My Approach
Clients request services for a variety of reasons and under a variety of circumstances. Some people seek help to resolve personal issues, some with relationship problems and others with work-related situations. As part of my family work I see many stepfamilies, drawing from my research. I also work with many clients dealing with trauma, grief and loss.
Some problems in living can be effectively resolved by drawing on an outside perspective from someone with considerable life experience and a wealth of professional knowledge. Therapy is a process of slowing down and reflecting on the present, providing a space to become more fully aware of our total experience in being. I see that people generally have the tools within themselves to create shifts and opportunities in their lives. Therapy works by drawing on these existing capabilities to help people overcome the challenges encountered in life.
My clients are varied in age, cultural and religious practices.
Theoretical Orientations
My core orientations include a range of theoretical models:
From Family Systems Theory I draw on an understanding that context is central. Individual strengths and weaknesses are learned in our early experiences and impact our behavioural patterns in the present. I also understand the unique contribution of culture.
I am interested in the neuroplasticity concept and in techniques which shift the focus of the brain, freeing up feelings which, while repressed, maintain patterns (symptoms) capable of interfering with growth and change.
I find Positive Psychology useful in highlighting the specific types of communication styles which enhance our relationships. This model also draws on theories of mindfulness.
I draw on Behavioural Theories and on Cognitive-Behavioural Techniques (CBT), which have formed part of my practice since graduation. CBT has been recognised as an effective tool for addressing depression and anxiety. It works by helping people distinguish between thoughts and feelings and interrupts the manner in which these impact on behaviour.
I also find Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) particularly useful in dealing with trauma. This approach is of value in treating depression and PTSD. Like other cognitive models, it enables the person to make healthier connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Following a trauma, people can develop a fixed way of constructing their thoughts, giving selective attention to specific experiences. This pattern influences how people experience their current lives — these patterns of thinking and feeling are referred to as "stuck points". Therapy in this model aims to shift these stuck points and supports people in revisiting painful memories that have the potential to be transformed. Avoidance of memories and using stuck ways of thinking are believed to interfere with recovery from trauma.
More on Attachment Theory
Another set of theories which inform my practice are Attachment Theory, Trauma Theory and Psychodynamic Theory. These approaches facilitate understanding the significance of unconscious processes and how they serve to sabotage "logical" solutions to the obstacles and challenges we encounter. These theories emphasise the centrality of interdependence in human relationships.
Arising from attachment theory is an understanding that people can stay in a state of arousal which can lead to rumination, and this state of emotional arousal can impact relationships. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides a useful range of approaches to better manage feelings and improve relationships. Learning to better manage these arousal/feeling states is a powerful way of gaining more meaningful relationships.
Regarding attachment theory: we rely on "attachment figures" for protection, support and in regulating our emotions — a unique dimension of how human beings develop in the world. By experiencing a safe haven and secure base, the child's confidence levels increase and they are better able to go out and deal with the world. Where this type of attachment wasn't available, the child is believed to develop an increased level of anxiety and/or will learn to avoid "disappointing" close relationships. Alternatively, through a secure attachment the person is more likely to develop an inner sense of security. Changing the past isn't an option, but changing present behaviours by decreasing anxiety and improving current connections provides the way towards recovery.
More on Trauma Theory
In a paper delivered at the Conference on Trauma and Mental Health in Jerusalem (2017), Professor Mario Mikulincer spoke about the important link between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Attachment Theory. He noted that following a trauma, people will seek out a safe haven and secure base — not unlike a child in distress searching for a parent figure to help regulate their emotions. A child unable to have a secure attachment to a parent figure will experience this as traumatic, and is more likely to develop a pattern of insecure or avoidant attachments throughout life. A later traumatic event will compound this situation.
It is also a strong possibility that in a post-trauma situation, the person can seek out a safe haven and secure base within the current environment of the home, army, work, neighbourhood or professional community.
At this conference I found it inspiring to consider that trauma could be viewed broadly as treatable not only through finding a safe haven and treatment opportunities in a therapeutic context, but also in the broader context — with the possibility of the whole community being able to learn psychological first aid.
All the speakers at this conference, irrespective of any particular treatment modality, highlighted the essential significance of compassion and care within an authentic therapeutic relationship.
My approach to treatment is individual and broad-based. I do not believe one size fits all and prefer to work collaboratively. I am thoroughly grounded in theories which aid me in understanding human nature and behaviour, and have been described as insightful and pragmatic. I am an open and straightforward person who counsels in a manner where interpretations are shared and jointly constructed. My approach to therapy is very interactive within a safe, confidential and authentic relationship. My goal is to help people close the gap between where they are right now and where they want to be.
