My Training
I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology at Curtin University in WA in 1980 and then moved to South Australia to do my Honours Degree in Psychology at the Flinders University in 1981. After four years
of study I wanted a break from being a student so I moved to Tasmania for two years and worked with homeless
youth in several youth refuges in Hobart. This was quite intensive and challenging work and the experience of
working with some very troubled young people gave me some early insight into the difficulties young people can face when things go very wrong at home.
In 1984 I returned to my studies at the University of Western Australia and completed the two years Masters program in
Clinical Psychology. Later, in 1990 when I was working as a Clinical Psychologist I completed a two year training program in Clinical Hypnosis in Sydney, with the NSW branch
of the Australian Society of Hypnosis. In 1992 I moved to Munich (Germany) and during my work there in a research company I was offered a German government academic exchange research grant (DAAD)to do my Ph.D. My Ph.D. was undertaken at the Institute of
Medical Psychology in the Ludwig-Maximilian University
over a four year period and was in the field of Psycho-neuro-immunology. My research examined the effects of Clinical Hypnosis on the psychological, physical and immunological parameters of people who had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I also completed a post-doctoral study in Munich examining hypnosis interventions with patients who had Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE) and attended many conferences in Europe presenting my research findings. Needless to say, a strong part of my time in Munich was also learning the German language and passing language exams! On returning to Perth in 1998 I was planning to continue my research into these interesting mind-body connections, however academic positions were scant, so I decided to change paths and focus more on psychotherapy practice. This also fitted at the time with my family commitments.
My Psychotherapy Experience
Working two years with homeless youth in Tasmania was a launching pad to gaining first-hand experience about
how relationships in families can go very wrong. This created an interest in child and family therapy, reflecting my
first position in 1986 as a Clinical Psychologist in Tamworth NSW. I worked at the Tamworth Base Hospital’s Community Health Centre for nearly three years in the Child and Family Health Team and after the first year also became the Team Leader of this professional team. My psychotherapy and assessment work was with children, adolescents and adults. I also ran many therapy and educational groups focusing on parenting skills and dynamics, children’s adjustment to parental separation and divorce and other childhood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bed wetting and behavioural problems. I was additionally very involved in community development programs,
anti-natal programs and staff development and spoke several times on local radio programs.
I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology at Curtin University in WA in 1980 and then moved to South Australia to do my Honours Degree in Psychology at the Flinders University in 1981. After four years
of study I wanted a break from being a student so I moved to Tasmania for two years and worked with homeless
youth in several youth refuges in Hobart. This was quite intensive and challenging work and the experience of
working with some very troubled young people gave me some early insight into the difficulties young people can face when things go very wrong at home.
In 1984 I returned to my studies at the University of Western Australia and completed the two years Masters program in
Clinical Psychology. Later, in 1990 when I was working as a Clinical Psychologist I completed a two year training program in Clinical Hypnosis in Sydney, with the NSW branch
of the Australian Society of Hypnosis. In 1992 I moved to Munich (Germany) and during my work there in a research company I was offered a German government academic exchange research grant (DAAD)to do my Ph.D. My Ph.D. was undertaken at the Institute of
Medical Psychology in the Ludwig-Maximilian University
over a four year period and was in the field of Psycho-neuro-immunology. My research examined the effects of Clinical Hypnosis on the psychological, physical and immunological parameters of people who had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I also completed a post-doctoral study in Munich examining hypnosis interventions with patients who had Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE) and attended many conferences in Europe presenting my research findings. Needless to say, a strong part of my time in Munich was also learning the German language and passing language exams! On returning to Perth in 1998 I was planning to continue my research into these interesting mind-body connections, however academic positions were scant, so I decided to change paths and focus more on psychotherapy practice. This also fitted at the time with my family commitments.
