Therapists and Staff

Sandra Norman-Barnes - ACT Therapist, Child Adolescent & Family Psychologist

BA, PG Dip Appl Psych, Assoc MAPS
Accredited ACT Therapist
Bulk Billing for Children, Adolescents & Adults Welcome

Introduction:
I work within an integrated, holistic and transformative framework to facilitate personal growth and development in order to maximise your potential.  My therapy is client-centred, flexible and respectful in nature, collaborative and transparent in process.

I am committed to providing a compassionate environment in which people can make positive life changes to overcome cognitive, emotional or behavioural problems.  I view each person as unique and as such interventions are individually tailored, aimed at helping you find inner resilience and outer resources which will enable you to lead a valued life.

Within the context of a therapeutic relationship you can develop effective strategies and skills that lead to empowerment; and improve hope, acceptance and emotional wellbeing in times of adversity.

Assessment, intervention and therapy are offered for children, adolescents and adults.  I strongly believe that early intervention is crucial in preventing problems from becoming entrenched, so I encourage you to take that all-important first step and contact me today.

• Areas Treated Include:
  

 Anxiety
 Depression/mood
 Parenting
 Health related such as chronic pain management
 Stress/trauma
 Anger/aggression
 Grief/loss
 Mental disorders
 Interpersonal
 Family conflict
 Spiritual crisis
 ASD Panel Work
 EAP programmes

Expertise with Children and Young People:
ADHD, autism, school difficulties (bullying, school refusal), motivational coaching, self-esteem and communication, excessive worry, phobias, panic, OCD, moods/depression, self-harm, health related issues such as eating/body image/sleep, substance abuse, sexual orientation concerns, social and performance anxiety, separation anxiety disorder, conduct and behaviour management.
Educational testing for IQ, learning disabilities and assessments for developmental delays can be arranged.

Medicare and health fund rebates are available for numerous conditions.  To receive a rebate from Medicare you will need to be referred by a GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.  Scaled fees can be negotiated for special circumstances.

About Your Therapist:
Sandra is a registered psychologist and associate member of the Australian Psychological Society and as such is bound by the Professional Code of Ethics, privacy and other legislative provisions, and covered by indemnity insurance.
She is dedicated to ongoing professional development and supervision in an effort to provide the best possible service for her clients.
Sandra is a human service practitioner with a diversity of professional and life experience, skilled in a range of therapeutic modalities.  She is the parent of two adolescents.
Sandra is currently undertaking a Masters in Educational & Developmental Psychology at Monash University.
Sandra is available at Gordon (PH:9499 2777) and Concord (PH:9736 2721) or by contacting the email at this website.  Online, email or telephone consultations coming soon!

FAQs:
How Can A Psychologist Help Me?
It is important to recognise that everyone has difficulties, suffers from distress or feels stuck or overwhelmed at certain times in their lives.  Seeing a Psychologist creates an opportunity to collaborate with a professional trained in mental health, human behaviour and development to reduce stress, explore issues which impact your life, and find effective solutions which best fit you.  Counselling provides a safe, supportive and confidential environment; a source to turn to when you don’t want to burden other people or when you feel there’s no one available to listen.  Therapy can help to provide clarity and insight, facilitate recovery from life events, deal with dysfunctional life scripts, develop new skills, or simply gain perspective from someone who is not directly involved.

Consulting a Psychologist can be of benefit even for those who are not suffering from adverse symptoms, for example, those who would like to improve performance, self-confidence, communication, wellbeing and quality of life, commitment and direction, or if you are simply seeking information or referral.

Which Treatment Approach Is Utilised?
With adults I use a range of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MBCBT, DBT/IPT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy which have been tested and found to be effective in the treatment of common psychological problems.  All three are proactive, practical, brief and time-limited, concentrating mainly on the present.  However with children these approaches may not be suitable, so Expressive Therapies and mindfulness techniques (Buddhist oriented Psychotherapy) are also incorporated in order to provide symptom relief and allow progress to be made in the shortest possible time.

How Often Do I Need To Attend And How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Consultations are initially on a weekly or fortnightly basis.  Frequency varies according to the needs of each person from 5-15 sessions.  Some clients require only a few sessions as they want to focus on a specific issue or immediate situation; others may need to attend longer term therapy so as to explore underlying issues in the past which impact current functioning, or for complex disorders.  Different therapeutic modalities may be combined depending on factors such as type of problem and severity in order to encompass the whole person in the healing process, and to facilitate integration which ultimately improves outcomes.

 

 

Make an appointment with Sandra Norman-Barnes