About me
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting adults across a range of emotional, relational, and mental health challenges. I work with individuals from late adolescence to adulthood, drawing on my background in public and private sectors.
I offer both shorter-term, symptom-focused support as well as longer-term, in-depth psychotherapy. My approach is client-centred and integrative, with a strong foundation in contemporary psychodynamic and attachment-based frameworks. I prioritise a collaborative and empathic therapeutic relationship, and tailor treatment to suit each person’s goals and circumstances.
In addition to individual therapy, I offer the Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P) program and am one of only a few clinicians in Victoria accredited to deliver the Circle of Security–Intensive (COS-I) intervention. These programs support deeper understanding and connection in the parent-child relationship and are available for individuals, couples, and small groups.
I offer appointments both in-person (in the Dandenong Ranges, outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne) and via telehealth, and on weekends.
I accept referrals under Medicare, DVA, Australian Defence, WorkCover, NDIS (self- and plan-managed), VOCAT, and TAC.
Services and Therapeutic Approach
I am trained in evidence based approaches including:
• cognitive behaviour therapy
• acceptance and commitment therapy
• dialectical behaviour therapy
• schema therapy
• mindfulness-based therapies
• trauma-focused therapies
• mentalization-based therapy
• attachment and developmental theories
• psychodynamic principles
• contemporary neurobiology research
I provide therapy for people with the following concerns:
complex and long standing mental health concerns
mood and emotion regulation issues
issues with adjustment and life transition
trauma and grief related difficulties
self-esteem and identity concerns
eating disorders
chronic interpersonal and personality difficulties
perinatal mental health and parenting stress
Shorter, symptom-focused therapy may typically involve 6-10 focussed sessions with some continuing with occasional maintenance sessions to support ongoing stability. For more complex or longstanding issues such as trauma, identity or self-esteem struggles, or relational patterns, longer-term psychotherapy (20+ sessions) may be more appropriate.
Longer-Term Psychotherapy
I also work with individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, particularly those facing longstanding interpersonal challenges or feeling stuck in recurring patterns. My approach is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which emphasises the impact of early attachment and developmental history on how we relate to ourselves and others.
Together, we explore your family history, early relationships, and significant life experiences to uncover the unconscious patterns that shape your emotional and relational world. These patterns, while once protective, may now limit your ability to connect authentically with others or lead a fulfilling life. Symptoms are approached with curiosity and respect, seen as meaningful signals of parts of yourself that carry important truths about your experiences and emotional world.
Therapy provides a collaborative and compassionate space to delve into your emotions or parts of self, including those that may have been suppressed or avoided. By understanding how past experiences continue to shape your present, we can work together to address these patterns in real time. This process fosters greater self-awareness, enabling you to make choices that align with your authentic self and to build more fulfilling, connected relationships.
While my practice is firmly rooted in psychodynamic principles, I adopt an integrative stance as needed, tailoring therapy to your individual needs. This flexibility allows us to address the complexities of your experiences while staying focused on the deeper, long-term goals of growth and self-discovery.
Engaging in this work requires courage and commitment, but it offers the possibility of profound and lasting change. By understanding and addressing the ways your history influences your present, you can move toward a life that feels more aligned, meaningful, and genuine.
The Circle of Security® Parenting™ Programs
CURRENTLY TAKING EOI FOR COSP (in-person and online) and COS-I GROUPS - contact form below
I am an accredited facilitator of the Circle of Security® (COS) parenting programs. The COS model is based on decades of attachment research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Using COS, I work with parents to help them:
• Understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
• Support their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
• Enhance the development of their child's self esteem
• Honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure.
I am an advanced COS facilitator and supervisor. I offer both the COS-Parenting (COS-P) program and the COS-Intensive (COS-I) program. The COS-P program involves reviewing and reflecting on the COS video materials, whereas the COS-I program additionally involves specific parent-child relationship assessments and tailored treatment planning before the program commences. Therefore, with COS-I, the sessions, including video materials, becomes completely individualised for that parent and that parent-child relationship. While there are several accredited COS-Parenting (COS-P) facilitators in Melbourne, I am one of only two in Victoria further accredited to deliver the COS-Intensive (COS-I) parenting program.
I run COS-P with groups, couples, or individually, and COS-I in pairs/couples, or individually (Medicare rebates may apply).
I am currently undertaking my accreditation as a Supervisor for the Circle of Security - Intensive Program with Joe Coyne and taking expressions of interest for those clinicians who have completed the COS-I training and wanting to undertake their own accreditation for the COS-I Program. Supervision would be offered at a reduced rate. Please contact me directly for further information.
Clinical Supervision
I provide professional supervision and consultation to psychologists, provisional psychologists, and other health professionals. I am an approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia and offer supervision for:
• work in addition to higher degree training
• higher degree programs
• clinical psychology registrar program
• peer supervision
• research supervision
Fees and Appointments
My fee is $210 per 50 minute session. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate of $145.25, for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
For those making the commitment to a longer-term psychotherapy, a reduced rate following the Medicare rebated sessions may be available.
I also accept Victims of Crime (VOCAT), Traffic Accident Commission (TAC), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) referrals, and I am a registered service provider for WorkSafe and Defence Force members. I am also registered to provide sessions under the GP referral for Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling Services.
