Expert, inclusive psychological assessment and treatment Australia-wide
Welcome! I'm a registered psychologist, with endorsement in clinical psychology, and I specialise in providing services for people living with chronic health conditions and disabilities, including chronic pain. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community I'm focused on providing inclusive and affirming services and knowing that physical access can be a challenge for my clients I offer my services exclusively via telehealth from my base in Rushcutters Bay in Sydney.
Let's talk!
Click here to book an intake appointment. This is a chance for us to check that I can provide the kinds of services you need, explain how things work, and to answer any questions you might have. Together we can decide on the best plan to move forward. This appointment is free of charge.
What I offer
Psychological assessment
All of my services start with a psychological assessment. This allows us to come to a joint understanding of your situation and what you hope to get from working with a psychologist. This includes something about you as a person, your background and what is important to you, what challenges you are experiencing and how you have been managing them, and your understanding of your experiences. It also gives us a chance to check that you feel comfortable working with me as that is an important part of how psychological interventions are effective no matter what the issue is.
Psychological treatment
Based on our understanding of the issues you are experiencing and what your goals are, we will usually work through a few steps over a number of sessions tailored to your situation:
psychoeducation: at this stage we will use what psychology can tell us to better make sense of your experiences and what may have caused them or is keeping them going.
setting goals: we'll work together to craft goals that are relevant to you and will make a difference to your life.
learning new skills: we'll look at how we think and behave can be changed to help achieve your goals.
planning for the future: we'll look at how you can continue to apply what you have learned to help you in the future and how to overcome any problems that arise along the way.
Chronic pain
Many health conditions are accompanied by chronic pain, and for others with conditions like migraine the pain is the defining characteristic of the problem. Working with a psychologist can help to reduce the impact of chronic pain on your life and help you to return to valued activities and relationships. You can find out more about the approach I use in managing spinal cord injury related chronic pain specifically in The Spinal Cord Injury Pain book, co-written with Professor Phil Siddall, Dr Robyn Murray, Rebecca McCabe and Lyndal Katte.
Services for people of diverse sexual orientations and genders
There are many reasons that people of diverse sexual orientations and genders experience mental health challenges, including coping with discrimination and navigating life transitions. Many folk worry about being judged or misunderstood when seeking mental health support or may previously have had negative experiences in healthcare settings. I understand that you deserve a psychologist who understands that your identity is not the problem, and that my role is to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about working with me.
Telehealth services are as effective as in-person services for most conditions, but it is also a personal preference. For people living regionally and remotely or for those living with health conditions it may offer more convenience and easier access.
When you book your appointment you'll receive a Zoom link to attend your appointment. If you aren't familiar with Zoom, you can use their test meeting link to check how to do it.
Yes, they can. I accept electronic referrals via HealthLink using the EDI (messaging address) cognitac.
The initial intake appointment is free of charge. The standard fee for 50-minute appointments is $350. The Australian Psychological Society National Schedule of Fees is available here. Eligible clients may be able to claim Medicare rebates or claim under their health insurance. Reduced rates are available for holders of a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Please contact me for further details.
Yes, you can. I have a provider number with Medicare which allows eligible clients to claim a rebate for services provided under a Mental Health Care Plan or Chronic Conditions Management Plan.
Let's talk!
Click here to book an intake appointment. This is a chance for us to check that I can provide the kinds of services you need, explain how things work, and to answer any questions you might have. Together we can decide on the best plan to move forward. This appointment is free of charge.