“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.”
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About Karen
Karen works collaboratively with her clients in a warm, kind, compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental manner. Building a trusting and safe space for her clients to feel supported, is Karen's priority.
Karen is a clinician with over 25 years of experience.
Karen has worked in hospital, community mental health and private practice settings specialising in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, pain management and other related issues. She uses evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy.
Karen is committed to staying abreast of the latest research findings to inform the treatment she delivers. With her extensive experience, Karen is able to match her client’s treatment goals with the appropriate therapeutic approach.
Karen works with her clients to enhance their understanding of their own difficulties and identify any unhelpful coping strategies they may be using. She then works with them to build up a range of helpful, personalised and effective coping strategies. She also aims to build her clients' confidence to independently utilise these strategies to maximise their quality of life for the long term, despite life's unavoidable challenges.
Qualifications, Memberships and Registrations
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) Honours
Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
Full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia PSY0001684655
Endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia for Clinical Psychology as an area of practice
Registration to provide clinical psychology services with Medicare
AHPRA Board approved Supervisor
Founding member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Member of the Australian Association for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (AACBT)
Member of the Anxiety Practioners' Network
Karen's areas of expertise include the management of:
Anxiety disorders including:
Panic attacks/ Panic Disorder/ Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety Disorder
Simple Phobias
Generalised Anxiety Disorder/ Problematic worry and rumination
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Health Anxiety
Depression
Perinatal depression and anxiety
Adjustment issues related to life changes and transitions
Peri/menopause and related psychological challenges
Perfectionism
Stress management/ Procrastination/ Motivation issues
Insomnia
Bulimia Nervosa and other body - image issues
Grief and Loss
Self-esteem/ Confidence issues
Communication and social skills difficulties
Difficulties with emotion regulation
Burnout
Karen utilises a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely-used skills-based, present-focused and structured therapy.
CBT focuses on how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected. In CBT you will learn how to identify and restructure problematic and unhelpful thinking, leading to reduced emotional distress.
CBT also develops healthy coping behaviours, empowering you to live life more fully.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a present-focused therapy that incorporates mindfulness.
In ACT you will learn acceptance strategies that help you deal with problematic thoughts and feelings, instead of struggling with them.
ACT also focuses on identifying your personal values, then bringing them to life with goal-setting, resulting in a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is used for more longstanding, recurring life patterns and challenges.
In Schema Therapy you identify and change unhelpful deeply-rooted beliefs (called “schemas”) that often develop in childhood and affect how you think and behave in relation to yourself and others.
Eye Movement Desentisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a first-line therapy that helps people process and reduce distress from traumatic memories by recalling them while engaging in guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centred counselling approach that helps you find your own motivation to change. It focuses on exploring and resolving ambivalence (mixed feelings) about change.
Instead of being told what to do, you are guided in developing your own reasons for change, and supported in your confidence to make the desired change happen.
FAQ
Maintaining confidentiality is an ethical obligation and absolute priority for Karen. At the start of therapy, confidentiality (and possible exceptions) will be discussed in detail with full transparency, so you can proceed with clarity and informed consent. Any changes to the confidentiality agreement will be discussed and agreed through therapy as needed. Communication will be handled as discretely as possible.
Karen is bound by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Charter for Clients.
Yes. In addition to face-to-face appointments, Karen offers sessions via the phone or videoconference, if preferred.
No, you may contact Karen yourself. However, in order to access Medicare rebates, a referral must be presented from your GP or a specialist doctor (such as a psychiatrist), and a Mental Health Care Plan must be in place.
Medicare
Ten Medicare rebatable sessions are available per calendar year, if you have BOTH a referral and Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or specialist doctor.
(For further information about Medicare Benefits Schedule items, please go to the Department of Health and Ageing’s website at www.health.gov.au. A copy of the Medicare Allied Health and Dental Care Supplement can be accessed from this site.)
Private Health Insurance
Some private health funds provide a rebate for psychology services. Please check your private health fund policy for more information.
Please note, that you can only claim a rebate for your session through either Medicare OR your Private Health insurance, but not both at the same time.
Simply call or email Karen to get in touch.
Voice messages can be left if the phone is unattended. Your call will be returned as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Karen will then conduct a brief, complimentary assessment over the phone.
If you are likely to benefit from Karen's services, an initial face-to-face or Telehealth assessment appointment will be scheduled with a view to ongoing treatment.
If not, Karen will help by providing alternative referral options.
Contact
Address
Suite 302A 9-13 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction NSW 2022, Australia
Phone
0421 061 664