Sharon is the Managing Director of Clear Perceptions and developed her original concept of building Emotional Strength® in business. Sharon has been building Emotional Strength in business, with owners, partners, and executives for over 20 years. Her work is based on her belief that ‘whatever is going on in the business is a reflection of the owner’.
Leaders emerge from this process.
Sharon is also the Chair and founding Director of the Sharon Faye Foundation. The Foundation’s purpose is to conduct research into Emotion and demonstrate how Emotional Strength is essential to improve the education of our children, the health of our people, the quality of our leaders, the effectiveness of our law and the value of our economy. This purpose will drive the Foundation’s research and publishing activity in six key areas: identity, family, education, business, law and politics.
Sharon’s dedication to improving the experience of being human originates from her own experience of recovering from severe childhood abuse. Sharon developed Emotional Strength within herself and has dedicated her life to building Emotional Strength in others. Emotional Strength is the ability to respond in an open and vulnerable way in the face of intense emotional experience.
Sharon was awarded a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology in 1994, a Bachelor of Psychology from Edith Cowan University in 1995 and a Master of Psychology (Org) with Distinction from Curtin University in 1998. Her research focused on testing the structure of affective well-being. Sharon went into private practice in 2000. In 2008 Sharon presented the concept of Emotional Strength at the International Congress of Psychology in Berlin. Sharon completed an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia in 2011 and her research focused on building a sustainable business model in the private sector.
Sharon lives in beautiful Perth Western Australia, raised four children and has seven grandchildren; she runs marathons and loves good coffee.
Tristan is a psychotherapist with extensive training and experience in building Emotional Strength, which forms the foundation for helping people to connect with themselves and others in new ways – ways in which people feel more “real” and alive. A member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Tristan works with clients to create lasting change so they can develop more deeply fulfilling lives and relationships. Her approach to therapy is warm, collaborative and non-judgemental, based on a relationship of mutual trust and respect.
Tristan’s journey to becoming psychotherapist was informed by long-standing interest in human behaviour. She started her career in journalism, working in Australia and the United Kingdom for publications including London’s The Daily Telegraph and The West Australian. After having her first child, Tristan developed an interest in finding out more about her own family and its origins. This, coupled with a love of myth and symbolism, led her to write fiction. Completing a novel was deeply rewarding and more challenging than she ever imagined. She still loves to write and has been journaling for many years.
In her role as psychotherapist and counsellor, Tristan has worked for various government agencies, including at a drug and alcohol residential therapeutic community. Tristan holds a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from Edith Cowan University (for which she received the PACFA Award for Outstanding Graduate), a Master of Arts from Murdoch University, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Arts from Murdoch University.
The style of psychotherapy Tristan practises is grounded in psychodynamic theory and is informed by Emotional Strength, AEDP, family systems and attachment theory. She has trained in various emotion-based modalities including Emotional Strength, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Emotion Focused Therapy. Tristan’s years of experience in the media and communication sector, including working as writer/researcher for emotion research institute The Sharon Faye Foundation, and her experience in long term relationship and as a parent also inform her work as a therapist.
Tristan, who also loves swimming and long beach walks, lives with her husband and three children. She is inspired by everyday acts of courage and vulnerability.
Phil is a registered psychologist and clinical psychology registrar, graduating from Edith Cowan University clinical psychology master’s program in 2022 after more than 16 years of studying psychology.
Growing up in the northern beaches of Perth as an Australian/Italian, Phil’s curiosity about life and human behaviour was always in mind, although did not fully manifest into a passion for psychology until many years later. Beginning his working career as a tradesman and later becoming a small business owner, Phil came to realise that he was the common denominator in his own personal and business struggles and without knowing how, believed that for change to occur in his life, he must somehow change from within.
After many years of intensive coaching, training, and practicing emotional strength, Phil realised his goal of becoming a psychologist. He draws upon his knowledge of the discipline, life experience and strength of character as a solid base from which to practice. Along with his natural warmth and calming influence, Phil can provide a safe holding space for clients to explore the deepest parts of themselves on their journey toward healing.
A member of the Australian Psychological Society and Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, Phil practices from an evidence-based framework adopting a collaborative person-centred approach. Phil has received training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Emotion Focused therapy, Schema Therapy, EMDR, Biofeedback and Psychoanalytic technique.
Phil works with clients across the lifespan in the assessment and treatment of psychological concerns, exploring their origins and the self-limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviours that often keep clients stuck, while building a capacity to experience and feel intense emotion as pathway to healing. Phil accepts referrals from GPs under a Mental Health Care Plan, referrals from allied health professionals, as well as privately funded and self-referrals.
Phil is interested in the study of emotion and is currently working together with the Sharon Faye Foundation on publication of the first empirical study on Emotional Strength®. He shares his working time between psychology and business and enjoys spending time with his family and two adult children. Being near or in the ocean is a must for Phil, as is having his own time and space to reflect.