My name is Adrian, I have been working in the helping industry since the year 2000. I have been providing counselling as a registered psychologist since 2008. Prior to this, I worked in the disability sector for several years, first as a Support Worker, and then as a Clinical Consultant, and also as a Disability Employment Consultant. I am passionate about making a difference to people's quality of life and love the work I do.

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Some of the challenges

I can help with

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Please note I work with adults and adolescents (15 and above).

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Some of the issues I can support you with include:

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adjustment disorder,

depression,

anxiety/panic disorder/OCD

conflict,

frustration and irritability, 

stress (work/relationship/other),

grief and loss, 

trauma,

self-confidence,

self-identity,

negative thinking,

chronic illness,

pain management,

low motivation,

personal organisation and study,

life balance,

life satisfaction, 

and life direction. 

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My focus is working with individual adults.

I don't do assessment work.

I don't do court assessments, reports, probation or parole work, couples or family counselling. 

And I don't treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). My suggestion for those with BPD is to engage in a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, for example the Centre of Psychotherapy or via private hospital.

Even if you don't have private health insurance you may be able to join without the fund enforcing a wait time.

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Under NDIS, I offer support under Improved (CB) Daily Living funding stream work. I am a registered provider and assist with functional impairments due to psychosocial disabilities, helping increase independence, community and social engagement, and skills building, including emotional regulation.

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A bit more about me

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I have always had a natural curiosity about human nature, the way the mind works, how people choose to live life and how people react differently to challenging situations. 

 

Once I decided to make psychology my life's work, I left a full-time job as a Credit Union Branch Manager and committed to studying. Study never came naturally to me, struggling during year 11 and 12.

 

With a lot of hard work and determination I completed Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), received two scholarships and was awarded the Dean's Commendation from The University of Newcastle.

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After earning my degree I completed the two years further training to become a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). I am also a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) accredited provider (Improved/CB Daily Living Funding).

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I have completed numerous additional training courses, and I enjoy continued professional development every year, including ongoing peer supervision with the former Head of Psychology, Hunter New England Health, Professor Chris Willcox since 2008.

 

I also bring to my profession considerable and varied life experience which helps me relate well to people of all ages and from all walks of life. 

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I appreciate that life can be very challenging at times and when faced with multiple stressors it can be so overwhelming it becomes hard to see a positive future. Our mind tends to overthink and tells is all sorts of unhelpful things, and emotions can take over and stop us from doing what matters- which becomes a vicious cycle!         

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Counselling can help you develop skills to better respond to negative thoughts and emotions, sensations, memories, and provide clarity of mind, create fresh, more positive perspectives, build mental fitness skills, create more meaning in life, and increase hope and optimism. 

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After gaining a good understanding of your life circumstances and your personal challenges, we work collaboratively on therapeutic goals which provide a focus for therapy. I like to empower clients with practical strategies to improve life, often from session one.

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You will find me flexible, respectful, kind, caring and non-judgemental. I will do my best to support you during your time of struggle and in your efforts to improve and maintain your quality of life and psychological well-being. 

 

Finding hope, and learning how to respond to difficult thoughts and feelings, and to engage in what is meaningful to you, can make a big difference to your life!

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My favourite psychological approach is Acceptance Committment Therapy. Ultimately though, I adapt to your needs. Some well-regarded psychological approaches I also find useful to draw from include:

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,

Motivational Interviewing,

Solution-focussed Therapy

and Interpersonal Therapy. 

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Positive Psychology is also an area of professional interest for me. This is a field of psychology that helps us manage the inevitable challenges that life brings, while promoting well-being, pleasure, positive relationships and helps guide us to more satisfying and meaningful living. When life is going well it is just as important to take action to remain well.

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I am 100% committed to helping you reach your life and wellness goals, to help increase meaning and vitality in your life and to help build skills to more effectively handle uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and sensations and to build resilience, so you better manage future challenges and bounce back more quickly from the inevitable tough times and suffering that occur throughout life.

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The fact that you are on this website is a great first step- well done! If counselling is new for you I strongly encourage you to take the next step. I make the process as easy as possible. 

 

I look forward to meeting you and helping you. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions, via email or phone (0402 751 755).  

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