About Liane
Hi! I am a general psychologist with over three decades of experience. I trained at the University of Queensland where I obtained a Masters degree in Organisational Psychology. This meant that I came to therapy/counselling with a non-pathologising view of symptoms and behaviour. My view is that the vast majority of symptoms of "mental illness" are an understandable response to various life circumstances. Some deep in our past, some in our present. I have lived in Queensland and Tasmania and Victoria. In 2024 I move back to Brisbane and will practice from Victoria Point in the Redland Bay shire. I have a particular interest in trauma in it's many guises including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), childhood trauma, sexual abuse, rape, any form of assault, domestic violence, accidents, intense and sustained bullying including workplace bullying, traumatic medical events, and more. Trauma of various kinds is sadly a common part of most people's lives. I am passionate about helping people to heal from trauma and live full lives. I also work with a range of common problems such as anxiety and depression, relationship issues (Not couples counselling), work issues, what am I doing with my life? issues. I am LGBTIQ friendly, and enjoy working with people from many and varied places, cultures and sub cultures.
I am less interested in a definitive diagnoses, and more interested in what is blocking you from being fully alive and working with you to shift that. This may mean some traditional cognitive behaviour therapy but it more likely also means working in a range of ways that get at what lies beyond what your rational mind has to say. Most "mental illness" is not actually mental - it is emotional, and has psychological as well as social/environment causes, though this will clearly impact all aspects of you, including your thoughts. If you have gone as far as you can with other strategies and still feel there is something holding you back, then we can work together to find deeper ways to heal.
I also work with people who are wanting coaching either personally or professionally to live the life they truly want.
I have recently become very interested in adult ADHD and Autism (or ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder) or neurodiversity. I can do preliminary adult ADHD assessment. You will need a psychiatrist for a full diagnosis. I come from a strengths based approach while also recognising the challenges and problems that can accompany being neurodiverse in a neurotypical world.
I am less interested in a definitive diagnoses, and more interested in what is blocking you from being fully alive and working with you to shift that. This may mean some traditional cognitive behaviour therapy but it more likely also means working in a range of ways that get at what lies beyond what your rational mind has to say. Most "mental illness" is not actually mental - it is emotional, and has psychological as well as social/environment causes, though this will clearly impact all aspects of you, including your thoughts. If you have gone as far as you can with other strategies and still feel there is something holding you back, then we can work together to find deeper ways to heal.
I also work with people who are wanting coaching either personally or professionally to live the life they truly want.
I have recently become very interested in adult ADHD and Autism (or ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder) or neurodiversity. I can do preliminary adult ADHD assessment. You will need a psychiatrist for a full diagnosis. I come from a strengths based approach while also recognising the challenges and problems that can accompany being neurodiverse in a neurotypical world.
Approaches |
I work in a variety of ways. I try as much as possible to work at several different levels. One level is to help with better strategies for managing distress of all kinds. However if you don't address what is causing the symptoms then you are stuck with managing them for the rest of your life in all likelihood. Where possible, I like to look at the underlying root causes of unhappiness, dysfunction, distress and shift, heal or transform these.
I use a wide range of techniques including: Internal Family Systems (IFS - see the video section of this site for an explanation); Brainspotting (see brainspotting.com or in the videos section of this this website for more information); Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which is a form of CBT; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT); Mindfulness based techniques; trauma memory reprocessing techniques and some elements of Somatic Experiencing (SE); and some Solution Focussed Therapy (SFT) for shorter term issues - blending approaches in a way that is unique to you and your situation and needs. I am a firm believer in the bio/psycho/social model of understanding psychological problems. This means causes and solutions may be understood from a biological, psychological and social or environmental perspective. If you are depressed for instance, it is most likely NOT that your brain suddenly started producing different chemicals for no apparent reason. It is possible but not the most likely reason. It is more likely life circumstances and events that you are responding to. This will then cause your brain to change accordingly. This is not to say that biological causes are discounted. I do not do one size fits all counselling. For deeper issues a blend of techniques and strategies is probably the best fit. I work together with clients to establish goals for counselling and to determine the best way to achieve them. |
Rebates |
I am registered with Medicare. If you are eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, you will be entitled to up to 10 sessions in two separate referrals (6 + 4) in a calendar year with a Medicare rebate. Medicare rebate is currently $96.65.
Please ensure that you bring your referral with you to the first session if your doctor has not sent it independently. There will be an out of pocket component on top of the rebate. Call the practice to further discuss fees and rebates if you need more information. You can also use your private health insurance if you have extras cover (and are covered for Psychology). You will need to check your particular policy as to how much they cover for each session and in total in a year. I also accept Vic and Qld WorkCover clients. You will need your WC number and that psychology will be covered Or you can choose to pay privately with no rebate. There may be a fee discount if you are health care card holder. |