making changes when needed.
K: It sounds to me like you arrive at the sessions with an openness and flexibility, accepting your own intuition as a psychologist and trusting how the process is going to go based on how the client presents that day.
M: Absolutely. I think it's about meeting the client where they're at and being able to tailor things, but also having ideas in mind as to how I could be of assistance. Not every strategy is going to work for everyone; it is okay to go back to the drawing board to brainstorm, discuss and explore a different path forward. Instead of viewing this as an obstacle, I encourage clients to approach these moments with curiosity and interest, seeing them as opportunities for self-discovery, growth, and development.
K: It seems like there is almost a fluidity required to meet the client where they are. When needing to somewhat ‘go with the flow’, how do you measure or evaluate progress in therapy?
M: What we measure in therapy can vary depending on what's important to the client. While many therapeutic approaches focus on symptom relief, simply reducing symptoms doesn’t always capture the full picture of progress. In my personal and clinical opinion, that can be a bit too simplistic. Progress also involves assessing whether the client is connecting more with their values and experiencing a greater sense of purpose. Sometimes, processing difficult experiences doesn't necessarily translate to symptom reduction. When reflecting on the outcomes of therapy, I consider questions like: ‘How much is the client making the most of their daily experiences?’, ‘Are they connecting with family, friends, hobbies and leisure activities?’ and, ‘Has their functional capacity seen some improvement?’. There are many ways to measure progress, but it all comes down to checking in with the client about where they're at.
K: I am hearing that you really prioritise the client’s quality of life and their own perceptions of what progress looks like in therapy.
M: Yes, it really varies per person and defining progress is meant to be a collaborative process. So, while there's certainly place for objectivity and psychometric questionnaires, I think there's so much richness that comes from an interpersonal interaction that is lost in the questionnaires.
K: With that in mind, what's the most rewarding aspect of your work as a psychologist?
M: It can be such a profound moment for someone to feel safe to open up, and I feel very privileged to be trusted with their story. The therapeutic relationship and building that sense of trust whilst working toward a common goal is very special and I find so much joy in knowing that there is always more to learn within the field of psychology.
K: Within the clinic, you have quite a few clients who are at the end of adolescence or in their early adulthood. What have you found to be the most common mental health challenges you see in young people today?
M: Firstly, being a young person in today's world is tough! They face a lot of uncertainty, stress and external pressure relating to school and work. But also, many young people place a lot of internal pressure on themselves by setting exceptionally high standards that are hard to meet, so I work with them to identify the underlying beliefs driving these standards.
K: I hear you in terms of those feelings of uncertainty and, I think that is something that was very much exacerbated in young people during the Covid-19 pandemic. I can imagine that many students were faced with not quite knowing when they would be able to go back to school or when the next lockdown was to occur. However, one positive thing that has improved greatly because of the pandemic is the increased focus on telehealth and online therapy. What is your perspective on the integration of technology such as telehealth within psychology?
M: I'm a huge fan. I mean, there is something really special about a face-to-face appointment, especially since it can bring people out of their usual environment to connect with someone in-person. But, in terms of telehealth, I think it really does create greater access to services, especially for those who live in rural communities or who may find it quite difficult to leave their house. People who live busy lives may also find it much easier to do a telehealth session online as opposed to having to come into a clinic. In terms of the sessions that I've been having on telehealth, I haven't felt any difference in terms of therapeutic relationships or the effectiveness of therapy. But there's something special about coming to therapy in person, especially since the clinic here at Inlight Psychology is such a lovely environment.
K: It really is such a special place and, I can see how beneficial it would be for clients to visit the clinic in-person when possible. For those considering therapy, how would they know if they should seek help from a psychologist?
M: It is a very personal decision. For many people, it may be when they want to make a change in their life but feel stuck or unable to move forward. Sometimes behaviours that once helped us no longer serve us, and breaking lifelong habits and patterns can be challenging. Recognising the need for change is probably a strong indicator that it might be time to reach out. Life’s ups and downs can be tough, and no one should have to weather a storm on their own. If you feel you need a safe and supportive space to talk about difficult experiences, it may be a sign that seeing a psychologist could be beneficial.
K: Thinking back to what you said before about utilising a strengths-based approach, I imagine that someone who maybe can’t see their own strengths anymore, who might have lost their self-esteem, would really benefit from seeing someone like you as a therapist. Some of those clients might have, unfortunately, felt disempowered by a previous experience with psychologists. How do you engage with clients who have had a previous negative experience with therapy?
M: That's one of the first things I try and delve into within the first session. I think it is important to understand if a client has sought therapy before and what worked for them as well as what didn't. Then, I try and look at what we can do to ensure those same obstacles don't come up throughout our sessions together. I try and identify if there are certain issues they may find difficult to communicate with a therapist as well as what I can do to make sure the client is as comfortable as possible to share their story. I consider how I can make sure the client feels empowered to come to sessions and share their truth. I also try to acknowledge that there's no perfect therapist and no perfect therapeutic relationship. At the end of the day, it is about working through any challenges together in a safe and empowering way.
K: There may be some people reading this who have had those negative experiences in the past or who are struggling with their mental health but are hesitant to seek therapy. What words of wisdom would you want to share with them?
M: I would say that there is no need to feel any pressure about having to discuss something or sharing every detail of what you have experienced right away. As a psychologist, my primary goal is always to make sure that clients feel safe and comfortable so, we would never rush into discussing anything that may be too uncomfortable to talk about right away. On the other hand, you don't have to come to therapy being 100% ready for therapy, simply booking in for a first appointment is a huge step. Give it a try and see how it goes. Coming to therapy may feel like taking a big step outside of your comfort zone and that's okay. That's a positive thing. That means that we are creating space for change to happen whilst making sure you feel supported along the way.
K: It makes me think of the beautiful mountain metaphor you shared before, in which you are walking the path of therapy alongside each other, but the client is empowered to take their own steps. Booking in for that first session, is their first step up the mountain. Whilst the climb may seem daunting or uncomfortable at first, you empower them along the way to really reconnect to the life that they're wanting to live and who they truly are, one step at a time.
INLIGHT PSYCHOLOGY | BONDI JUNCTION
Megan Klass is offering therapy at Inlight Psychology, located in Bondi Junction. The team at Inlight Psychology works with a variety of concerns, including emotion regulation difficulties, anxiety, mood, relationship and interpersonal issues, eating and body image concerns, gender issues, grief, chronic health issues, and more. All our psychologists have tertiary qualifications in Clinical Psychology, as a minimum.
Inlight Psychology offers therapy in-person or via telehealth/video call.
If you would like to learn more about the team at Inlight Psychology, click here.
If you would like to book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact Inlight Psychology on (02) 8320 0566 or contact@inlightpsychology.com.au.
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