ABOUT RACHAEL
Clinical Director & Principal Psychologist
Professional Experience
Rachael graduated from university in 1995. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to work with many different people and presentations. Her first role was working as an Intern Neuropsychologist in mental health in rural New South Wales. In that role, she received a good grounding in many areas of mental health including major depression, post natal depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and drug related psychosis. Later, she worked in hospitals and the community consulting with doctors, mental health teams and specialists for several years.
She then moved to Port Macquarie where she worked in adolescent mental health and in sexual assault services. A year or more afterwards, Rachael returned to be near her family and settled on the Gold Coast. Here she worked as a government department as an in house psychologist for many years. In that role, she provided therapeutic intervention and counselling, performed clinical psychological evaluations and continued with neuropsychological assessments. Private Practice had always been a long term goal for her and the decision to move was not taken lightly. In 2008, Rachael felt that she had gained sufficient life and professional experience to be able to make real and lasting positive change in people’s lives.
Her first practice was located within Saffron Street Surgery with Dr Carol Leader for eight years. Here she had many wonderful outcomes and provided one on one therapy, relationship therapy and supervision.
According to Rachael ... "Private practice allows the luxury of looking after someone from start to finish, guiding, clearing blocks and supporting them to live rich, full and meaningful lives. Watching people become well is one of my greatest joys."
LIFE EXPERIENCE
Wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Rachael knows how rewarding and difficult these roles can be. This experience helps her to bring a good working knowledge of healthy relationships and the skills needed to succeed.
Rachael is also experienced in balancing the demands of work and life. She has worked in both private and public sectors. Rachael has had many roles over her employment history and has an understanding of what it is like to be an employee, working mother, supervisor, boss and business owner.
EDUCATION
Her formal education includes:
•Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
•Graduate Diploma of Science (Psychology)
•Completion of two years internship under Dr Ann Delahunty to qualify for full registration as a Psychologist .
•Completed Level One, Two and Three Gottman Training,
Rachael is committed to ongoing professional development. Education is as an ongoing and important part of life. She attends numerous workshops, conferences and seminars every year to further improve her professional knowledge and provide the best service possible to her clients.
Rachael is experienced in counselling and can use various therapeutic approaches including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. She is currently in the process of gaining Gottman certification as a Marital therapist.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
* Allied Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Rachael is a Registered Psychologist with AHPRA
* Board Approved Supervisor for Internship Program for
Psychologists. She can provide either Primary or Secondary
Supervision under AHPRA.
* Australian Psychological Society - Member
* Association for Contextual Behavioral Science - Member
* Approved Member for The Gottman Relationship Checkup