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Lana Sussman

BSW, MA (Drama & Movement Therapy)

Lana combines clinical knowledge with creativity, helping clients feel seen, understood and supported as they explore new ways of relating to themselves, their bodies and the people in their lives.

Medicare Rebates Available

About Lana

Lana brings a rich and integrative skill set to her therapeutic work, drawing from both evidence-based psychological approaches and creative, embodied practices. Her training in Social Work provides a strong foundation in trauma-informed, relational, and systemic practice, enabling her to support individuals, couples, and families with sensitivity to the broader contexts of their lives.

Through her Masters in Drama and Movement Therapy, Lana incorporates creative and body-based methods that help clients access emotions, memories, and insights that may be difficult to express through words alone. By integrating drama, movement, storytelling, ritual and visual art into the therapeutic process, Lana creates opportunities for clients to explore their inner experiences in ways that feel safe, meaningful and deeply personal.

Across all of her work, Lana’s approach is warm, curious and collaborative. She combines clinical knowledge with creativity, helping clients feel seen, understood and supported as they explore new ways of relating to themselves, their bodies and the people in their lives.

Services

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  • I offer individual therapy for adults seeking support with emotional wellbeing, relationships, body image, and life transitions.

    My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing from psychotherapy, EMDR, and creative, body-based practices. Together, we create a space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and gently explore what may be held both in the mind and the body.

  • I work with couples at all stages of their relationship — whether you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or navigating a significant transition.

    Couples therapy offers a space to slow down patterns, understand each other more deeply, and explore new ways of relating.

    I draw from relational, attachment-based, and evidence-based approaches (including Gottman-informed work) to support couples in:

    • Improving communication

    • Repairing trust and connection

    • Navigating conflict

    • Making thoughtful decisions about the future of the relationship

    My role is not to take sides, but to help create a more conscious, respectful, and emotionally attuned dynamic between you.

  • I facilitate workshops and group experiences that bring together psychotherapy, movement, and creative expression.

    These spaces invite participants to explore their inner world in ways that go beyond words — through body awareness, storytelling, and shared experience.

    Workshops may focus on themes such as:

    • Body image and embodiment

    • Emotional resilience

    • Identity and self-expression

    • Connection and community

    My facilitation style is warm, engaging, and attuned, creating spaces that feel both safe and alive.

  • I design and facilitate retreats that offer a deeper, more immersive experience of reflection, connection, and renewal.

    Retreats often integrate:

    • Therapeutic group processes

    • Movement and embodiment practices

    • Creative and reflective exercises

    • Rest, nature, and nourishment

    These experiences are an opportunity to step out of the pace of everyday life and reconnect with yourself and others in a meaningful way.

  • I offer tailored workshops and facilitated experiences for organisations, schools, and teams.

    These sessions are designed to support:

    • Emotional intelligence and communication

    • Team connection and cohesion

    • Reflective practice

    • Wellbeing in the workplace

    Drawing on both clinical and creative approaches, I create engaging and experiential learning environments that support both personal and professional growth.

  • I provide supervision for therapists, social workers, and helping professionals seeking a reflective, supportive space for their work.

    My approach to supervision is collaborative and integrative, supporting you to:

    • Reflect on clinical work and challenges

    • Deepen your therapeutic thinking

    • Explore the relational and emotional dynamics of your work

    • Sustain yourself in meaningful and demanding roles

    Supervision can incorporate both traditional reflective dialogue and creative approaches where helpful.

  • I offer integrative psychotherapy that includes Dramatherapy and Movement Therapy — creative, body-based approaches that support emotional expression and deeper self-understanding.

    This work may include movement, storytelling, role exploration, and symbolic or creative processes, alongside traditional talking therapy.

    I work with adults, children, and groups, tailoring each session to the individual. No prior experience with creative work is needed — sessions are guided gently and at your own pace.

Qualifications & Professional Training

  • BA Social Work – University of New South Wales

  • MA Drama & Movement Therapy – Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London

  • EMDR Accredited Practitioner

  • Body Positive Counselling Certificate

  • CBT-E for Eating Disorders (Certified)

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Training

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1

  • NEDC Approved Mental Health Practitioner

Therapeutic Approaches

Lana works with a range of therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, body-based and creative practices, and parts-based therapy, tailored to each client’s needs.

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Perinatal & Parenting Support

Lana co-founded The Parent’s Village, a counselling and support service for new and expecting parents.

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Follow Lana on Instagram

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime!

  • Yes. Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan.

  • Yes. Lana facilitates group programs, workshops, and community events. Get in touch via the contact form below to find out more.

  • You can use the contact form below, or contact Lana directly to discuss availability and suitability.

    Phone: 0413 389 620

    Email: Lana@theparentsvillage.com.au

  • Sessions are available via:

    • Telehealth (online)

    • In-person sessions in Sydney’s eastern suburbs (by request)

  • No. Therapy is paced according to the client’s needs and does not require detailed recounting of traumatic experiences. Alternative approaches may be used where appropriate.

  • Lana works with a range of concerns, including:

    • Trauma and post-traumatic stress

    • Grief and loss

    • Anxiety and stress

    • Relationship and family challenges

    • Identity changes and life transitions

    • Body image concerns

  • Sessions are suitable for:

    • Children and young people

    • Adults

    • Couples

    • Families

  • Lana is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW). She holds a Master’s degree in Drama and Movement Therapy from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, and has over 20 years of clinical experience.

  • Lana integrates a range of evidence-based and experiential approaches, including:

    • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Gottman Method (Level One) for couples

    • Arts psychotherapy

    • Drama and movement therapy

    • Psychodynamic frameworks

Get In Touch

Fill out some info and Lana will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!


Alternatively, contact Lana through her details below:

Email: lana@lanasussman.com

Phone: +61 413 389 620