About - Annabel Rolley | Performance Psychology

Welcome — and thank you for taking this important step.

My name is Annabel Rolley, and I’m a Registered Psychologist with a background that is anything but conventional and I believe that’s exactly what makes the work I do different.

Before becoming a psychologist, I lived the world of elite performance from the inside. I competed as a professional golfer, earned a Division I golf scholarship at the University of Tulsa, represented Australia on the international stage, and spent years in the United States as a television host and commentator for Golf Channel. I am a longstanding member of the PGA of Australia and a contributor to Australian Golf Digest. I know what it feels like to perform under pressure, to battle self-doubt on the biggest stages, and to have your identity deeply tied to your results.

It was that lived experience, combined with the journey of raising three children and completing three psychology degrees, that led me to where I am today: working at the intersection of performance and psychology, helping athletes, executives, and high performers build the mental skills to not just compete, but to thrive.

I work with professional and elite amateur athletes, corporate leaders, and individuals navigating high-pressure environments. My particular passion is sports and performance psychology, helping people break through the mental barriers that technique and talent alone cannot fix. Whether it’s managing performance anxiety, rebuilding confidence after setbacks, developing pre-competition routines, or finding the mental edge that separates good from great, this is the work I was made for.

I also support clients through broader psychological challenges, anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and the deep-rooted patterns that can hold even the most driven people back. My approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and always centred around you. I draw from Schema Therapy, CBT, ACT, and Internal Family Systems, tailoring the approach to what will work best for your situation and goals.

You are the expert in your own life. My role is to walk alongside you, with honesty, warmth, and the kind of understanding that only comes from having competed, performed, and faced my own pressures firsthand.

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are the people I work with. Whatever brings you here, you’ll find a space that is safe, non-judgmental, and deeply collaborative, where your story matters and the work is always guided by what means most to you.

I work with clients from all walks of life who are ready to explore new ways of being and relating.

Through my work in occupational psychology, I've specialised in supporting individuals through rehabilitation following psychological injury —helping people rebuild their sense of self and capacity to engage meaningfully with work and life after trauma or significant mental health challenges. I've had the privilege of providing counselling to both local and international clients, supporting them through emotional distress, various mental health conditions, and performance-related concerns.

I'm particularly passionate about helping people break free from early maladaptive patterns that may be holding them back.

These patterns—often formed in childhood or during significant life experiences—can show up as persistent self-criticism, perfectionism, or relationship difficulties. Through deep therapeutic work, we can identify these ingrained patterns, understand their origins, and gradually shift them toward healthier ways of thinking and relating. This process of deepening self-understanding opens pathways to greater emotional regulation and self-compassion.

My approach is deeply trauma-informed and centres entirely around you—your needs, your pace, and your goals.

I believe that meaningful therapeutic work happens in a space that feels safe, respectful, and collaborative. A trauma-informed approach means that I’m attuned to the impact of past experiences on present difficulties, and I work carefully to ensure that sessions are supportive rather than overwhelming. You are the expert in your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you—responding to your individual circumstances, honouring your boundaries, and helping you move forward in ways that feel manageable and meaningful to you. Whether we’re working on long-standing patterns or more immediate challenges, the process is always guided by what matters most to you.

My path to psychology has been wonderfully unconventional.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent years as a professional golfer and media presenter, experiences that taught me firsthand about performance pressure, resilience, and the mental game of life.

This background, combined with my work in occupational psychology and rehabilitation, has given me a unique understanding of how our minds and bodies respond to stress, challenge, and change. I bring this perspective to my work with anyone seeking to enhance their mental resilience and ability to thrive, whether in high-performance environments or everyday life.

As a mum of three and someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, I understand the juggling act of modern life and the unique pressures that come with wearing multiple hats.

When I'm not in the therapy room, you'll likely find me outdoors taking early coastal walks, playing golf, or enjoying a good, strong coffee while planning the day ahead. I believe nature has a profound healing capacity, and I often encourage clients to explore how movement and mindful connection with the natural world can support their well-being. It would be an honour to support you in creating the meaningful change you're seeking. Together, we can explore what's possible when you feel truly seen, heard, and empowered to live authentically.

It would be an honour to support you in creating the meaningful change you're seeking. Together, we can explore what's possible when you feel truly seen, heard, and empowered to live authentically.

Qualifications & Credentials

Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology
Master of Professional Psychology
AHPRA Registered Psychologist
Member, Australian Association of Psychologists Inc
Member, PGA of Australia
Member, Women's Professional Golf Association (WPGA)

Unique Background & Expertise

Former professional golfer and media presenter
Occupational psychology experience
International and local client experience
Sports and performance psychology specialist
Understanding of high-pressure environments
Mind-body connection and somatic awareness
Integrative, client-centred approach

Clinical interests

Anxiety and Stress Management
Burnout Prevention and Recovery
Adjustment to Life Transitions
Schema Therapy And Early Maladaptive Patterns
Trauma-Informed Care and Healing
Self-Compassion and Emotional Regulation
Somatic Symptoms and The Mind-Body Connection
Sports and Performance Psychology
Occupational Psychology and Workplace Rehabilitation

My Therapeutic Approach

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why I draw from a range of proven therapeutic approaches to create the most effective support for your specific situation. Think of these different modalities as tools in a toolbox—I’ll use whichever combination works best for you, your goals, and what feels most helpful at any given time.

You don’t need to understand all these approaches before we start—we’ll discover together which ones resonate most with you, and I’ll always explain what we’re doing and why. The goal is never to fit you into a particular method, but rather to find the combination of approaches that helps you feel most supported, understood, and empowered in your healing journey.

Evidence-Based Approaches

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you understand the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. We’ll work together to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more balanced, realistic ways of looking at situations. This approach is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, and breaking cycles of negative thinking.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping you live according to your values, even when difficult emotions are present. Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings, we’ll learn to accept them while still moving toward what matters most to you. This approach is wonderful for building psychological flexibility and finding meaning in life.

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy explores the deeper patterns and beliefs that shape how you see yourself and the world. We’ll gently examine how early experiences formed these patterns and work to develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others. This approach is particularly helpful for long-standing emotional patterns and relationship difficulties.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and tolerating distress without making things worse. These concrete tools help you navigate emotional storms while building a life worth living.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) recognises that we all have different parts of ourselves—the perfectionist, the protector, the inner child. We’ll help these parts work together more harmoniously, healing wounded aspects while strengthening your core, authentic self.

Mindfulness-based strategies

Mindfulness-based strategies help you develop a kinder, more aware relationship with your thoughts and emotions. These techniques, drawn from meditation traditions but used in a completely secular way, help you respond rather than react to life’s challenges.

Solution-focused techniques

Solution-focused techniques build on your existing strengths and resources, focusing on what’s already working in your life and how to do more of it. This approach helps create positive change efficiently while honouring your innate wisdom and capabilities.

Attachment-based interventions

Attachment-based interventions explore how your early relationships affect your current connections with others. We’ll work to heal attachment wounds and develop more secure, satisfying relationships throughout your life.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) helps you find your own motivation for change, resolving any ambivalence you might feel about making life changes. This collaborative approach honours your autonomy while supporting you in moving toward your goals.

Trauma-informed therapeutic practices

Trauma-informed therapeutic practices ensure that every aspect of our work together recognises how trauma impacts the nervous system and shapes your responses to the world. This approach prioritises your sense of safety, choice, and empowerment, understanding that healing happens when you feel truly safe and in control of the process.

Ready to work on your mental game—your decision to be here reflects a meaningful commitment to your wellbeing.

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