Credentials
I came to Psychology via Social Work. I have worked as a clinician since my twenties and bring to my practice considerable life experience and a wealth of professional knowledge. I have maintained a passionate interest in my work and am fortunate to balance an active life raising a family as well as working with a range of organisations and with individuals and couples of all ages. I also work with groups, teach, train and continuously keep up my own learning.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. — La Trobe University (1991)
- M.S.W. — La Trobe University (1982)
- Dip. Social Studies — University of Melbourne (1971)
- B.A. (Psych) — Melbourne University (1972)
Memberships and Associations
- Israel Association of Couple and Family Therapy
- AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Registration Body)
- Israel Association of Social Work
- Get Help Israel
Publications
- Pre-Conditions for Role Conflict in Social Work Supervision (Unpublished Masters Thesis, 1982, La Trobe University)
- "Supervision", Australian Association of Marriage and Family Counsellors Newsletter (17), May 1983
- "Theoretical Integration as a Basis for Social Work in a Marriage Counselling Setting", Australian Social Work, March 1989
- "The Role of Self Awareness in Social Work Supervision", Australian Social Work, June 1987
- The Parenting Puzzle, with Ramon Lewis. Hawthorn: ACER, 1989
- Successful and Failed Remarried Families. Unpublished doctoral thesis, 1991, La Trobe University
- Professional Supervision Training — Video Resource Guide (with Dorothy Scott and members of the supervision standing committee)
- "Educational and Organizational Contexts of Professional Supervision in the 1990s", Australian Social Work, September 1998
- "The Meeting of Meanings", Psychotherapy in Australia, November 1999
- "Surprising findings on Mental Health following Covid-19", Jerusalem Post, May 2020
Selected Professional Development
Most recent
- MHPN Webinar: Contemporary care of ADHD in adulthood — May 2026
- Therapeutic nurturing, dissociation and Mindfulness — NY State Psychology Association, Division of Trauma — May 2026
- DBT Conference, Machon Dvir — October 2024
- Borderline Personality Disorder & mentalization-based therapy — MHPN Webinar, September 2024
- Suicide — Understanding and Prevention, Dr Klonsky — December 2023
- Identifying and Treating Panic Disorders — MHPN, November 2023
- Impact of Trauma on the Body — MHPN, October 2023
- Parental Alienation Conference — Ireland, October 2022
- Recreational Marijuana Use and Medical Cannabis — GHI Conference, September 2022
- Child Mental Health: Implementation and Strategies — MHPN, September 2022
- DBT Conference Tel Aviv, Jaffo Mifrasim Institute — June 2022
- Using an intergenerational lens when working with parents and children — MHPN, May 2022
- Coercive Control and its Impact on Mental Health — Dr Andrew Amos, Dr Karen Williams, February 2022
- An Interdisciplinary Approach to caring for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder — MHPN, February 2022
2020–2021
- An Interdisciplinary Approach to Caring for People with GAD — December 2021
- Assessment Workshop with Dr Alyson Aviv — April 2021
- ISP Immediate Stabilization Procedure — Dr Gary Quinn, April 2021
- MHPN: Interdisciplinary cross-cultural conversation on Healing and Recovery — March 2021
- MHPN: Providing Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care during Covid-19 — March 2021
- Working collaboratively to address Mental Health of people experiencing Chronic Pain — November 2020
- Treating Health Professionals with Mental Health Issues — September 2020
- Primary Care, Older Persons and Mental Health — MHPN, July 2020
- Engaging Children and Parents affected by Child Sexual Abuse — MHPN, June 2020
- Infant and Child Mental Health — June 2020
- MHPN webinar on PTSD and Veterans — April 2020
- Responding to the needs of a person presenting with Suicidality — March 2020
- Mental Illness, terrorism and grievance-fueled violence — February 2020
2017–2019
- International Public Mental Health Conference, Jerusalem — 2019
- Mental Health and the Military Experience — March 2019
- Infant and Child Mental Health — May 2019
- Military Member to Civilian: Identity in Transition — March 2019
- Grief, Loss and Older People — MHPN Webinar
- Trauma: Impacts from Adverse Childhood Experiences — 2019
- Grief, Loss and Ageing — MHPN Webinar, May 2019