My Psychotherapy Experience
Working two years with homeless youth in Tasmania was a launching pad to gaining first-hand experience about
how relationships in families can go very wrong. This created an interest in child and family therapy, reflecting my
first position in 1986 as a Clinical Psychologist in Tamworth NSW. I worked at the Tamworth Base Hospital’s Community Health Centre for nearly three years in the Child and Family Health Team and after the first year also became the Team Leader of this professional team. My psychotherapy and assessment work was with children, adolescents and adults. I also ran many therapy and educational groups focusing on parenting skills and dynamics, children’s adjustment to parental separation and divorce and other childhood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bed wetting and behavioural problems. I was additionally very involved in community development programs,
anti-natal programs and staff development and spoke several times on local radio programs.
In 1988 I moved to Sydney and obtained a position in Liaison Psychiatry at the Prince Henry Hospital. This involved working with adult patients on the medical and surgical wards of the hospital and it is where I became very interested in the interface between medical conditions and psychological factors, leading to the hypnotherapy training. In 1991
I developed a research program examining the use of hypnosis to assist patients with autoimmune disorders and was the first clinical psychologist to be offered the hospital's competitive and substantial Bicentenury research grant. Unfortunately I had to decline this grant because I had decided to move to Germany. During my work at the Prince Henry Hospital I spent considerable time working with staff and patients in the spinal and AIDS units and on the general surgical wards. I also provided an outpatient psychotherapy service to adult patients. I worked in this field for nearly three years until I moved to Germany.
My seven years in Germany mostly focused on developing and running the clinical interventions for my Ph.D.,
passing exams in the German language and then writing up the research study ready for the university examinations. Additionally however, I worked part-time as a research Psychologist in a private Medical Psychology research company associated with the Ludwig-Maximilian University in the first two years. I also maintained a small private psychotherapy practice working with adults and children.
I returned with my family to Perth in November 1997 and I took a break for parenting my two small children and also did some casual lecturing at several universities. I returned to my professional career in 2000 and have worked in a variety of settings doing research and undertaking psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults and families. Positions have included Research Co-ordinator at the UWA Department of Psychiatry Primary Care Mental Health Unit in Fremantle and providing clinical psychology services at Curtin University Counselling Service, Murdoch University Counselling service, and in the Department of Psychiatry at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
I started working part-time in my private practice in Fremantle in 2001 and have been working in full-time private practice since 2006. In 2008 the “Fremantle Clinical Psychology” practice was established and I was one of the founding Directors for 8 years. This practice was closed in April 2014 and I moved my private practice to Beaconsfield, where I currently practice three days a week.
Developing and enhancing the psychological well-being of my clients has always been, and continues to be,
central to my work. I ensure that I provide a safe and confidential space to explore your concerns and to help you develop insight and ways to move through your difficulties. I use a range of psychological therapies and approaches and please see Psychotherapy Services Offered for more information.
I currently work with children (mostly below the age of 14 years), and their families, plus with adults in individual
and couple therapy. I also see people who are referred under Work Cover and other insurances.
I developed a research program examining the use of hypnosis to assist patients with autoimmune disorders and was the first clinical psychologist to be offered the hospital's competitive and substantial Bicentenury research grant. Unfortunately I had to decline this grant because I had decided to move to Germany. During my work at the Prince Henry Hospital I spent considerable time working with staff and patients in the spinal and AIDS units and on the general surgical wards. I also provided an outpatient psychotherapy service to adult patients. I worked in this field for nearly three years until I moved to Germany.
My seven years in Germany mostly focused on developing and running the clinical interventions for my Ph.D.,
passing exams in the German language and then writing up the research study ready for the university examinations. Additionally however, I worked part-time as a research Psychologist in a private Medical Psychology research company associated with the Ludwig-Maximilian University in the first two years. I also maintained a small private psychotherapy practice working with adults and children.
I returned with my family to Perth in November 1997 and I took a break for parenting my two small children and also did some casual lecturing at several universities. I returned to my professional career in 2000 and have worked in a variety of settings doing research and undertaking psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults and families. Positions have included Research Co-ordinator at the UWA Department of Psychiatry Primary Care Mental Health Unit in Fremantle and providing clinical psychology services at Curtin University Counselling Service, Murdoch University Counselling service, and in the Department of Psychiatry at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
I started working part-time in my private practice in Fremantle in 2001 and have been working in full-time private practice since 2006. In 2008 the “Fremantle Clinical Psychology” practice was established and I was one of the founding Directors for 8 years. This practice was closed in April 2014 and I moved my private practice to Beaconsfield, where I currently practice three days a week.
