Paula Nicolaou is registered as a Clinical Psychologist and Supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia, and is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association and the Australian Psychology Society. She holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and has a special interest and passion in working with adult 50 years and over. Paula is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has
worked in the public and private sectors in the area of Older Adult Mental Health. She has worked with People with Dementia and their support networks, in Aged Care and Rehabilitation, in dementia research and corporate wellbeing. Paula has experience providing clinical supervision to postgraduate psychology students, provisional psychologists and clinical psychology registrars. Alongside her private practice she continues to work with the Department of Health and provides a clinical psychology service for community dwelling and inpatient older adults within a multidisciplinary team. Paula is passionate about helping and empowering older adults to cope, heal and learn from the challenges they face and achieve life fulfilment through enhanced mental health, connection, functioning and wellbeing. She offers a nurturing emotional space based in kindness, genuineness, openness and respect to facilitate compassionate reflection, learning and meaningful growth. Paula is interested in all issues facing people as they age, whether these issues have been long standing or have arisen in later life. She has a particular interest in working with, and helping people who are struggling with:
- issues from childhood or adulthood
- find ways to cope with current life transitions and stressors
- loss and grief
- chronic or terminal health conditions
- caring for people with chronic illnesses and conditions
- dementia specific counselling for individuals, families and carers
- emotions such as anxiety, depression and anger
- loneliness and lack of connection, supports or enjoyment
- relationship and family concerns
- adjusting to aging or end of life issues
- life reflection, exploration or self-understanding
Please note that Paula does not provide reports for forensic, medicolegal issues or worker’s compensation. Paula provides short and longer-term evidence-based, client centred psychotherapy. She tailors psychotherapy to embrace the individuals unique strengths, needs, preferences and goals and draws from a wide range well researched psychological and behavioural approaches including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
- Existential Psychotherapy
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Schema Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Older Adult Psychology practice is conveniently located at Inspiration Space, Unit 1 & 2, 885 Beaufort Street, Inglewood 6052. All individuals are privately billed and if eligible may claim rebates through Medicare or their Private Health Fund. It can be a little daunting to take the first steps in seeking treatment and Paula is happy to answer any questions you may have about the process and to discuss whether she can help you.
