About The Studio
Tender Studio is a safe and peaceful space, focused on helping you slow down in order to find comfort, hope, and self-compassion in the complexities and messiness of life.
Psychology, due to its evidence-based nature, is traditionally known for its cold and clinical approach - psychologists are seen as the expert and a separate, impersonal relationship to the client is viewed as most efficient. As a deeply warm, deeply loving person, this has always made little sense to me in terms of achieving change.
Instead, I have found that it is within authentic connection, safe spaces, and tenderness that true transformation takes place. Tender Studio provides a space to reclaim the vulnerability that make us human, to view uncomfortable emotions as essential signals for what we value, to develop deep understanding and acceptance for ourselves, and to live according to what truly matters to us.
About The Psychologist
Hi! I'm Britt.
I dreamt of one day providing a space where people could have permission to 'feel all of it'; where people could un-learn what the world has told them what it means to be successful; and where people could safely process all thoughts and feelings without judgement or the sense that someone was moulding them.
Psychology for me is less about a diagnosis and more about being able to show up exactly as you are. I am passionate about the transforming effects of being seen and heard.
I believe wholeheartedly that opening yourself up to vulnerability and acceptance in the therapy room is the front door to doing the same everyday thereafter.
It is my honour to walk with you as you write your story.
Get To Know Us
Check out these guest appearances on the first two episodes of Real Talk TV from August 2020 to get a feel of Tender Studio.
You can also check us out on Episode 8 of the Seasons podcast with our beautiful friend Beth Parkes (no longer available on Spotify - but we've uploaded the MP3 on this page for you to listen to!)
The Formal Stuff
Brittany Van de Straat
BPsych Hons | MClinPsych
Registered Psychologist | PSY0002101617
I'm a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). I completed my Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of Wollongong, and my Master of Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University.
I'm a registered Medicare provider (Provider Number: 5657603Y), meaning that you are able to claim Medicare rebates with Tender Studio Psychology.
Outside of the Therapy Room
Alongside being a psychologist, I am a wife and mum in my thirties; an extrovert, ENFJ, and Enneagram Type 7; a personality test junkie, film nerd, and podcast fiend. Recently, I've found creative outlets in graphic design and photography, despite being an amateur at both.
Outside of the studio, I spend most of my time with my husband and our son, pastoring young people at my church, scoping out the best avo on toast, or around the table at home with a good meal and great company. I don't take myself too seriously and laugh at myself frequently, and appreciate when others laugh at me too. This is your invitation to do so as well.
