Specialties
Trauma
For many people the symptoms of depression, anxiety, addictive habits and self-damaging behaviours stem from untreated trauma. Many people believe that trauma is untreatable and that we just have to move past these painful experiences but is near impossible when painful memories keep resurfacing, your nervous system feels out of control and you are filled with negative beliefs about yourself and the world.
I specialise in the treatment of interpersonal trauma such as abuse, neglect, coercive control, and bullying, as well as other forms of trauma such as serious accidents, medical trauma and disasters. Through the use of specialised trauma treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Internal Family Systems therapy, I help to heal the injured parts of my clients, allowing them to connect back to their deeper self, releasing the energy that has been trapped inside them and bringing vibrancy back into their lives.
Eating Disorders
In my role as an individual and family therapist at a specialist inpatient eating disorder unit I experienced just how distressing eating disorders can be, not only for those suffering directly but also for the those who are providing care. This experience was invaluable as I saw first-hand how painful it is to struggle with food constantly and how difficult it is to make lasting change.
I use an integrated approach to help manage the various behaviours associated with eating disorders. My preference is to work collaboratively with other treating clinicians such as GPs, dieticians and psychiatrists and I am happy to help find experienced clinicians as required. Unlike most eating disorder clinicians, my main goal is not to “get rid of” the eating disorder, but to come to understand it. Internal Family Systems therapy helps facilitate this process, transforming the eating disorder into a healthy part of a person’s internal system.
Depression and Anxiety
A significant amount of people suffer from depression, anxiety, or a combination of both. Initially I work with my clients to develop behavioural strategies to help them cope with the distress, low mood, and suicidal thoughts that often accompany these issues however this approach will only help manage the symptoms. Finding the underlying cause of these symptoms is essential to deep healing. Although there may be a biological component to the symptoms, the cause of anxiety and depression is often rooted in early trauma and the deeply held negative beliefs which develop as a result. Working on these deeper causes has helped many of my clients finally resolve this struggle.
Relationship difficulties
In my previous work as a family therapist I have supported couples and families to develop clearer communication, closer connections, and clear but flexible boundaries. We all know the pain of strained relationships and this can lead to significant distress if we are unable to resolve the issues. I work with my clients to develop honest, healthy communication which asserts their own needs while considering the needs of others. Strong relationships are at the core of human happiness and it is my belief that we cannot heal ourselves fully until we can develop healthy, loving connections with others.
Inclusivity
We have all taken on burdens from the systems around us which can lead to significant experiences of exclusion. It is extremely important to me to acknowledge that many of my clients experience structural disadvantage by way of their gender, race, sexuality, neurotype, body size, disability or any range of other physical or social characteristics. Working with the parts of my clients that have been hurt by this disadvantage is central to deep healing. I also recognise my significant privilege as a straight, white, cis-gendered male in a patriarchal society and I work hard to be an ally.
Psychedelic integration
Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy is a powerful therapy model which is only recently developing in the Western world. I strongly support the advancement of psychedelic medicine research which continues to show incredible results for a range of mental health conditions. Although there are only a few clinical trials available in Australia, many of my clients have accessed these healing medicines in other settings. I offer clients a way to integrate their experiences through Psychedelic Integration Therapy.