Psychological therapy for airline professionals

Supporting pilots and cabin crew navigate the personal impact of airline work

Airline work is more than a job.
It shapes routines, relationships, and often a sense of identity. The responsibility involved, irregular hours, and pressure to perform can gradually take a toll, even while functioning well externally.

Many people in the airline industry carry this privately. The emotional and relational impact of the work isn’t always visible, and there can be an expectation to manage on your own. Therapy offers space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and reflect on how this work has shaped your inner world and relationships over time.

Therapy for airline professionals

I offer psychological therapy to airline professionals, supporting people to explore the personal and relational impact of work in high-responsibility, people-facing, and safety-critical roles.

This includes cabin crew, pilots, and others whose work involves sustained performance, self-regulation, adaptability, and emotional control, alongside variable schedules and time away from home.

Therapy is offered individually, either in person in Melbourne or via telehealth. Telehealth can suit variable rosters, time away from home, or rest requirements, while in-person sessions may be preferred when based locally. We can discuss what best fits your work patterns and needs.

    • Fatigue or burnout that rest alone doesn’t resolve

    • Anxiety, low mood, irritability, or emotional numbness

    • High self-criticism or pressure to remain composed and perform

    • Emotional exhaustion linked to sustained responsibility or people-facing work

    • Questions about identity, meaning, or who you are beyond the role

    • Strain in relationships, particularly around availability, intimacy, or communication

    • Pressure to “just cope” alongside grief, trauma, health concerns, or major life events

    • Understand burnout or stress in the context of work, relationships, and personal history

    • Identify unhelpful patterns in coping, thinking, feeling, or relating

    • Work through experiences and emotions set aside in order to function

    • Explore identity shifts, life transitions, and role strain over time

    • Develop more flexible and sustainable ways of relating to yourself and others

About

Louisa Kitchin is a psychodynamic & attachment-informed psychologist with experience in the airline industry

Before training as a psychologist, I worked as cabin crew. My clinical background includes inpatient, outpatient, community, and private practice settings with a range of mental health presentations. I have training and experience in a variety of individual and group therapy approaches.

Therapy approach

I work from a psychodynamic and attachment-informed approach. In practice, this means therapy focuses on understanding patterns in how people feel, think, cope, and relate to themselves and others. These patterns can be shaped by past experiences and influence your current life circumstances.

I value therapy as a thoughtful, collaborative process informed by each person’s unique history and context, and offer a warm, reflective space to explore what feels meaningful or difficult with care and depth.

If you’d like to read more about my broader therapeutic approach, you can do so here.

Registration & Memberships
Registered Psychologist – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Clinical Psychology Registrar – AHPRA
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists
Member of the International Association of Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

Qualifications & Education
Master of Clinical Psychology – Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology) – Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) – RMIT University

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Psychological therapy is confidential, including for people working in airline or other safety-sensitive roles. Confidentiality applies in the same way it does for any adult attending private therapy.

    As with all psychological care, there are limited duty-of-care exceptions to confidentiality. These are discussed together and handled carefully where relevant.

    Therapy is focused on emotional support and reflection, rather than assessment or evaluation for work, regulatory or fitness purposes. Decisions about work, disclosure, or fitness to perform duties remain with the individual and the appropriate medical professionals. I do not routinely report to employers, airlines, or regulators.

  • No, a formal diagnosis is not required to attend therapy.

  • Yes. I work with adult airline professionals, including cabin crew and pilots, in individual therapy.

    People come to therapy for a range of reasons. The focus of therapy is guided by each person’s individual circumstances and goals.

  • Finding the right fit in therapy is important and often becomes clearer over the first few sessions. If my approach resonates with you, we can explore this together once we meet. If for any reason you decide you would like to work with someone else, I can support you in that process.

  • The first few sessions involve an initial, collaborative assessment. This includes exploring what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and relevant aspects of your history, and deciding whether working together feels like a good fit. We will then discuss the most appropriate plan moving forward.

  • I typically offer weekly sessions, depending on individual needs. Regular sessions can support continuity and depth in the work.

    Psychodynamic therapy is often longer-term, which allows for a more in-depth exploration of patterns, sense of self, and relationships. However, shorter-term therapy (around 10–20 sessions) can be helpful for people wanting to focus on specific issues.

    I do not offer monthly or ad-hoc sessions for new clients.

  • Telehealth can work well for airline professionals and is commonly used by people with variable schedules or who travel frequently. Airline professionals may find that telehealth offers greater flexibility while supporting consistency and continuity of care.

    Telehealth sessions are conducted securely and with careful consideration of privacy and confidentiality. While working online may involve different privacy considerations to in-person therapy, these are discussed transparently so you can make an informed decision about what feels right for you.

  • Standard Fee
    My fee for a 50-minute individual session is $230.

    Medicare Rebates
    You may be eligible for Medicare rebates if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP or psychiatrist. Medicare currently provides rebates of $98.95 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year under a MHTP. However, therapy may extend beyond 10 sessions.

    Private Health Insurance Rebates
    Private health insurance rebates may be available depending on your level of cover. Please check directly with your insurer to confirm your eligibility and rebate amount.

    Third Party Funding
    Please note that I do not provide services under the NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, or other third-party funding arrangements.

  • No formal referral or diagnosis is required to attend therapy. You can contact me directly to enquire about an appointment. If you wish to claim Medicare rebates, you will need a referral from your GP or psychiatrist.

  • Yes, I am currently accepting new clients.

    I offer appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, subject to availability.

  • I do not offer emergency or crisis support.
    If you are in need of urgent assistance, please call 000, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or your local Crisis Assessment & Treatment Team.

  • The full session fee applies for cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment. Telehealth may be an option if you are unwell or unable to attend your scheduled appointment in person.