Clinical Psychology with Dr Andrea Quah
wHAT IS clinical psychology?
Psychologists study individuals and groups to better understand how people, communities and societies function, and devise ways to empower them and help them thrive. We do this through our understanding of mental and biological functions that drive behaviour.
In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
They must have a minimum of six years of university training, engage in ongoing education, and adhere to strict ethical standards.
What we do
A large part of what we do is to listen attentively and take the time to get to know you. From there we:
Help you establish a narrative/story of your life’s journey thus far.
Assess your struggles, difficulties and strengths.
Help you understand the meaning of your distress and not just treat the symptoms.
Determine if your difficulties are within the clinical range and if so diagnose a mental health disorder and determine the best treatment.
Work collaboratively to identify and prioritize your goals.
Develop a treatment plan that is not only supported by current scientific research but also matches your personality.
Work with you to achieve insight, acceptance and personal growth.
Establish how past experiences can inform your future.
Liaise with other supports in your life such as your GP, school, and family.
Our Myotherapists are able to support you through the various stages from injury to recovery and to help manage chronic pain. We use an integrated approach to our sessions which may involve soft tissue therapy, mobility and strengthening.
A large part of what we do, is to work with you to enhance your movement by improving mobility, flexibility and strength. (Movement has been shown to help manage painful conditions). But why wait for an injury? We can also work with you through pre-habilitation (injury prevention in sport, occupations and daily life)
WE CAN HELP WITH MANY CHILDHOOD AND ADULT DIFFICULTIES INCLUDING:
Anger
Anxiety
Coping with physical health complications
Depression
Disordered Eating
Family relationships
Feeling lost, sad, and confused without any apparent reason
Grief and loss
Low self-esteem
Parenting
Panic attacks
School attendance difficulties
Pre and postnatal wellbeing
Self-Harm and issues to do with suicide
Trauma
WHAT DOES A SESSION LOOK LIKE
A typical session involves firstly getting to know you. Each one of us has different expectations and goals as well as different histories so it is important to understand these factors. As part of getting to know you, we perform physical and functional assessments to determine your current range and quality of movement. We put all these elements together and develop a plan unique for you.
Our integrated treatments may include a range of soft tissue massage techniques, joint mobilisation, muscle energy techniques and dry needling combined with movement-based techniques to manage pain and to get you moving.
From the sessions we aim to provide you with the skills, knowledge and support to be confident in managing your health to achieve your goals.
You can see a psychologist with or without a referral from your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist. If you obtain a referral with a Mental Health Care Plan, then you are entitled to up to 10 sessions in a calendar year with a Medicare rebate. This rebate covers a large portion of the session fees. Please call us for an appointment.