Background
Bianca attained a Masters of Clinical Psychology after completing a Graduate Diploma of Psychology, and a first class Honours degree at Monash University. Previous to pursuing Psychology, Bianca graduated with a law degree from Monash University.
As a higher-level psychology student and mother adjusting to new parenthood, Bianca developed a passion for women’s perinatal mental health. This keen interest in new parenthood and adjustment, informed her training and research foci. Bianca's master’s thesis was on an assessment of a perinatal informational support service for new parents "Partners to Parents."
Whilst completing her studies, Bianca was trained and supervised in her role at the Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) as a telephone support worker, conducting assessments, and providing supportive counselling to new parents. In this role, Bianca assisted a variety of clients at their first point of contact in reaching out for help, at times when high levels of distress and feelings of shame were prominent. Bianca developed a gentle, calming approach to help callers feel grounded, and comfortable about their help seeking.
In addition to her voluntary role at PANDA, Bianca was recruited by CARING MUMS (a not-for-profit volunteer service comprising women who provide emotional support to new mums in their homes). As the assistant program coordinator, Bianca was responsible for intakes of mums to the program, as well as training and fortnightly supervision of the volunteers caring for these mums.
Current Practice
Bianca currently works as a clinical psychologist in her exclusively perinatal-focused private practice in Caulfield South. She provides both short-term and long-term therapy to expectant and new parents and is committed to helping parents transition smoothly to new parenthood, and foster healthy relationships with one another, and with their children. Bianca sees women and couples who have sadly lost pregnancies, experienced stillbirth, who are working through tough decisions in the face of pregnancy anomalies, as well as those who are experiencing infertility and assisted reproduction. Bianca has a special interest in supporting people who experience gender disappointment.
Approach to Therapy
Bianca is client centred and flexible in drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches. This includes Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Bianca creates a non-judgemental, calm environment in which clients feel safe to fully explore their internal world (thoughts and feelings). Bianca recognises the importance of exploring Family of Origin dynamics and roles, to better understand self and current relationship functioning (with partner and baby). Bianca seeks to empower clients to discover their strengths, meaning and values, as they transition through the childbearing stages of life.
Professional Affiliations
Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Member of the APS Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group (PIPIG)
Registered Circle of Security parent educator
Registered with The Perinatal Loss Centre
