Academic history

2019 Master of Social Science (Couple Counselling). Swinburne University of Technology

2013 Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis. Australian Society of Hypnosis

2010 Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis. Australian Society of Hypnosis

2006 Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy. The Cairnmillar Institute

2005 Certificate in Trauma Counselling. The Cairnmillar Institute  

2004 Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Deakin University

2003 Certificate of Accreditation as a Relationship Counsellor: Relationships Australia Queensland

2000-2001 Bachelor of Social Work. Monash University

1997-2002 Bachelor of Arts: Major: Psychology.  Monash University

Achievements and awards

2016 Golden Key International Honour Society for outstanding academic achievement and results

2014 Top student in a unit prize (ethical and social issues for counsellors)

1999 Golden Key National Honour Society for outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence

Published works

The use of hypnosis as an adjunct to mindfulness based cbt and psychodynamic theory to treat anxiety and migraine.

This case provides an overview of psychological interventions including hypnosis to treat John, a 22-year-old man presenting with a recent history of anxiety with panic attacks and migraines. He presented for therapy after a traumatic incident involving his mother, an abusive alcoholic. Since the episode he had developed some avoidant behaviours (avoiding socialising and driving) which he wanted to address.

Written works 

The relationship between parenting and partnering.

This essay explores the relationship between the way a person is parented as a child and the way they form intimate partnerships and parent their own children. It begins with Bowlby’s attachment theory and the importance of early parental social interactions in shaping children’s level of felt security. 

Families surviving grief, trauma and abuse.

This paper reveals that families confronted with illness can respond in dramatically different ways. In some families as tension and stress rises members are mobilized to work together to deal constructively with the demands it faces. In other families, such demands will unravel and immobilise the family system (Danielson, Hamel-Bissell, & Winstead-Fry, 1993; Holmes, 2015). By focusing on childhood chronic illness this paper will explore why some families will cope better than other families.

Systemic approaches to development and attachment.

This seminar paper will explore John Gottman’s theory of how relationships function well or fail. Gottman’s six factors that predict divorce will be discussed, and his evidence for these factors evaluated. Gottman’s suggestions for the repair of relationship damage or dysfunction will also be addressed. A minor critique of his theory will be offered, including reference to his methodology, and alternate theoretical perspectives briefly outlined.