Background
Sue is a Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and a Masters of Clinical Psychology. Sue transitioned to a career in psychology in 2013 after an extensive career in science and community development. Sue has worked in a range of mental health settings including public and private hospitals, allied health facilities, community health clinics, and private practice. Sue has previously worked at St John of God Hospital - Raphael Services, providing support to mothers and their families during the perinatal period. Sue also worked at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre providing psychological assessment and therapies to cancer patients. In her previous private practice Sue provided support to families and children with parenting concerns, child emotional and behavioural concerns, mental health issues, complex trauma, disrupted attachment, and chronic illness.
Current practice
In her private practice in Ballarat, Sue provides support to women and men throughout pre-conception, pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years. Sue works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, loss/grief, birth trauma, difficulties transitioning to parenthood, and relationship issues. Sue draws from her extensive experience in supporting clients with chronic health conditions such as cancer, diabetes and sleep disorders.
In addition to her private practice, Sue currently works at Ballarat Health Services in a multidisciplinary medical and allied health team, providing assessment and tailored therapeutic interventions, with a focus on antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, and parent-infant bonding and attachment difficulties. Sue values collaboration with other professionals working closely with General Practitioners, Midwives, Obstetricians, and Maternal and Child Health Nurses, to ensure optimal care for her perinatal clients.
Approach to therapy
Sue’s therapeutic style is warm, empathic and compassionate. She aims to create a calm and supportive environment, working in collaboration with clients to develop individualised treatment plans. Sue enjoys supporting parents to adapt to a ‘new normal’ whilst maintaining their own sense of identity. She draws on a range of therapeutic, evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Schema-Focused therapy.
Professional affiliations
Registered with Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Registered with The Perinatal Loss Centre