- Mental Health and the Military Experience — May 2018
- Webinar Series on Borderline Personality Disorder — 2018
- CBT for Sleep Issues — MHPN, June 2018
- Personality Disorders and Substance Use — May 2018
- Self-Injury and Suicidality Management — MHPN, September 2018
- Self Care for Mental Health Professionals — MHPN, August 2018
- Infant and Child Mental Health: First 1000 Days — MHPN, September 2018
- Suicide Prevention and the Veteran Community — May 2018
- Collaborative Mental Health Care for older people with sleep disturbance — August 2018
- Gottman, Irving — series of online lectures on relationships
- International Conference on Trauma and Mental Health, Jerusalem — May 2017
- Online training in EFT with Dr Christine Northrup — 2016
- Canadian Symposium on Parent Alienation Syndrome (Amy Baker) — from 2009
2001–2008
- Creative CBT: 50 Novel Procedures for Helping People Change — Prof Ross Menzies, 2008
- Advanced Cognitive Therapy for the Emotional Disorders — Prof Ross Menzies, 2008
- Healthy Eating — 2008
- Taskforce Against Family Violence — Prof David Pelcovitz, 2008
- Narrative Therapy Workshop — 2008
- Recovery and Critical Incidents — Rob Gordon, 2008
- Anger Disorders and CBT — Raymond Trafate, 2008
- Becoming an Effective Supervisor — Michael Carroll, 2007
- Managing Sexual Difficulties — Dr Anita Elias, 2007
- Marital Conflict — Jeff Zeig, 2005
- Emergency Recovery Workshop — Rob Gordon, 2003
- Mapping Narrative Conversations — Michael White, 2003
- Co-Morbidity of Anxiety and Depression — Michael Yapko, 2001
Earlier (2009–2015)
- Panel on Trauma/Resilience following the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Sexual Abuse — March 2015
- APPS for Therapy — Michael Carr-Gregg, March 2015
- Cognitive Processing Therapy with Traumatized Patients — Department of Veteran Affairs, March 2015
- Suicide Prevention — Australian Psychological Society, 2014
- Case Formulation: The 5 Ps — Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014
- Children's Mental Health Service Training (Advanced) — APS, 2014
- "Working with Trauma" — Dr Sue Brann and Naomi Halpern, 2014
- "Depression and the Elderly" — MHPN, February 2014
- IPRED conference on Resilience, Tel Aviv — 2014:
- Attachment-related sources of Resilience and vulnerability to PTSD (Prof. Mikulincer)
- PTSD and Resilience and Neuro Science (Prof. Richard Bryant)
- An Integrative Model of Resilience (Prof. Mooli Lahad)
- Living well with trauma — IPRED conference Tel Aviv, 2014
- Dr Fortunato Benarroch, Trauma Expert, Hadassah Jerusalem — April 2013
- Dr George Halasz — Relational Trauma & Sexual Abuse, April 2013
- Chana Frumin and Gidon Friedman — Reclaiming Life from Trauma, March 2013
- Narrative Theory and Trauma — Jerusalem Institute of Narrative Therapy, 2013
- Rob Gordon Trauma Recovery — July 2012
- Support Systems for Men with Mental Health Problems — Guy Avihod, June 2012
- Love, Sex and Relationships — Shmuley Boteach, May 2012
- Adolescent and Child Trauma — Dr Estie Galili, Hadassa Medical Centre, 2012
- Obsession/Agoraphobia — Les Posner, May 2012
- Sexual Abuse — Communal Response — September 2011
- Framing Psychological Practice in the Context of Psychoanalytic Theory — Dr Peter Ellingsen, 2011
- Trauma Recovery — Dr Rob Gordon, 2011
- Cognitive Therapy for Self Esteem — Dr Melanie Fennell, 2011
- Reconnexion: Treating Panic, Anxiety, Depression and Dependency — 2011
- Anxiety and Exposure Therapy — Les Posner, 2010
- Positive Psychology — Dr Dianne Vella-Broderick, 2010
- Self-Care for Professionals — Bruce Stevens, 2010
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy — Mark Williams, 2010
- Treating Disordered Patients with Mindfulness — Bruce Stevens, 2010
- International Preparedness to Emergencies and Disasters, Israel — 2010
- Sleep Disorder — MHPN Workshop, 2009
- Depression in the Post-Natal Period — MHPN, 2009
- Training the Mind: Mindfulness, Brain and Behaviour, Israel — 2009
- Eating Disorders — Evelyn Field and Naomi Crafti, 2009
- MHPN workshops — 2009
Public Talks
Topics include:
- Intimacy and Communication
- Finding a Partner
- Enhancing Relationships
Honorary Appointments
- Member of AASW Supervision Standing Committee (1983–1994)
- Member of AASW Continuing Education Committee (1997–2013)
- Member of Board of Management, Drummond St. Relationship Centre (1997–2003)
- Member of the National Education and Knowledge Development Committee (2013–2015)