What I can help with
You might know exactly what’s troubling you. Or just know that you don’t want to keep feeling this way.
Perhaps you’re anxious, feel low or disconnected, or keep finding yourself in the same painful patterns.
I work with adults across a range of difficulties, with particular expertise in OCD and the lasting effects of trauma and painful past experiences.
We can start with what’s happening for you, even if you don’t quite have the words for it yet.
Difficulties I work with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and complex trauma
Intrusive thoughts & memories
Attachment and relationship difficulties
Dissociation
Difficulty relating to others (e.g. trusting others, people-pleasing)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Sleep disturbances and disorders
Anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, panic, phobias)
Depression and persistent low mood
Sexual dysfunction and paraphilic disorders
Low self-worth, self-criticism, shame and guilt
Does any of this sound familiar?
Something from the past still affects you
A disagreement or change in someone’s tone leaves you flooded with fear or suddenly feeling helpless. You may know your reaction feels bigger than what’s happening, yet struggle to settle it. Sometimes painful memories come flooding back; other times, you’re left wondering, “Why did that hit me so hard?”
Familiar patterns keep getting in the way
You know what you want to say, but “it’s fine” comes out instead. You might keep people happy at your own expense, feel responsible for their moods or stay quiet until resentment builds. Afterwards, you wonder why you did it again, even though you promised yourself this time would be different.
Nothing you do feels good enough
You might feel that other people are more capable, more likeable or somehow better than you. Mistakes feel like proof that you’re failing, while the things you do well barely count. Underneath it may be a fear that, if people really knew you, they wouldn’t accept you.
Anxiety won’t give you a break
You’re often a few steps ahead, working out what could go wrong and how you’ll handle it. You might rehearse conversations, pick up on small changes in people’s moods or feel unable to relax until everything is taken care of. Even then, it can be hard to let your guard down.
You feel low, flat or disconnected
Things you used to enjoy feel like effort. You might stop replying to messages, feel alone even in good company or get through the day without feeling much at all. Perhaps you then give yourself a hard time for not being happier, especially when you think you “should” be.
Closeness feels complicated
A delayed reply can leave you wondering whether you’ve upset someone or whether they still care. You might need reassurance that things are okay, or feel safer keeping people at a distance and relying on yourself. Sometimes you long for closeness, then find yourself pulling away when it starts to feel too vulnerable.
These can all be the effects of trauma
Sometimes what you’re struggling with now makes more sense when you look at what you’ve had to cope with.
Perhaps you learnt to keep someone happy to avoid their anger, or stopped asking for comfort because it rarely came. It may have felt like ordinary life. Yet now, disappointing someone might feel frightening, or needing support might leave you ashamed.
Repeated experiences like these can have a traumatic impact. We can explore how they may be affecting you and work on the reactions and patterns that are still making life difficult.
An unwanted thought leaves you wondering, “What does that say about me?” You might replay a conversation, check your feelings or ask for reassurance, trying to settle the doubt. It helps for a moment, then another “but what if?” pulls you back in.
OCD can feel like a constant loop of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours, all aimed at reducing anxiety, but never providing lasting relief. It’s exhausting, time-consuming, and can take over your life.
I’ve been treating OCD for more than 15 years, including severe and persistent symptoms. I work with both visible compulsions and mental rituals, using ERP alongside other approaches where helpful. Intensive appointments are also available for people who need more support putting treatment into practice.
OCD
Treatment Approaches
I draw on several approaches, depending on what we’re working on. I’ll explain what I’m recommending and why, and we’ll keep checking how it’s helping.
I’m an accredited EMDR practitioner, and EMDR is a central part of my work with trauma. It can help people process traumatic memories, reducing the distress they cause and their impact on everyday life.
EMDR Therapy
Different challenges require different approaches. I apply a range of evidence-based therapies, adjusting treatment to what works best for you. This includes:
Parts work
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Schema Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion-focused therapy
Motivational Interviewing
If your Christian faith is important to you, we can include that in our work
Other approaches
Interested in working together? Have questions?
I’d love to hear from you.
Appointments are available online across Australia and in person in Warrandyte, Melbourne.