Samuel Ma

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

BPsych(Hons I), MClinPsych, MAPS, MACPA

Samuel is the Principal Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Hearth Clinical Psychology. He is a dedicated clinician that empowers his clients through an evidence-based treatment approach that is deeply sensitive to individual needs. Samuel has previously worked at Sydney Local Health District’s Employee Assistance Program across Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Concord Repatriation General Hospital. He supported the psychological wellbeing of healthcare staff, with an interest in work-related burnout, grief and trauma. Samuel has also practiced at the University of Sydney’s Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic. Across the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney areas, he implemented a specialised cognitive therapy program to support individuals and families living with gambling harm.

Prior to working in public health and the university sector, Samuel consulted in group private practices across the Lower North Shore and St George areas of Sydney. There, he coordinated with General Practitioners to deliver psychological care through Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans. Clients commonly sought support for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma-related difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Samuel’s postgraduate training is from the Australian National University where he completed secondments to CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn and The Canberra Hospital.

Professional Credentials and Affiliations

Clinical Psychologist registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (Ahpra)
Medicare Provider under the Better Access Scheme (Mental Health Treatment Plans)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Class I) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Master of Clinical Psychology from the Australian National University (ANU)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society and the Disaster Response Network
Member of the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association

Areas of Expertise

Samuel has expertise and practices extensively with adults seeking support for:

Depression or otherwise pervasive low mood

Anxiety conditions, including generalised anxiety, social phobia, panic disorder and agroaphobia

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder

Complex trauma

Gambling harm and relevant behaviour change
Occupational burnout
Carer or compassion fatigue

Relationship and interpersonal stress

Major life transitions and adjustment difficulties

Samuel has received postgraduate training and undergoes continuous professional development across the following therapies:

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Motivational Interviewing

Clinical Ethos

Samuel conveys a compassionate and calming therapeutic presence where individual concerns are actively heard. Each conversation is collaborative, respectful, and with integrity in mind. Samuel is growth-oriented, driven to support every person thrive in alignment with their goals and values. People of diverse backgrounds are embraced with the belief that each interaction is an opportunity for learning. Importantly, Samuel’s practice is evidence-based, and driven to share therapeutic tools and insights with a high level of fidelity to current research and best practice models of care.