The why is simple.
To connect.
The how?
Human-to-human.
It all began with a strong desire to help others.
Normalising human experiences is one of my most common and loved roles.
I am so grateful for the vast opportunities working as a clinical & health psychologist has afforded me. This privileged position to help others navigate their way through difficult times of life, and most importantly, to help them flourish regardless of what is happening in the world around them, is something I have not taken for granted.
My early career began with a focus on psycho-oncology; the human side of cancer. As a health psychologist I have worked to motivate people towards making healthy lifestyle behaviour choices, enhancing their psychological toolkits to manage a number of major chronic health conditions.
As a clinical psychologist I have enjoyed participating in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of several high prevalent mental disorders. I have worked in healthcare settings, mental health services, private practices and currently I share my time as a school psychologist in a regional secondary college as well as in my own private practice, The Psychology of It.
Growing professionally, seeking a successful and sustainable career, one in which I can thrive, I have come to recognise the value of balancing the deficit focus of the traditional models of psychotherapy, with the strengths focus of positive psychology.
Understanding that with or without mental illness, one can flourish in life, is the single most important message I believe I can share.
How?
It begins with connecting, human-to-human.
Read on to learn more about my approach with a difference.
If any of it resonates, be sure to connect.
I’d love to hear your story.
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What I love most about working in the field of psychology is that no matter how many similarities we share, none of us are the same. I’ve learned that diversity in how I work, where I work and who I work with is the key to remaining passionate and engaged in my life’s purpose; to be of service to others.
In my private practice, The Psychology of It, based in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, I thrive on the power of collaborating with my clients to identify the changes they seek, to problem-solve or decision-make the dilemmas they face, all the while empowering them to change their life, whatever that may look like for them.
My toolkit is ever-evolving, through annual professional development, allowing me access to a vast variety of evidence-based psychological theories, models and interventions to assist my clients to flourish in their lives.
Some of my favourite therapies and therapeutic tools include the following:
Schema Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness Meditation
Compassion Focussed Therapy
Positive Psychology
Run Walk Talk Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Brief Solution Focussed Therapy
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and the frequency and length of treatment depends on the individual. I welcome in person or tele-health appointments with a referral from your doctor.
Clinical peer supervision for other mental health clinicians is also offered.
Coaching
Coaching differs to traditional psychology which is often deficit focussed, that is, it focusses on a problem to be treated.
Coaching sessions focus on your strengths and are designed for those seeking to build skills and strategies to enhance specific areas in your life, or to improve overall life satisfaction and quality of life.
Contact me to discover how we can work together.
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Public speaking has provided a larger platform from which to share information, knowledge and skills to enhance health and wellbeing with the greater population.
Some of the settings I have been invited to speak as a clinical & health psychologist, mental health advocate, healthcare professional and cancer survivor have included:
Corporate workshops
Community groups
Keynote speaking
Motivational speaking
School based workshops for teachers, parents/guardians and students
Health & Wellbeing Conferences
Community fundraising events
Expert panels
Podcast guest
Radio guest
Recent topics and themes have included:
Anxiety management
Resilience building
Teen mental health & wellbeing
Cancer survivorship
Self-care
Preventing burnout
Mindfulness
Positive Psychology
Becoming Time Smart
Living a values-driven life
Boosting Wellbeing & Life Satisfaction
Stress Management
Flow
Mindset
If you’re interested in exploring options for working together, be sure to reach out, connect and start a conversation.
The possibilities are limitless.
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After my first retreat in Vietnam in 2018, my life changed. What I’ve come to learn about the magic of retreats is that they provide you with the space and time to discover the clarity you need to make conscious choices in your life.
Designing and leading wellness retreats allows me to share my passion for a proactive, preventative approach to wellbeing with groups of like-minded humans who are seeking positive change and who want to flourish in their lives.
Whether I’m designing and leading your customised group retreat, or you’re joining one of our Being Well Collective Retreats, I know you can experience the magic of retreating too.
