I hold a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). 

I am also an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)

To formalise my family skills, I’m currently completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Family Therapy through the Bouverie Centre in Melbourne.

I’m trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Maudsley Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (FBT-AN), and Gottman Method Therapy.

I draw on a mix of interventions depending on you (or your family), your goals, and what we decide together. My interventions are always grounded in family theory, so the approach supports the relationships and connections you want to build.

Under Medicare's Better Access to Mental Health Care Program, Clinical Social Workers can provide approved focused psychological strategies and psychological therapies for a broad range of commonly experienced mental health problems including Depression, Anxiety, panic, phobias, substance issues, sleep problems, grief, loss and trauma-related conditions.

Treatment under Medicare involves a collaborative approach between your Doctor (either your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician) and me.

You will need to be referred by your Doctor with a Mental Health Care Plan (if through your GP) or a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan (if through your Psychiatrist).

Under the Medicare program you are able to access 10 sessions per calendar year with a rebate from Medicare. See my Fees for more information.

Under an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, Mental Health Accredited Social Workers can provide therapy treatment for individuals diagnosed with, or at risk of, an Eating Disorder, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders.

Treatment under Medicare involves a collaborative approach between your Doctor (either your GP or Psychiatrist) and me.

You will need to be referred by your Doctor with an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, which confirms you meet the eligibility criteria under Medicare.

Under this Plan you are able to access up to 40 sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate, subject to your Doctor's assessment and ongoing review of your treatment needs. See my Fees for more information.

The NSW Department of Justice offers a free counselling program to anyone who has been impacted by a violent crime in NSW. I am an approved provider for this counselling program. I specialise in trauma-informed approaches and domestic violence and sexual assault counselling for ages 12 and above.

People who have either been direct victims of a crime, or impacted by a violent crime, by witnessing it or helping someone experiencing violence, are eligible. The act of violence does not have to be reported to police and people who have experienced violence in the past are also eligible.

Common circumstances where people are able to access victim of crime counselling includes: domestic violence, sexual and indecent assault (at all ages), physical assault, home invasion, robbery, family members of homicide victims.

Full information about the Victim of Crime counselling program and other supports offered by the Department of Justice can be accessed here.

I keep flexible hours across two different practice locations in Newcastle, NSW (Newcastle West and Warners Bay). I also offer Telehealth appointments.

Please contact me for an appointment and we can work out what service delivery option best works for you.

Check out Who I am.

Otherwise I am happy to answer any specific questions you might have about my approach to treatment, just Get in touch.

Kevin wants to meet you! He’s a primary feature in my life but sadly he is not therapy dog trained so he cannot attend appointments. You might see us walking around Newcastle though so please say hi!

Kevin is a weekly attendee of the NDIS Pet Care Program at the Avenue. When he is not with his NDIS friends, he spends his days lying in the sun, chasing balls into the ocean and seeking pats from everyone.

I love hearing about everyone in your life - including your pets - so please make sure you tell me about them!