Angela Hernandez Saa (She/Her)
Holistic Psychologist and Psychotherapist
Illari comes from the Quechua word “Sunrise or To Shine”,
Originally from the Andes region, my worldview and therapeutic lens have been shaped by the influence of ancestral wisdom traditions, as well as embodied practices, particularly in their application to trauma healing and nervous system regulation. These influences inform the way I understand healing as a process that involves the body, mind, spirit, and community.
I believe in each individual’s innate ability to shine, to rise, to heal, and to grow. As an EMDR-accredited, Somatic and Parts-informed Psychologist, I work from an integrative mind-body approach to trauma recovery, using research-based techniques that support acceptance of adverse life experiences while gently fostering post-traumatic growth. I focus on the interconnectedness of body, mind, and nervous system, tailoring a trauma-informed approach to meet each client’s unique needs and preferences.
Clinical Experience
Over six years of practice in Australia and more than fifteen years of experience internationally, I have dedicated my career to health and wellbeing practices across diverse cultural and clinical contexts. My psychotherapeutic work incorporates a range of evidence-based and somatically oriented approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, ACT Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Polyvagal Therapy as well as Mindfulness based practices to support meaningful and sustainable healing.
I have extensive experience providing therapeutic support in varied settings and with diverse populations, including asylum seekers, humanitarian crises, forced displacement, and natural disasters.
Throughout my career, I have led groups and worked as a mentor, counsellor, mindfulness, meditation, and movement instructor. I continue to hold a strong commitment to social justice and collective wellbeing, and to promoting a more just, inclusive, and flourishing global community.
Medicare provider
Angela can provide clinical psychological services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, referred by a GP or psychiatrist.
Licenses and Memberships
General Psychologist, registered with Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency, Psychology Board of Australia
Licensed Clinical Counsellor - Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia.
Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Member of EMDR Association of Australia
Member of the Association of Ecuadorian Professional Psychologists
Education
Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Australia
BScience in Psychology, Ecuador/ USA
Endorsement as General Psychologist, Australia
Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Treatment
Certified in Trauma Informed Therapy
Certified in EMDR Therapy
Certified Yoga for Trauma Recovery and Trauma Informed Yoga, Australia
Certified Resource (Parts Informed) Therapy
Certified in Humanistic and Gestalt Therapy
Get Started
Services
I acknowledge the Kulin Nation people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where I live and work in Melbourne. I pay my respects to their Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people across the world.
I am committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and affirming therapeutic space for people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, neuro types, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally responsive, with care tailored to honour each person’s unique identity and lived experience.
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This complimentary 15-minute phone call offers a space to briefly discuss your needs, what you’re hoping to work on, and the type of therapeutic support you’re looking for. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about my approach and for us to explore whether working together feels like a good fit.
This call is not a therapy session and does not involve assessment or treatment, but rather a chance to connect, clarify next steps, and support you in making an informed decision about your care.
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A 60-minute session offers supportive space to explore what’s coming up for you at your own pace. Sessions may include EMDR, somatic (body-based) approaches, and parts-informed work to help regulate the nervous system, process difficult experiences, and build inner resources.
Each session is tailored to your needs, with a focus on safety, collaboration, and gentle healing.
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A 90-minute session allows for deeper therapeutic work with more time to settle, explore, and integrate. These extended sessions are especially supportive for EMDR, somatic (body-based) therapy, and parts-informed work, as they allow space for resourcing, processing, and grounding without feeling rushed.
Sessions are paced carefully and tailored to your needs, prioritising safety, nervous system regulation, and meaningful integration.
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These 60-minute sessions use gentle, trauma-informed yoga and somatic movement to support nervous system regulation, safety, and reconnection with the body. Practices are invitational, adaptable, and guided by choice, helping you build awareness, grounding, and resilience at your own pace.
Sessions integrate breath, mindful movement, rest, and reflection, and are suitable for people working with trauma, stress, or emotional overwhelm. No prior yoga experience is required.