3/552 Waterdale Road,
Heidelberg Heights, VIC 3081
I help older adults (18+) with grief, anxiety, trauma and overwhelming emotions understand themselves, get to the bottom of their difficulties and build hope and resilience. I offer effective psychological treatment for a number of other difficulties that people can face. I often work with people who are also under the care of a psychiatrist. The below is an overview and not an exhaustive list. Please do not hesitate to contact for further information.
ISTDP is a type of psychological therapy based on neuroscience, attachment and psychodynamic theory. It works from the theory that most psychological problems arise from attachment difficulties that were experienced during the formative years, and are maintained by an over reliance on defences* which are no longer adaptive.
ISTDP posits that being able to feel and express one’s emotions in adaptive ways is key in maintaining good mental health. And that defences such as blocking, numbing, suppressing or avoiding any aspect of our internal life can lead to distressing symptoms, impact upon physical and emotional health and affect relationships with others.
Defences can manifest in a number of ways such as depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms (without a medical explanation), overthinking, self-defeating behaviours, addictions, body image concerns and sexual difficulties.
*Defences are psychological, emotional and behavioural mechanisms that enable the avoidance of emotional pain stemming from earlier attachment relationships.
ISTDP is a highly focussed therapy where both client and therapist aim to work at their highest potential. ISTDP assesses the moment by moment interactions that occur during the session which lead to a feeling, anxiety or defence. The aim is to keep anxiety at a tolerable level, help one see and overcome destructive defences and face underlying feelings, thoughts and memories.
Unlike some other therapies, ISTDP does not focus on specific “skills” or “strategies.” Rather, the aim is for the client to develop a deep understanding of themself; of the things that have been holding them back and their thoughts, feelings, values and desires so that they can be aware of and go after their own needs in a balanced way.
Research has demonstrated that ISTDP is effective in treating a wide range of psychiatric and psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse as well as in treating medical conditions where no underlying physical cause has been established: “functional neurological disorders” (e.g., fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches).
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. In the first few sessions, my aim is to give you a clear sense of how I work and to explore whether my approach aligns with what you're seeking from therapy. This initial phase also helps us begin to understand your goals, concerns, and what you’d like support with.
If you have questions before booking, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. This is not a therapy session, but a chance to clarify any queries you may have and determine whether you'd like to proceed.
Ongoing sessions are 50 minutes and are typically scheduled on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Due to high demand for services and the part-time nature of my practice, I’m not able to offer sessions less frequently than fortnightly. I'm not aware of any research supporting the efficacy of infrequent therapy sessions, and have found that they rarely bring about effective and lasting change.
