Approach

Hello and welcome. It can be a brave decision to begin therapy. It can be even more daunting to find a therapist - let alone the appropriate one for you. I hope to take a bit of that stress away by describing my philosophy and ways of working.

I view my role in your journey as a privilege. Therapy is challenging - processing past events, internal reflection, and personal growth is demanding work. In taking this on, you deserve a safe, confidential, non-judgmental and friendly space with a sensitive, attentive listener. I bring my extensive training and 20 years of clinical experience into our shared time - nonetheless, finding a comfortable fit with a therapist goes beyond this. You must feel trust and connection. Go with your intuition - you will know what feels right for you.

The first step begins with your contacting me. We will then speak by phone briefly to discuss what you are looking for and whether it makes sense for us to proceed together. If yes, then an initial assessment will be scheduled, during which your full history is gathered and your reasons for seeking therapy are discussed in-depth. Then, I provide preliminary recommendations based on mutually agreed-upon goals along with a proposed plan. If the recommended first-line treatment is outside the scope of my practice, I will tell you.

Our work is always patient-centered, meaning the goals set, the way they are approached, and the length of time is determined predominantly by you and whether you are benefitting from therapy - this may be discussed and reviewed regularly together.

My areas of expertise include trauma and PTSD, loss and grief, anxiety and phobias, mood disturbances, post-partum and parenting support. I have a particular interest supporting survivors of domestic violence, refugees & asylum seekers, war veterans, and international humanitarian workers. While I believe in starting from a strength-based approach (meaning bolstering those things which are helpful and positive in the current moment), we are shaped by the many moments that have come before the present one. When something painful happens in our lives, once or repeatedly, we may develop ways to protect ourselves. These can be helpful at the time, sometimes essential for survival, but over time, what once protected us may no longer serve us. Rigid ways of coping can compromise our ability to love and be loved, to accept our self-worth, to trust ourselves, and to pursue our goals. The process of therapy brings to awareness these unhealthy defenses and heals past wounds in order to choose new ways of being in the present and future.

Having trained as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I have utilized a combination of different modalities including psychodynamic therapy, supportive psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family therapy, parent training, play therapy, and psychopharmacology. However, after training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), I noticed dramatic results when this was used. This approach is designed to release individuals of the hold which old wounds and traumas have on current functioning in a way that traditional therapy often may not. (See EMDR tab for more information.)

I look forward to joining you in a thoughtful and collaborative way to identify and realise your treatment goals.