Adults & Young People

Medicare ‘FPS’ (Focussed Psychological Strategy) techniques include cognitive behavioural therapy. Types of CBT that I offer are: Psychoeducation and motivational interviewing, behavioural interventions, behaviour modification, exposure techniques, activity scheduling, cognitive therapy; relaxation strategies including progressive muscle relaxation and controlled breathing. Other skills training include problem solving, anger management, communication or social skills, stress management; interpersonal therapy and online services for flexible times and less travel once I have completed the assessment with a client (tele-mental health services).

Understanding common negative and anxious thinking styles, we work together to help you achieve a healthier and more fulfilling sense of purpose and connection with your community, interests and family.

Mindfulness based approaches help people ‘stay present’ in the moment and learn to remain grounded if / when emotional distress comes and goes. I am trained in ACT for adults and young people. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a form of counselling and a branch of clinical behaviour analysis. It is an empirically based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies mixed in different ways with commitment and behaviour-change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. ACT helps people focus on life values important to them, to make choices about what to do / how to live with purpose. I have found this is a very useful and enjoyable type of therapy for anxiety and depression in my work.

Free mindfulness resources exist in Australia:

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/mindfulness

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

I support client-focussed shared decision making in care planning or collaboration with other medical, psychiatric or other professional supports involved in a client’s treatment. I work to help clients feel empowered in decision-making about their mental health care and approach to recovery. Care-coordination can be done online, by phone, email or correspondence, and only with informed consent and participation.

Tips for a Successful Virtual Meeting:

As health professionals / therapists there are certain behaviours and planning that can help a virtual meeting work most effectively.

• Ensure everyone has a light space and can be seen / heard by all attendees- Meeting host to check in at beginning of meeting related to audio / visual ease and clarity of the group.
• Pre-arrange the allotted meeting time and turn off / remove other distractions whilst talking online if possible
• Agree on ethical codes of conduct to ensure and maintain client confidentiality.
• Practice within your professional scope, codes of legal and ethical conduct / medico-legal boundaries and guidelines as professionals.
• If this is a new relationship, spend time setting goals and objectives for the allotted time
• If this an existing group network, ensure that there is a respectful way for differences of opinion to be expressed.
• Keep time, so that everyone gets a turn to speak and take turns responding to discussion in a brief online meeting.
• Involve client in the care planning in real time.

Motivational Interviewing

Balancing work, family, education, culture and health takes courage and self-care. Many adults live with anxiety, depression or relational challenges, including grief and loss. I work people based on what they need in brief or longer-term psychotherapy support. Online appointments can assist with work flexibility.

Together we create a safe space to explore and focus on your needs and concerns. I offer CBT, ACT, DBT or Interpersonal Therapy, often with mindfulness, advocacy or a trauma-informed practice approach to recovery.

This free resource is useful for work related stress:

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/mindfulness-workplace

Child / Adolescent Focussed Parent Support

Engaging well with families requires child, adolescent and adult professional skills as each family member is interrelated in a unique family system. Australia is a diverse nation; I work to understand your cultural or spiritual values and ways of relating best. Family counselling can help with parenting approaches, managing emotional or behavioural challenges or work to support calmer communication during times of adjustment or change in a family. Child / Adolescent mental health needs are often best treated with a family approach.

Mental health promotion is one key influence in Australia today. There are tools to help understand signs and symptoms. Self-help tools, and evidence based websites like https://www.beyondblue.org.au/, www.mindhealthconnect, www.reachout.org.au, http://www.yodaa.org.au/ , https://www.lifeline.org.au/ increase community-wide awareness of the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, substance abuse or crisis support when needed.