I am a Clinical Psychologist who predominantly works with adults and adolescents who are experiencing a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, panic, phobias, trauma, loss and grief, chronic pain and disability and other psychological adjustment reactions.
Since 1997, I have worked in a consulting capacity and in private practice. During this time, I have provided psychological services to individuals who self-refer, or are referred by General Practitioners, Employers, Vocational Rehabilitation Providers, Non-Government Agencies, Lawyers, Insurance Companies and a range of other parties.
My approach
My treatment methods are tailored to the needs of the individual.
However, I commonly use humanistic/existential approaches, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and narrative methods within my practice. In the initial consultations, my aim is to explore what has led the person to seek assistance. This involves asking questions in a sensitive and respectful way and may also include the completion of questionnaires if this helps to increase understanding. The next step is to establish some goals for the counselling sessions. These are developed in accordance with what the person considers to be important for their psychological health and well-being.
My training
In terms of my training background, I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree (Psychology and Human Movement) from the University of Western Australia in 1994. Following the completion of a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Curtin University in 1995, I undertook a 2-year period of supervision in order to obtain Registration as a Psychologist in 1997.
Given my training (and interest) in psychological and physical health-related issues, I completed a Masters Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology in 2009. Finally, in 2012, I received my Doctoral Degree from Curtin University, having conducted research exploring meaning-making processes in bereaved mothers who had lost a child to cancer.
Specific expertise in loss and grief
Having worked as a Psychologist since 1997, I frequently encounter experiences of loss and grief in relation to the death of a loved one(s). In addition, having worked in the occupational rehabilitation industry over many years, I have gained extensive experience in assisted people to process grief reactions that accompany the losses involved in living with physical (and psychological) injuries (e.g., the loss of employment).
In 2002, I commenced a Doctoral Degree that involved conducting research with bereaved mothers who had experienced the death of a child from cancer. For many of these parents their child’s death profoundly challenged and/or shattered their worlds, resulting in various complications in their grieving processes. Despite this, many were able to reconstruct a new identity and worldview that enabled them to find meaning in their life again, whilst continuing to live with their loss.
During the course of completing my PhD and in the years since, my clinical interest and practice in the area of loss and grief has continued to expand. When working with grief, my therapeutic approach varies according to each person.
However, in broad terms, my approach is based on meaning-making theories of loss and grief (e.g., narrative/constructivist). These theories place central emphasis on understanding and facilitating people’s efforts towards reaffirming, finding, and/or rebuilding life meaning (i.e., purpose, value, significance) in the aftermath of loss.
Finally, I continue to publish research articles and run workshops in the field of loss and grief with the aim of sharing my clinical and research understandings with a wider audience.
Other specific expertise
I have specific expertise in conducting psychological assessments with injured workers with compensation claims and in providing treatment reports. I also provide independent psychological assessments and reports for medico-legal claims (e.g., criminal injuries compensation).
Finally, I have extensive experience in conducting assessments of chronic pain-related conditions and in providing treatment for the management of pain and the adjustment issues that can be associated with chronic pain states.