Background
Vickey graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science (1982) and a Graduate Diploma of Adolescent and Child Psychology (1986). She became registered as a Psychologist in 1987, and went on to complete her training as a Clinical Psychologist, graduating from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the Austin Hospital, Department of Clinical Psychology (1989). Vickey began work as the Psychologist at the Mother-Baby Unit, Mercy Hospital For Women in 1990. At this time she commenced independent private practice providing individual and couple counselling, supervision to psychology students, and consultation to various organisations.
During her 8 years on the Mother-Baby Unit, Vickey provided psychological assessments and counselling for mothers, couples and families impacted by postnatal depression. She developed and conducted the in-patient Cognitive Behavioural group program, and provided supervision for postgraduate psychology and family therapy students in this setting. At the Mercy Hospital she worked in a collaborative environment with perinatal Psychiatrists, Nursing staff, Maternal and Child Health Nurses, and Obstetricians.
Within her private practice Vickey offers psychological services to adults who present with a variety of difficulties including perinatal depression and anxiety, grief and trauma. Vickey also works with couples and families, mindful of the impact that relationship difficulties can have on health and well-being and how individual mental health issues can impact upon relationships.
Vickey has been a Supervisor Psychologist accreditated with the Psychologists Registration Board, provided supervision for Postgraduate Psychology students and Family Therapy students, and provided supervision for the staff of Tweddle Child and Family Centre.
Current Practice
With over 30 years experience, Vickey works with women, men, couples and families who are experiencing difficulties during the antenatal and postnatal periods. These include difficulties with fertility, conception, pregnancy, or birth, adjustment to pregnancy or the postnatal period, reproductive loss, as well as loss through miscarriage and stillbirth. In addition, she works with clients struggling with issues related to family of origin experiences, trauma, grief and loss.
If required, Vickey offers counselling in Greek.
Approach to Therapy
Drawing upon her breadth of experience, Vickey assesses the needs of the individual client, couple or family, and can offer the following therapeutic approaches: Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation training, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Family Therapy, or Solution Focussed/Brief Therapy.
Vickey is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) which, when used as an adjunct to counselling, can assist clients with processing distressing or traumatic memories.
Professional affiliations
Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Member of (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists
Member of (APS) Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group
Member of Australasian Marcé Society
Member of International Marcé Society
Registered with The Perinatal Loss Centre
