AVNEE LAGAD

Avnee Lagad
Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), M.

Avnee is a warm and empathetic psychologist who is passionate about helping her clients navigate their emotional and physical challenges. Avnee has a specific interest in supporting adolescents and adults living with a chronic illness, with experience across Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. In particular, Avnee works with patients, carers, and family members with cancer, haematological disorders, neurological disorders, auto-immune conditions, chronic pain, fatigue and POTS. She also enjoys supporting clients to manage unhelpful patterns relating to perfectionism, self-criticism, and people pleasing.

Avnee provides evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s needs, with a balance of both practical strategies and developing deeper insight into the origins of emotional challenges. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness-based therapies. Avnee holds a Master of Clinical Psychology and Bachelor of Psychology with 1st Class Honours. She is an AHPRA Board-Approved Supervisor, and is a member of the Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group.

Avnee can assist with

● Anxiety disorders

● Low mood and depression

● Stress management

● Academic or workplace issues

● Grief and loss

● Carer support

● Coping with chronic illness

● Relationship and dating concerns

● Sexual/intimacy difficulties (including genito-pelvic conditions e.g. vaginismus)

● Insomnia and sleep difficulties

The POTS Psychology Clinic

Avnee is the Lead Clinical Psychologist at the POTS Psychology Clinic at HeadwayHealth. Avnee has a strong interest in helping individuals with POTS feel better supported in managing the condition. She provides a range of psychological interventions to help clients navigate the emotional impact of POTS, including coping with health-related uncertainty and anxiety, medical gaslighting, identity changes, grief, and challenges with lifestyle modifications such as pacing. She works closely with POTS-aware GPs and specialists to provide holistic and high-quality care, based on the latest research.

Publications: Lagad A, Hodgkinson K, Newton-John T. Is ignorance bliss, or is knowledge power? When cancer healthcare professionals become cancer patients. European J of Ca Care 28(2) Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019 Jul;28(4):e13066 doi: 10.1111/ecc.13066. Epub 2019 Apr 24.