What is a retreat?
A retreat can be literally anything you want it to be, so long as it includes taking time and space away from the routines and responsibilities of your daily life, to create clarity and opportunities for personal reflection & growth.
The retreat organisers take care of every detail so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.
My wellness retreats are the perfect combination of time, education & skill-building, nurturing activities & nourishing meals shared while building connections with others.
How long do retreats last?
The length of retreats can be anywhere from 2 days to a whole week. Sometimes even longer! We think, the longer the better, but getting away from home or work isn’t always easy, so flexibility is the key.
Where are retreats held?
Retreats can be held anywhere! In 2023, I led a two day retreat in Cape Bridgewater, Victoria. Eve and I led Being Well Collective retreats in Canggu, Bali, and Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, for example. In 2024, we’ll return to both Canggu and Port Douglas, for the fifth time.
Are there strict rules around food and drinks on retreat?
There are many misconceptions about retreats, including whether or not guests need to go without coffee or alcohol. While every retreat is different, on our retreats, we strongly believe in enjoyment and pleasure and choice. I have a strong belief in creating a 100% opt-in culture on retreats. There is nothing that is obligatory. You choose. Every step of the way.
If you’re seeking to retreat, please check out our upcoming Being Well Collective retreats, or reach out to discuss the possibility of collaborating on customising a retreat for your group today.
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Being Well Collective is my collaboration with the incredible Eve Drew, co-founder and dreamer behind Being Well Collective.
What we don't have in common, isn't worth sharing.
Both growing up in South West Victoria, ambitious, goal-orientated and driven, we pursued careers in healthcare, motivated by a strong desire to help others and contribute to our community. With almost six decades of experience between us working as healthcare professionals, we've ridden the highs and lows of what it means to give of yourself in order to ease the burden of others.
As women in healthcare, we have worked tirelessly to obtain the holy grail of work life balance. Having experienced the endless demand on healthcare professionals over recent years, we have both sought solutions to prioritise our own health to ensure we continue to have sustainable careers providing care to others.
We always suspected there were other ways to help, to reach more humans at once with tangible messages of health and wellbeing, outside of the clinical setting. In the beginning we both chose to retreat. In fact, it was in Bali 2019, whilst on a retreat that we began a conversation that developed into a dream of another way of working.
Over the following years that saw the world come to a sudden halt, Being Well Collective became a reality and we decided to give it everything we had.
Being ever efficient, we have engaged our strengths to make a formidable partnership, combining Eve's business and leadership experience and my knowledge as a Clinical & Health Psychologist and experience delivering wellbeing programs. We have both also undertaken a post graduate Diploma to become Positive Psychology Practitioners which enhances the programs we offer.
It is with great pride, that after 18 months of development that Being Well Collective retreats, Being Well @ Work and The Humanness of Being Well podcast, are ready to be shared with the world.
Be sure to check out our website and offerings today!
Positive Psychology
Positive psychology aims to enhance our life satisfaction, helping us flourish by focussing on our strengths, not our deficits.
Run Walk Talk Therapy
Run Walk Talk brings human movement into therapy, connecting mind and body to bring desired changes to beliefs and emotions.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, as well as promoting overall mental health and wellbeing.
Health Psychology
Health psychology explores the psychological factors influencing health and wellbeing, uniquely integrating the mind-body connection.
Wellbeing
True wellbeing is more than the absence of ill health. It’s an intricate web of our physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and cultural health.
Flourishing
To flourish is to experience the ultimate in optimal mental health and wellbeing. With or without mental illness, we can all flourish in our lives.
"I would like to say a big thank you for taking me on such an incredible journey with the retreat this year. A wonderful trip combining a personal growth journey, an amazing cultural experience topped off with great people, great food and the beautiful Bali."
— Melanie McDougall, Be, Breathe & Flourish Bali, 2023