CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
We are currently seeking the services of clinical psychologists and counseling therapists. Please contact us to express your interest.
PRACTITIONER PROFILE - TRACY RHODES
Tracy is a Cognitive-Behavioural clinical psychologist whose area of expertise is in the assessment and treatment of childhood and adolescent psychological disorders. Tracy has completed all of her clinical training at the University of Sydney through her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her training enables her to assess and treat a diversity of adult and childhood mental health problems, as well as conduct neuropsychological assessments and provide reports for educators and specialist practitioners.
Expanding on her clinical training, Tracy is currently completing a PhD at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on developing family based treatments for children who have co-occurring emotional and behavioural problems, such as anxiety and aggression. Tracy’s ongoing commitment to childhood mental health research enables her to implement the latest innovative treatment strategies within her clinical practice.
As Tracy is committed to the development of current research in the area of mental health, Tracy also works at the University of Sydney as a tutor and course coordinator for undergraduate students completing their psychology and education degrees. She has tutored undergraduate psychology students at the University of Sydney for the past 5 years and is the course co-coordinator for a course offered to final year undergraduate education students and social workers in the area of adolescent development. Tracy is also involved in the training and supervision of post-graduate students completing their Master’s and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology degrees at the University of New South Wales. Tracy’s role at local University’s reflects her passion in training students to become enthused members of significant professions that contribute towards the continual improvement of children’s mental and physical health.
What Services Are Offered?
- Clinical and educational assessment of mental health related issues
- Individualised treatment of childhood psychological problems
- Individualised treatment of adult psychological problems
- Parent management training for childhood disorders
- School based interventions for childhood disorders
- Parent and child grief therapy
- Neuropsychological assessments
- Training workshops and information seminars
What Childhood & Adolescent Difficulties Can Be Treated?
- Anxiety (fears, worries, avoidance, sleep disturbance, ritualised behaviour)
- Behavioural disturbances (conduct problems, oppositional behaviour, defiance, anger/aggression)
- Management of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Aspergers, Autism, ADHD)
- School refusal
- Attentional problems (restlessness, poor concentration, impulsivity)
- Depression (sadness, withdrawal)
- Bullying (strategies to deal with bullies)
- Eating problems (bulimia, anorexia, obesity)
What Therapeutic Approach Does Tracy Take?
Tracy’s therapeutic approach is grounded within a Cognitive Behavioural framework. This means that Tracy takes a directive approach in her therapy and examines specific thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Foremost, this approach looks at current patterns within our lives that maintain our difficulties, while simultaneously exploring the role that early childhood and/or significant life event experiences may have had in the commencement of these difficulties.
Based on her work with adults who suffer from overwhelming levels of emotional distress, due to their psychiatric problems, Tracy has also been trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. DBT has been found to be a useful approach when working with emotional distress in both adults and children. It is a particularly helpful therapeutic style for individuals having difficulties with emotional regulation, have poor distress tolerance or require strategies in mindfulness.
Training Workshops for Mental Health Professionals.
In addition to her clinical practice, Tracy runs training workshops and information seminars for professional agencies. Workshops include detailed training for psychologists in the assessment and treatment of childhood anxiety and aggression, especially when they co-occur. Information seminars are often provided to parents, foster carers and educational professionals in the area of childhood disorders. If you are interested in further information about Tracy’s workshops and information seminars contact her below.
Email
Mobile 0414 398 922
PRACTITIONER PROFILE - CARLA SARKIS
A person’s circumstances may be influenced by significant psychosocial adversity, as well as unhelpful perceptions and beliefs about themselves and others. When an individual lacks the strategies to cope with these personal and environmental stressors it can impact on their adjustment and sense of well-being. Becoming overwhelmed by their circumstances can place a person at risk of developing a mental health problem. Without appropriate intervention, regardless of severity, psychological problems may result in ongoing difficulties across many years. Carla’s role as an evidenced based psychologist is to offer support, as well as facilitate a adjustment through the implementation of various psychological techniques and strategies. Most importantly, Carla believes there is an opportunity for any person to experience meaningful change in their life. This means that when developing an intervention, a person’s temperament, history of their difficulties and current life circumstance are taken into consideration.
Carla holds an Honours Degree in Psychology (University of Sydney) and a Postgraduate Masters Degree in Organizational Psychology (University of NSW). She is currently working as a psychologist at Park Central Clinic in Campbelltown, as well as assisting in the design and implementation of their Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Program. With over 5 years experience Carla has assessed and treated people who have experienced a broad range of difficulties, such as depression, trauma, anxiety and life adjustment issues. She is fully registered with the NSW Psychologists’ Registration Board and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Carla is also eligible to provide psychological services under the Medicare Rebate Scheme for individuals requiring focused psychological treatment.
Counselling and Psychological Services provided
Carla offers a wide range of psychological services that are adapted to match the needs of an individual, depending on their current psychological difficulties. These include diagnostic and psychological assessment; formulation based treatment planning, psycho-education and evidenced based intervention approaches.
Carla’s main areas of interest are:
- Adult mental health issues; including depression, anxiety and mood disorders;
- Adolescent mental health issues; including mood disorders, behavioural problems and disorders, bullying, body image issues, self harm and suicide and the challenges presented by youth and adolescents;
- Life change and general discontent (feeling "stuck")
- Relationship/couple crisis
- Self-esteem and interpersonal issues
- Work stress and career dissatisfaction
Treatment Style
Carla’s previous training has incorporated several therapeutic modalities involving a variety of psychological techniques. Her primary style revolves around a collaborative, self-focused and goal directed management of an individuals psychological issues. The main therapeutic framework that Carla adopts is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. However, Carla is also trained and has advanced her skills in the following therapies, which are utilised when appropriate to the needs and circumstances of the individual client:
- Solution focused
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (Distress Tolerance; Interpersonal & Mindfulness)
- Motivation Therapy
Consultative Services
Consulting, training and psycho-educational skills based workshops and seminars are also offered to mental health professionals, educators and others involved in the mental health care of people. In addition, business consultation in the areas of workplace stress and employee management is also offered.
Mobile 0419 009 535