this is me

background

I’m a clinical psychologist registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society.

I graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

I have been established in private practice for over 20 years, prior to which I worked in the public and not for profit sectors. I have a depth of experience working with a range and complexity of issues and individuals.

My experience in private practice has included the treatment of various psychological issues including trauma, depression, and anxiety as well as undertaking medico-legal assessments.

I am skilled in the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness skills, and Schema Therapy. I’m committed to the highest standards of professional ethics and confidentiality. 

Previously employed by the School of Psychology, University of Tasmania as a contract lecturer and tutor from 1991 until 2001.I was employed by Relationships Australia, Tasmania from 1995 until 2001, undertaking couples counselling, family therapy and child and adolescent counselling.

I have been contracted as a Clinical Consultant to Child and Family Services since early 2001, undertaking independent family assessments as well as providing therapeutic counselling to children and families who have been identified as ‘at risk’.

Since 2015, I have been contracted by the Foster and Kinship Carers Association of Tasmania to provide support and advocacy to carers as well as designing and delivering training programs for foster and kinship carers across the state.

Professional Affiliations

·        Registered as a Psychologist in Tasmania, practicing as a Clinical Psychologist,

·        Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS),

·        Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists,

·        Past President and Secretary of the Tasmanian Branch of the APS,

my approach

As a psychologist, I place a high value on remaining abreast of current thinking in psychology and on providing therapy that is informed by the best available theory and research. I also place a high value on conducting therapy in a way that is flexible and relevant to the unique needs of individuals. This means that I work to understand you and your particular situation, background, problems, strengths and potentials, and to cultivate an approach to therapy that resonates with you and your needs. I draw on a range of accepted therapies, and on a detailed understanding of individual functioning, to create a good fit between you and your therapy.  I see counselling as a collaborative working relationship.

 

what does therapy involve?

Ultimately I endeavour to provide you with an experience that is therapeutic, and that empowers you to live your life more as you would like. This can involve a number of different elements that are in a different state of balance at different times. One important element of therapy involves helping you to understand the causes of your problems and to learn tools and strategies to change. This can include equipping you with psychological knowledge relevant to you, and helping you to apply that knowledge effectively in your life. Another important element is forming a collaborative, warm and respectful working relationship. This can provide a space away from the everyday pressures of your life in which to explore and understand yourself, and to gain new perspectives and vantage points on your life. It can also provide you with an important source of support and understanding. At times therapy involves a process of healing or recovery. It can also involve a process of personal evolution and growth.

 

How long does it take?

The length of time that you devote to therapy depends on you and your needs. If you would like to address a single discrete problem with relatively straightforward causes, then shorter-term therapy, such as 6 – 10 sessions, is likely to be a reasonable length of time for you. If you would like to change lifelong or entrenched patterns, with more complex causes, it may be helpful to attend therapy for a longer period of time. Equally, many people attend therapy not to address problems necessarily, but to facilitate their growth or wellbeing or effectiveness, and /or to reflect on their life and steer it in valued directions. In this case the time that you spend in therapy depends on you and your goals. I am happy to discuss your objectives for therapy, and talk with you about a flexible time frame that you are comfortable with.

"The way of cowardice is to embed ourselves in a cocoon, in which we perpetuate our habitual patterns. When we are constantly recreating our basic patterns of habits and thought, we never have to leap into fresh air or onto fresh ground."   Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche