Areas of Practice
I have skills and experience working with adults, or near-adults who are experiencing a variety of challenges with their emotional and physical health, including those listed below.
I work from a perspective called the biopsychosocial approach. This incorporates understanding your health from a holistic perspective to understand how physical, mental and social factors have contributed to your challenges. I also incorporate knowledge and strategies from my training in clinical psychology to ensure that the needs of clients who have more severe mental health problems are met.
If you are interested in the approach I take, but are not sure whether I have the experience to help with your area of concern then contact me. If I’m not a good option for you I’ll provide you with some advice on what to look for in another psychologist, or where I can, recommend someone who I think would be a great fit for you.
More...
Body Image, Weight and Eating
For many people who experience eating disorders its not really about food (although this tends to become a preoccupation). I assist people with exploring and address the underlying factors that drive their eating disorders as well as help people to develop healthy eating patterns. A growing number of people are struggling with negative body image. Everyone is bombarded with messages about what their ideal weight should be and how their body should look. I work with people to help them to develop healthier relationships with their bodies.
Anxiety disorders, PTSD, Trauma, Sleep Disorders, Depression
Mental health disorders are pervasive, but treatable. I use a number of evidence-based therapies to help people to feel better. We work to select the best strategies to help you cope with your symptoms.
Coping with Unusually Demanding Work Roles
Do you have a job that is more than just a nine to five? Some roles are more of a lifestyle and require greater resilience and different skills to cope with the demands they place on both the worker and their families. I help people in these roles deal with the stressors of these jobs and lifestyles, and help them to address their challenges whilst maximising their effectiveness in the workplace. I also help employers support their personnel post critical incidents.
Major Life Stressors
Life can be stressful. For many of us it is particularly stressful during times of transition (eg divorce, becoming unemployed, retirement, moving) or when there are issues in the workplace. There are a range of techniques that you can learn to increase your coping in the moment, and improve your future resilience.
Coping With Significant Health Issues
As a health psychologist I have training in understanding how our physical and mental health interact, and psychological and behavioural factors that can help people cope and live more satisfying lives, despite injury and illness.
People Who Need to Make Significant Lifestyle Changes For Their Health
Many people are asked by their doctors to change their diet, exercise or other health behaviours. Some people simply want to become healthier. But actually making sustainable lifestyle changes can be really hard, and many people “fall off the wagon”. I apply the principles of health behaviour change, developing motivation, and breaking bad habits, to support my clients in leading a healthier lifestyle. This work can be incorporated into your counselling or can be the focus of your coaching.
Pregnancy and Parenting
There really is no manual for your children. Both pregnancy and adjusting to new parenting throws up a range of physical and emotional stressors. When people don't enjoy or cope well with this time it can leave people feeling isolated and alone. You don’t need to feel this way, let’s see what we can do to make things easier for you.