Developing and enhancing the psychological well-being of my clients has always been, and continues to be,
central to my work. I ensure that I provide a safe and confidential space to explore your concerns and to help you develop insight and ways to move through your difficulties. I use a range of psychological therapies and approaches and please see Psychotherapy Services Offered for more information.
I currently work with children (mostly below the age of 14 years), and their families, plus with adults in individual
and couple therapy. I also see people who are referred under Work Cover and other insurances.
Child Centred Work
The problem areas I commonly treat are emotional and behavioural problems in children including ADHD, bed wetting and soiling, adjustment to parental separation and divorce, difficult behaviours at home and school, self-esteem problems, dealing with bullying,
obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety and depression. I also have
an interest and experience in working with IBS and abdominal pain issues, where hypnotherapy combined with CBT is very effective.
Adult Centred Work
Problems which produce symptoms such as depression and anxiety are the most common experiences bringing people into psychotherapy treatment. These common problems can be based in relationship issues (past and/or present), grief and loss issues, post-traumatic stress and other stress related problems. There are a range of problem areas I am experienced to work with, which you will find on the Psychotherapy Services Offered page. Along with emotionally based problems I have an ongoing interest in working psychotherapeutically with people who have medical conditions such as dermatitis, arthritis, lupus, asthma and irritable bowl.
Supervision
I also provide professional supervision to Clinical Psychology registrars and endorsed Clinical Psychologists.
Here my aim is to join with my colleague in developing their awareness, insight and skill base for their work
with their clients (see Professional Supervision Services page).
Advocacy Work
I have a strong passion for advocating for better mental health services in the community and have been very active for the last 15 years communicating with and writing submission to many community groups and State and Federal Governments, plus running several professional Colleges. My community work has included:
The problem areas I commonly treat are emotional and behavioural problems in children including ADHD, bed wetting and soiling, adjustment to parental separation and divorce, difficult behaviours at home and school, self-esteem problems, dealing with bullying,
obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety and depression. I also have
an interest and experience in working with IBS and abdominal pain issues, where hypnotherapy combined with CBT is very effective.
Adult Centred Work
Problems which produce symptoms such as depression and anxiety are the most common experiences bringing people into psychotherapy treatment. These common problems can be based in relationship issues (past and/or present), grief and loss issues, post-traumatic stress and other stress related problems. There are a range of problem areas I am experienced to work with, which you will find on the Psychotherapy Services Offered page. Along with emotionally based problems I have an ongoing interest in working psychotherapeutically with people who have medical conditions such as dermatitis, arthritis, lupus, asthma and irritable bowl.
Supervision
I also provide professional supervision to Clinical Psychology registrars and endorsed Clinical Psychologists.
Here my aim is to join with my colleague in developing their awareness, insight and skill base for their work
with their clients (see Professional Supervision Services page).
Advocacy Work
I have a strong passion for advocating for better mental health services in the community and have been very active for the last 15 years communicating with and writing submission to many community groups and State and Federal Governments, plus running several professional Colleges. My community work has included:
- I was president of the WA Institute of private practicing Clinical Psychologists (ICP) for three years from 2008 – 2011.
- I established with several colleagues in 2010, the Australian College of Specialist Psychologists, which was a national college open for membership to all specialist (post graduate trained) Psychologists. I have been president of this College since it started and continue its advocacy work for the profession and the community. The College was required to change its name in 2014 due to APHRA regulations around the use of the term "specialist". The College is now called the Australian College of Advanced Postgraduate Psychologists (ACAPP), and it has a strong focus on promoting psychological services within the community, liaising with State and Federal governments and other decision makers, and working within the profession regarding training standards and registration issues.
- I ran as an Independent candidate in the Federal elections in May 2019 for the electorate of Tangney.
- I ran for Melville Council for the Ward of Bateman, Kardinya and Murdoch in October 2019.
