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 - Poonka Govi
Poonka is registered with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board, and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Poonka also holds a Masters degree in Social Health. Poonka has a number of years experience in child protection and working with families. She has expertise in trauma and attachment, and is skilled in strengthening relationships within families. Poonka’s current work in child protection includes providing training and consultation to Department of Education to support schools in managing challenging behaviours in students affected by negative home situations. Poonka also has experience working with adults affected by psychiatric conditions and mental health challenges. Poonka is dedicated to ongoing professional development and supervision in an effort to provide the best possible service for her clients.
Poonka’s work with children, adolescents and adults include:
- Assessment and intervention for child protection issues or trauma related difficulties.
- Counselling for generalised issues: anger, anxiety, depression, and low self esteem.
- Parenting consultation for managing challenging behaviours.
- Family therapy and relationship difficulties.
- Social skills training
- School difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Drug and alcohol misuse.
- Development of individualised and group intervention programmes
- Training and in-services for professional
Referrals and rebates:
- Medicare registered service provider. Referrals can be obtained from local G.P to be eligible for medicare rebates
- Registered with private health funds
Contact Poonka:
phone: 0424 730624
email: