Background
Megan developed her clinical interest in the area of perinatal mood disorders and parent-infant wellbeing while completing her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology. She completed her 12-month final-year internship at the Infant Clinic of the Parent-Infant Research Institute at Austin Health in 2005. In the subsequent 17 years, Megan has continued to work in the perinatal field, in major public and private maternity hospital outpatient settings (between 2006 and 2014) and in her exclusively perinatal-focussed private practice since 2013.
Megan has provided individual and group-based treatment for women and their families experiencing ante and postnatal depression and anxiety, difficulties adjusting to parenthood, parent-infant relationship difficulties, and reproductive loss and grief.
Megan graduated with an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Adelaide in 1994, then gained eight years' experience in project management roles, prior to returning to her postgraduate psychology study at La Trobe University in 2003.
Current Practice
Megan works with women and their families experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, or grief and loss around fertility, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and early parenting. She has a particular interest in helping women (and men) tackle self-criticism, overly high expectations, self doubt and feelings of shame during this vulnerable period of life using a compassion-focussed approach to therapy. Megan is also actively involved in speaking to groups of new mothers about parenting within a Circle of Security framework.
Approach to Therapy
Megan provides both short and long term individual psychotherapy for women and their families. Her treatment approach is collaborative, and depending on a client’s particular needs, Megan utilizes a combination of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, EMDR, and Clinical Hypnosis. Megan also draws upon attachment theory and psychodynamic approaches to better understand and address the impact of earlier life experiences on current difficulties. Megan also liaises closely with GPs, Psychiatrists and Maternal Child Health Nurses to ensure the best possible care for clients.
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 with The Perinatal Loss Centre
Publications
Andrew, M., Farhall, J., Ong, B., & Waddell, F. (2009). Perceptions of mental health professionals & family caregivers about their collaborative relationships: A factor analytic study, Australian Psychologist, 44(2), 94-104.
