About Me
Hi there! Here is a little bit of info about me.
I’m a clinical psychologist & author with 25 years of experience working with adults with mental health concerns.
Throughout my career, my passion has been to help people build a life worth living. Now I want to ensure that every person has access to these strategies and skills that can improve their mental health and quality of life.
I have had the privilege to work in a number of settings including public mental health services, universities, in private practice, and within community and corporate organizations.
I love working with people individually and in groups but I am also very aware that there are many barriers to seeing a psychologist including time, money, location, other priorities & commitments, health issues and of course, stigma. And of course, not everyone needs to see a psychologist, but shouldn’t everyone have access to the same information, strategies & skills!? I think so!
And that is why I founded, “Skills for Life”—so that YOU have easy access to science-based skills and strategies that can help you reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental health, and gain confidence in managing and coping with the ups and downs of life.
“My mission is to give you access to quality mental health &
well-being tools, programs & resources that
empower you to make positive changes
in your life at home & at work.”
Dr. Lillian Nejad
Clinical Psychologist & Founder of Skills for Life & Contain Your Brain
Skills for Life. Skills for a Lifetime.
I love the challenge of creating courses that will give you what you need in a way that is user-friendly and easy to understand and implement.
Another creative outlet for me is writing books and mindfulness/relaxation exercises.
I’m the author of:
“Treating Stress and Anxiety: A Practitioner's Guide to Evidence-Based Approaches” (2008):
A book for mental health professionals about how to treat stress & anxiety with lots of handy worksheets for their clients
“Relaxation: Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Stress, and Enhance Well-Being” (2008):
A CD (or digital download) of seven relaxation exercises that hep reduce stress and anxiety
“Lifeblockers, the Sleep Edition” (2018):
A book containing the latest evidence-based strategies to overcome insomnia
Contributing articles
I’ve also had the pleasure of contributing to other author’s and journalist’s articles. My commentary have appeared in such esteemed publications as The Leadership Review, MINDFOOD magazine, Women’s Health & Fitness and The Sydney Morning Herald.
One of my favorite (and most anxiety-provoking) experiences was appearing on SEN+ “That Radio Show” as the resident psychologist introducing mental health skills and strategies to Australian and UK listeners in my “Lifeblockers” segment.
I have also tried my hand at podcasts with a limited series podcast, “Life Skills for Leaders”, in collaboration with Daniel Hakim, CEO of CUB, highlighting mental health issues that affect the workplace. And I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest on several podcasts including The You Project, Interview Boss, Catching up with CUB, Relentless: Life on Your Terms and Inside Social Work.
That’s enough about me professionally!
A Trusted Source of Psychological Knowledge
Dr. Lillian Nejad is an author, contributor, expert source & consultant in the following publications, media outlets & organizations. See media pages for links to articles, podcasts, books, & radio & television appearances.
Some personal info
I was born and raised in the U.S. but moved to Melbourne in my early 20s, married an Aussie, have two Aussie kids & an Aussie dog 😀
I LOVE the arts in all its forms, I go to concerts & the theatre as much as I can afford, and I am currently serving as an Advisory Board member of the Antipodes Theatre Company in Melbourne.
I am OBSESSED with the Australian Open tennis tournament where I fancy myself an amateur sports photographer, & living in Melbourne has made me a veritable foodie & coffee snob!
My Values
Evidence-based
I value science.
You can count on Skills for Life to be a reliable source for accurate, evidence-based information and strategies.
Courses are designed and delivered by Dr. Lillian Nejad, a clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience. Lillian’s skills training lessons include gold standard, scientifically-backed techniques and strategies derived from evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Positive Psychology.
Efficient
I value your time.
You will learn practical and effective skills and strategies that you can implement immediately at home and at work.
Skills for Life lessons will be delivered in short, digestible segments in audio or video formats and will also include helpful downloadable worksheets and additional audio exercises that will enhance your learning, practice and progress between sessions.
Ethical
I value integrity.
I will proceed with genuineness and I will not make false or exaggerated promises and claims about the program and the potential outcomes.
You can not “get rid of anxiety” or “always be happy." Skills for Life courses will teach you how to accept all aspects of the human experience and to use skills and strategies to improve your quality of life and your relationship with yourself and others.
Skills for Life courses are not a replacement for therapy. If you have problems, issues or concerns that are impacting your life severely and significantly, you are encouraged to seek professional assistance.
Engaging
I value you.
I want learning, changing and growing to be a positive experience for everyone involved. Your lessons will be engaging and accessible and contain quality content.
Feedback is welcomed and encouraged. I strive to not only deliver, but to also delight!
To find out more about my programs or to consult with me to create customised courses and workshops that address the mental health and well-being needs of your workplace, let’s talk!
Skills for Life Mission
Skills for Life helps you gain confidence in managing YOU through personalised online solutions and skills training that guide you toward the mental health and well-being tools that will work for you, at home and at work. Skills for Life aims to help you “Learn, Change & Grow” with evidence-based, efficient, ethical & engaging content and processes.
Learn. Change. Grow.
Three words that can transform your life.
Learn.
That means open yourself to opportunities to be uncomfortable & make lots of mistakes!
Change.
Learn how to make positive, lasting and meaningful changes that are important to you.
Grow.
The result of learning and changing is growth. This is where you find wisdom & truth and get to take pride in your personal best.
Learn, change, & grow with Skills for Life that you can use for a Lifetime.
Find out why 15,000 people have chosen to learn, change & grow with Skills for Life
Worry less. Live more.
A simple app that will change the way you worry.
