Our Team

Lia McInnis

Owner & CEO
Psychologist

Hey, I’m Lia! I am the owner and CEO of SISU Canberra and a clinical and forensic psychologist with a deep passion for helping people recover, grow and thrive.

My journey started with a degree in sports science and psychology at the University of Canberra, followed by an honours year at the Australian National University (ANU).

I then moved to Sydney to complete my Masters in Forensic Psychology at University of NSW (UNSW), where I began my career working in Juvenile Justice and private forensic assessments.

After having my first daughter, Matilda, I returned to Canberra, working for 5 years at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (somewhere in between, I also welcomed my second beautiful girl, Sienna!). During this time, I completed my Masters of Clinical Psychology through Charles Sturt University. In 2018, I joined the Australian Federal Police as a psychologist, where I worked full-time until taking the leap to build SISU Canberra.

Alongside my psychology career, fitness has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been a qualified fitness instructor since I was 18, and I love combining the physical and psychological to support recovery and wellness. My special interests include trauma treatment, frontline worker support, and women’s health—areas I’ve focused on in my private practice for the past seven years.

At SISU Canberra, our philosophy is built on the Finnish concept of SISU—courage, determination and the incredible human ability to push through life’s challenges. I truly believe that with the right support we can all live at our best. That’s why SISUCanberra is here—to help you reach your optimal self. Through our carefully curated services, we focus on improving both physical and psychological health in an environment that fosters empowerment, safety and growth.

I take this leap into SISU Canberra alongside some of the best people I know. My excellent and inspiring friend Camille joins me on this journey—how lucky am I to work alongside my best friend every day? Our wonderful staff are all people Camille and I have hand-chosen for their skills, knowledge and their incredible, humanistic SISU energy. They step into this business not just as a job, but as a way of living, a way of being. I walk into SISU with positive energy and a grateful heart. I get to walk into work every day to do something I truly believe in.

Above all, the most important things in my life are my two amazing girls, my incredible friends and family, and the people who lift me up and inspire me to be my best.

It must be said that SISU would not be possible without the financial backing (and inspiration to never give up) of my late brother Todd. He was the most generous person I know—not only practically, but with his time. He wanted deeply for those he loved to succeed and live happily.

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