ABOUT PSYCHOLOGIST, CLAIRE

Pronouns: She/her

Claire is an understanding and compassionate therapist who strives to create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and emotions. Clients often describe Claire as supportive and friendly, fostering open communication and trust early on in therapy. This is helpful for clients to feel comfortable when engaging in those brave conversations. 

As a psychologist practicing in a clinical setting, Claire adopts a neurodiversity-affirming approach and views neurodiversity as a natural variation within the human brain.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology

Claire as a practising psychologist in a clinical setting is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). As a psychologist, Claire adheres to the professional codes of the Australian Psychological Society and Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

• AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002479722
• Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)
• Registered NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner: P1787897

Therapeutic Approach

Claire’s therapeutic approach is gentle, connected and client-centered, meeting clients where ever they need to be. When working with younger patients, Claire collaborates with families, support networks, and schools to ensure the clients are receiving comprehensive care.

Claire adopts a collaborative approach to therapy, prioritising clients’ goals throughout the therapeutic process. She focuses on establishing a safe and inclusive environment where clients feel empowered to address their concerns openly, working together towards achieving positive outcomes.

Experience

Claire has conducted diagnostic assessments within private practice and at various educational institutions across Sydney, partnering closely with support teams to develop comprehensive educational frameworks tailored to the needs of neurodiverse individuals.

Claire’s professional background includes extensive collaboration with Out of Home Care agencies, where she offered therapeutic services to children in foster care, provided invaluable parenting support for caregivers, and implemented trauma-informed behavior management strategies within school settings.

Claire’s extensive experience with trauma and neurodiversity seamlessly transitioned into her work within private practice, where she now provides counselling to children, adolescents, and adults in the general population, addressing a diverse range of mental health presentations.

Interests

Claire is experienced in psychological assessment for both children and adults and is passionate about supporting her clients to thrive with their new diagnoses. Claire has experience in the following areas:

• Adult/Teenage anxiety
• Neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism)
• Trauma/Attachment
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Anxiety and panic symptoms
• Low self-esteem
• Sleep problems
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Parenting/Behaviour Challenges
• Adjustment difficulties or managing significant life changes
• Relationship difficulties
• Emotional difficulties or emotion dysregulation
• Anger management
• Complex family dynamics
• Stress management and burnout
• Personal growth and wellbeing
• Communication skills
• Trauma
• Perfectionism
• Grief and Loss

Claire adopts a neurodivergent affirming approach and creates a safe and inclusive space for all clients, including transgender and LGBTQI+ communities, guiding individuals towards healing and empowerment. With her holistic methodology, Claire empowers individuals to forge healthy connections, establish purposeful objectives, and nurture a harmonious mind-body relationship, fostering personal growth and fulfilment.

Therapies

Claire utilises a range of evidence-based modalities tailored to each client’s unique needs, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-focused interventions including Narrative Exposure Therapy.

When working with children, Claire provides various Play Therapies including a Theraplay informed approach. Claire is currently extending her toolkit in somatic therapy with a focus around a Polyvagal Approach.

Claire holds the belief that therapy ought to be personalised to suit the unique needs of each client, allowing them to shape their own mental health journey and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. She prioritises pacing therapy according to each client’s preferences and values. Claire employs a holistic approach to help clients connect with their emotional experiences.

Personal Interests

In her down time, Claire enjoys rewatching the same handful of movies over and over again and being terrible (yet enthusiastic) about pub trivia.

Personal Strengths & Passions

Claire prioritises the importance of establishing personalised paths in life, conducive to mental well-being. Modern life continues to create a climate that causes strain on everyone and can obscure our personal values. Claire believes that taking time to be heard navigating your inner words is an experience everyone should have.

Claire is a highly valued member of the Positive Wellbeing Psychology team, providing psychological support to clients at our Armadale psychology practice and also offering online psychological services via telehealth for clients to access Australia-wide.