A Clinical Psychologist who thinks creatively about mental health, fusing Eastern modalities such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga with modern therapy methods such as EMDR and IFS- to help you find your wisdom and a way forward.  

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Research shows listening to music can boost your mood, reduce anxiety and improve your overall well-being. 
While you’re browsing my website why not listen to my therapy song!

 
 

Welcome

Hello and welcome! I’m Tiffany.

I’m a Clinical Psychologist and a trained EMDR therapist who believes investing in your mental health is one of the most empowering and life-changing steps you can take! I see therapy as an incredible opportunity to step out of the daily grind; to take a moment to pause and reflect on life and to ask that all important question: 
could things be going better?  

 Maybe you’re dealing with bad days that never end?  

Turning to alcohol, drugs, comfort eating, excessive spending or withdrawing from friends and family? 

Maybe you’ve experienced a traumatic event or you’re feeling crippled by worry or anxiety, struggling in a toxic work environment or piecing together a broken heart?

Or maybe you’re just not getting enjoyment out of things like you used to?

I’m here to help

 
 
 

Life can get messy sometimes and we need practical tools to manage our emotions.  That’s why I’m dedicated to providing therapy that has a real impact while also being an engaging, insightful and nourishing experience. 

More than just a chat, I stay on the forefront of what psychology has to offer, combining new technologies and creativity with tools from evidence-based treatments such EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga - enhancing this with mindfulness, meditation, music and body based approaches, so I can empower you with practical tools to manage your mind. 

 

What the heck is EMDR therapy?

 
 

EMDR is my ultimate passion.
EMDR is not your traditional talk-therapy. It is a well-researched method that involves working with memories, body sensations, core-self beliefs and emotions to process and alleviate stuck emotional, somatic and cognitive parts of past painful experiences.

So what is EMDR? Checkout this 5 minute video explaining how EMDR uses a similar process to REM sleep to help kickstart your brain’s natural ability to heal.

 
 
 

A bit about me

 I have over 10 years of experience as a Clinical Psychologist, working in both private and public settings. I have a specific interest in mindfulness, meditation and the mind-body connection, having spent 3 months volunteering in a mental health setting in Sri Lanka and studying in India, learning how Eastern Modalities (such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga) can complement modern therapy methods to treat a range of mental health concerns. I am also currently completing an Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga Certification, focusing on breath, movement, and awareness practices that build the blocks of a life-changing daily practice.

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Completed Professional Development:

  • EMDR - Introductory training with Graham Taylor.

  • EMDR - Advanced training with Graham Taylor.

  • EMDR and Performance: Removing blocks and raising the bar- working with athletes and creatives.

  • Structural Dissociation for EMDR training with Roger Solomon.

  • Neuropsychotherapy, EMDR and other Trauma Interventions with Dr Jennifer Sweeton.

  • Unleash your EMDR: The basics of advanced, attachment-informed, integrative EMDR.

  • New Horizons in EMDR: Harnessing the insights of Parts & Ego States by using an Internal Family Systems (IFS) inspired approach to trauma healing.

  • Ongoing fortnightly EMDR and IFS supervision.

  • Foundations of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy with Marsha Linehan.

  • Practical Skills Training in DBT for working with suicidal, high risk and difficult to treat individuals training with Marsha Linehan.

  • Treating complex trauma with Leah Giarratano.

  • Schema Therapy training with Chris Lee.

  • Contextual Schema Therapy: A guide to integrating ACT and 3rd wave therapy approaches to build a healthy adult mode in Schema Therapy.

Also currently training in:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) online circle.

  • Applied Polyvagal theory in therapeutic yoga certification.

Beyond my clinical experience, I have co-facilitated DBT group therapy programs, been a telephone counsellor for the Gambling Helpline and the Alcohol and Drug Information Service, volunteered at Lifeline, been a University tutor at the University of South Australia, worked at the Calvary Hospital and I’ve been a guest on The Hook Up on Triple J, addressing threats of suicide and self-injury as a means of manipulation in relationships and exploring when to have the conversation around wanting/not wanting children when dating (you can still check these conversations out on The Hook Up podcast!) 

 

Outside the therapy room:

When I’m not in the office I enjoy keeping physically and mentally fit through strength training, boxing classes and yin yoga classes.  I also engage in a daily mindfulness, meditation and breath-work practice. I love Sam Harris’ Waking Up app for meditation, however I also like to switch things up by using the MUSE headband; a brain sensing, immersive meditation device. I’m recently getting more into Breathwork, and for this I use the Wim Hof Method app or the Silentmode powermask (a sensory deprivation device that creates a personal sanctuary for guided breathwork and meditation sounds) with the Breathonics app. 

