My Industry Experience 

Before making the decision to embark in private practice, I bring many years of industry experience.  This is from in working in public services (government and not for profit).  My approach in counselling is  informed by evidence based theories through continuing professional development and practice wisdom.  

My Social Work career has been dynamic, providing services to diverse and vulnerable population groups in the community.  I have decades of industry experience both as a Welfare Worker, then Social Worker in the public/not for profit sector, particularly in public Mental Health services.  As a Mental Health Social Worker I have seen many changes to the industry, changes to both the welfare state and frontline service delivery.  The Medicare and PSS enable quicker access to psychological support than we have seen in the past.  To become a Medicare provider or PSS provider, a practitioner undergo's a rigorous screen to ensure capability to deliver focused psychological strategies in clinical setting. 

As a Social Worker, I bring 18 years of industry experience to my private practice which includes, 

• Face to face public Mental Health across two metropolitan hospitals, including children, adolescent, adult and older adult's in crisis for over a decade.

• Telephonic crisis support and after hours intake for five hospitals on the NSW Statewide Access Line.

• Private Mental Health services in a ward setting.

• Hospital Social Work, Emergency Departments, General Medicine, ICU, Acute Medical, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care wards.  

• Child and Adolescent Counselling.  

• Asylum Seekers, Refugee's and Trafficked persons who have survived torture and trauma needing crisis assistance. 

• Veterans accessing psychological and psychosocial supports due to complex trauma.

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

• Domestic Violence based services.

Working with these population groups has given me a strong humanist approach in my practice and personal life.  

Whichever therapist you choose, whether it be me or another provider, I cannot emphasise the importance of seeking a registered mental health professional, for example, the AASW, EMDRAA or AHPRA.  An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker has undergone a rigorous and multifaceted assessment process that is approved by the Australian government before being credentialed and indemnified to implement focussed psychological strategies under Medicare.   Your Therapist essentially should belong to a recognised association and be indemnified to provide you with a service and treatment plan.  

Being a therapist takes an appropriate level of skill and unfortunately the industry has entrepreneurs delivering services who perhaps are under-qualified and do not have the adequate training or knowledge to work wth the mind's plasticity nor the practice wisdom to mitigate the risk of further harm such as re-traumatisation. 

If you decide to utilise another provider, please ensure that they are appropriately qualified and belong to a registered body.