Use the online booking system (exisiting clients only)
My areas of expertise:
I have specialised in a trauma-informed approach to all of my work since early in my career. In particular I love helping people with recovery from narcissistic abuse, whether this happens within a family, workplace, or other social group.
My second passion is supporting health professionals experiencing workplace trauma, moral injury, and plain old overriding-our-boundaries burnout. Who helps the helpers? This is what I like to do and have done in group and individual settings for many years.
In terms of more specific diagnoses/situations:
- Depression, stress, anxiety, grief
- Dissociative presentations
- Navigating big life changes
- Trauma, including PTSD and Complex Trauma
- Physical illnesses and injuries
- I avoid couple therapy but I can work with you individually if you are in, or suspect that you might be in, an abusive relationship.
- I enjoy helping people reach their potential in career and other life goals such as having more authentic and gratifying relationships
What kind of modalities do I use?
These would include: Internal family Systems, Somatic Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Polyvagal Therapy, other trauma-informed approaches and Buddhist Philosophy. I was originally trained in CBT and this soon expanded to Mindfulness approaches and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as fundamentals.
People who have informed my work, and to whom I feel much gratitude, include: Irvin D. Yalom, Pat Ogden, Warwick Middleton, Gabor Mate, Shahida Arabi, Janina Fisher, Frank Andersen, Kristin Neff, Judith Herman, Rick Hansen and many more.
How does therapy run?
Your first session will take 60 minutes. That might sound like a long time, but I am constantly told that it passes very quickly. Expect to feel a bit drained after this session. It’s a good idea if you can plan to do something nice for yourself for an hour or two after the session to clear your mind. The first session will be less about problem-solving and more about getting a really good idea about you and your history, why you are here, and what your goals are. At the end of that time I should be able to provide you with an idea of how I can help, and we can agree upon a plan together.
Subsequent sessions
Subsequent sessions run for 50 minutes. Most people come to therapy roughly once a week for at least the first few sessions and after that might attend fortnightly or so, depending on the issue and how we are progressing. The amount of sessions a person needs varies greatly, depending on how they wish to use therapy and on the kind of changes being made. However, the majority of people are seeing some good improvements after the first few sessions.
Costs
The charge per session is $230. If you have a Mental Health Plan from your GP you will be reimbursed $141.85 by Medicare (this is a higher than standard rebate due to my clinical psychology qualifications). Have handy your Medicare card, Mental health Plan and a credit card and if you qualify for one, we can have your Medicare refund done on the day. If you have private health cover, you will also be entitled to a rebate of a different amount, but not in addition to the Medicare refund, and we cannot access this for you.
Unfortunately bulk billed sessions are no longer provided.
***Please Note: Our apologies that Alanda is unable to provide services to those with ongoing legal cases.
Services for DVA clients are provided.
Why I work online
I have been doing therapy over electronic channels for many many years now, both pre- and post-covid. I have completed 99.9% of my own personal therapy online due to geography getting between me and my preferred therapist. My personal and professional is supported by the research which shows online therapy to be remarkably effective.
It’s a fantastic option for people who:
- Live far away from their therapist of choice
- Are unable to drive themselves to appointments or accessibility issues
- Have young children and no childcare
- Prefer the privacy of home and no awkward waiting room
- Are busy professionals and want to minimise travel and parking time
- Some trauma clients feel safer at home and can therefore work deeper
Medicare and DVA will cover these services with your normal referral or plan.
Some people and presenting issues are not suitable for online therapy and this can be discussed in advance.