The treatment I provide has been shown to be effective for individuals who have:

·     Depression & low mood

·     Anxiety

·     Panic attacks

·     Mood disorders (including bipolar)

·     Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

·     Personality Disorders

·     Anger & aggression 

·     Assertiveness difficulties

·     Bullying

·     Work/ school issues

·     Phobias

·     Drug & alcohol issues

·     Grief & loss/ bereavement

·     Relationship problems

·     Self-esteem & confidence issues

·     Trauma/ PTSD

·     Stress-related problems

·     Suicidal thoughts & self-harm.

What I'm reading, listening to and my go to app:

  • Currently Reading:

    David Goggins - Can’t hurt me.

    If you haven’t read this book (I recommend the audiobook for extra content) - you absolutely need to! Can’t hurt me is brutal, real and incredibly inspiring. David Goggins has lived a life that truly demonstrates the extent of the human potential. It’s a book I re-read every year and find myself recommending more and more.

  • Listening To:

    Podcast - Dhru Purohit Podcast

    #167: EMDR: A Powerful Therapy for Healing Trauma with Dr. Stephen Dansiger

    This is a great podcast for anyone wanting to learn a little more about EMDR, how it differs to other therapies, how it affects the brain and who can benefit from it.

  • Fave app:

    App - The 5 minute journal

    The simplest thing you can do to start your day happier is by focusing on the positive and becoming more mindful! I have always loved a gratitude practice, but never knew what to do with my gratitude books once they were full. With this app, you can capture your gratitude practice in a photo a day, ditch the books and enjoy the collage over the year!

  • Singing Along

    My therapy song: Scissor Sisters: Take your Mama

    Something I love about music is its ability to trigger the mind-body connection. When I play one of my favourite songs, my fingers instinctively tap out the notes, my feet begin to move to the beat and my mind is suddenly absent of those nagging thoughts or concerns. In that moment - my mind and body connect. When I’m in a funk, my go to song at the moment is ‘Take your Mama’ by the Scissor Sisters!

Fees:

 

Costs: 

  • The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended hourly fee for a Clinical Psychologist in 2021-2022 is $267 per 50 minutes.

  • The fee for a 50 minute session is $240 (as of 1 July 2022) which is payable at the end of the session. A rebate of $137.05 per session can be claimed back through Medicare for 10 sessions (in one year) if referred by a general practitioner or psychiatrist.

  • EMDR sessions can run between 50 to 90 minutes. An extended 90 minute EMDR session fee is $300.

  • Please note, I do not see third parties such as Workcover, NDIS, TAC or Victims of Crime. I also don’t see clients solely for the purposes of assessment and I do not do court reports.  

 Rebates: 

  • If you have a referral from a GP or a psychiatrist for a Mental Health Treatment Plan you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate of $137.05 per individual session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

  • After we process your payment I can process your rebate for you via my online system. Medicare advises is that these funds will appear in your bank account within 2-3 business days.

  • If you have private health insurance that includes psychological counselling as extras cover, you may be eligible for a rebate. Please contact your individual insurance provider for further information about your individual coverage.

Other info:

Confidentiality  

All information you disclose in your session with a psychologist is confidential. There are three exceptions to this rule. The first is if you are as risk of harm to yourself or someone else. The second is if we learn of harm to a child or older person. The third is in relation to court orders.  

 

What can I expect from therapy?

Generally the first session is an opportunity to get to know one another, talking about your history, your goals and what it is you’d like to get out of our work together. From the second session onwards we go deeper, learning more about the therapy approach we’ll be using and exploring practical skills to help you cope and grow. 

I’m an avid reader who is a little obsessed with audiobooks, podcasts, new technologies and apps. If you’d like to dive a little deeper into what we cover each session, I will provide you with suggested reading material, video links, podcasts and other resources.  

Cancellations and rescheduling 

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call me ASAP to let me know (0493271873). 

No-shows or cancellations with less that 48-hours notice will result in the full fee being automatically charged. This includes sessions you had intended to claim a rebate for. All cancellations must be made by calling me or via email at tiffany@valentepsychology.com

Your co-operation is very much appreciated, as it allows cancelled appointments to be offered to clients on the waiting list.  

Make a booking:

 I offer appointments in-person and via Telehealth on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays at my clinic located within The Heath & Wellbeing Studio at 1160 Toorak Road, Camberwell, VIC, 3124.

I also offer telehealth only appointments on Wednesdays.