I’ve been practicing as a psychologist for over two decades and have always found a lot of meaning in work. I really enjoy listening to people and seeking to understand their inner world, experience and perspective. Seeing people transform to find more ease and freedom is very rewarding.

I engage with people in a collaborative, accepting, compassionate and non-judging spirit. This is combined with training in specific therapies that help people make positive change. My clinical interest areas are primarily helping people recover from the impacts of traumatic or adverse experiences; and I have chosen psychological therapies that promote effective stabilisation, self-understanding, somatic awareness, emotional processing, personal growth and re-connection. These include:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Attachment-informed EMDR

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

I also specialise in teaching mindfulness meditation to help people understand their own mind, transform stress and suffering, increase self-awareness and improve relationships. Mindfulness meditation is an important habit that can strengthen and support other areas of life. Personalised coaching can help people overcome barriers to practice, or to find new and helpful ways to engage in mindful living. I am trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness.

I’m a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor and supporting other psychologists, therapists, leaders and mental health practitioners is one of the most enjoyable parts of my work. Click here for more information about my clinical supervision.

Over the past 6 years, I have been studying psychedelic-assisted therapies in preparation for their approval in Australian healthcare settings. I have completed the Certificate of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies (CPAT) as well as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) MDMA-assisted therapy training. I am co-chair of the Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy Interest Group at the Australia Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) and facilitate educational webinars for members. I am also a member and certified provisional therapist with the Australian Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Therapists (AMAPP).

Alongside the growing wave of clinical research studies about psychedelic-assisted therapy, there has been a change in classification of psilocybin and MDMA that enable prescribing by authorised psychiatrists to assist with psychotherapy for treatment resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. There has also been an increase in the use of psychedelics outside of legal contexts by people in “underground”, community and nature-based settings as information about their use becomes more widespread.

While I never recommend people use psychedelics unsupported outside of a legal context, it’s important that information and education are provided to ensure the experiences people choose to have are as safe as possible. I provide harm minimisation sessions to help people think carefully about contraindications, preparation and risk reduction; or to assist with the integration process. I also provide psychological therapy for people needing help with prolonged adverse experiences following psychedelic use.

On 23rd April 20024, I’ll be providing a community workshop in Wollongong on psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia, the clinical trials underway, as well as harm minimisation and risk reduction education. Click here for more information.

As the Director of The Psychology Spot, I’m dedicated to ensuring we live up to our purpose: 

“To provide life changing therapeutic experiences for all people. Our skilled and compassionate psychologists welcome diversity and seek to provide services that feel safe and supportive for everyone. We work in partnership with you, in open-minded and creative ways to discover what works for your life. We are dedicated to continuous learning and we take our ethical responsibilities seriously.”