Family Psychology Practice

13/04/2024

I share this message with a heavy heart after learning about the horrifying incident at Westfield Bondi today. Many children and families were present and may have witnessed the distressing events. Whether they directly experienced the incident or heard about it afterward, there could be a significant psychological impact on children and teens.

Normally, schools play a crucial role in supporting children during times of crisis. Teachers are trained to help students cope, and psychologists and counsellors are available. However, since we're currently on a holiday break, students won't have access to this support for the next few weeks. I want to offer a few tips for parents who may be looking for ways to support their children during this time.

First, if your child was in Bondi today, they may be in shock. When in shock, our bodies enter "survival mode" and shut down some functions. It may take a few days for your child to start processing what happened.

Second, be honest and open with your child. Answer their questions when they arise and avoid dodging the topic. Children often need explanations to make sense of the situation, but the most important message is that they are safe and the danger has passed. Ensure that the information you provide is age-appropriate and try to protect them from excessive media coverage.

It's important not to overwhelm children with too much information or force them to discuss the event if they're not ready. Give them time to process everything.

When your child is ready, allow them to discuss the events multiple times. Children often need to repeat their stories to process trauma. They may also express their feelings through drawing or play—these responses are completely normal.

Be aware of potential changes in your child's behaviour, such as increased crying, distress, stubbornness, or other challenging behaviours. These changes are normal ways for children to process difficult experiences.

Watch for signs of increased distress, such as behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, hypervigilance, clinginess, and the need for reassurance. If these symptoms persist, consider seeking help from a professional. Psychologists, general practitioners, counsellors, helplines, and community health services are all available resources.

Remember that each child processes trauma differently. The best thing you can do is remind your child that they are safe and loved, and be there for them as they navigate this difficult time.

10/03/2024

Staff Profile: Giada Napoli

Giada is our wonderful Provisional Psychologist.

Giada is a registered Provisional Psychologist with a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and a Masters of Developmental Psychology and Protection Services (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan).

​Giada particularly enjoys working with children and adolescents and has gathered experience both from her 5 years of study and from various internship placements. Her experiences include working with children in primary school, work in a specialist trauma service for children and in a Corrective Services facility.

Giada has a trauma-informed approach and a family-systemic background, and a special interest in attachment theory. Giada has particular interest in working with difficulties such as: anxiety, coping with intense emotions, depression, social difficulties, overcoming traumatic experiences and navigating identity and self-esteem.

Giada has a genuine interest in children and teens and their stories and has a desire to support and empower her young clients, proving a safe space to open up in. Giada has a client centered approach to treatment and believes that any therapeutic work must be tailored to the client, especially when working with children or teenagers. Therefore, aims at identifying the person’s unique strengths and differences and finding creative tools and activities that can guide the minor through the therapeutic process, with the aim of finding solutions that are most effective.

Giada is fluent in English and Italian.

04/03/2024

Staff Profile: Alex Armistead

Alex is our wonderful Provision Psychologist.

Alex is a warm and enthusiastic registered Provisional Psychologist who values providing a safe non-judgemental environment where children, adolescents, young adults and families can feel heard and supported. He has previous experience working both in Australia and abroad with young people from a variety of experiences including teaching, behavioural therapy and as a psychologist. Alex has a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of New South Wales and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced at Monash University and is about to complete the Provisional Psychologist internship program.

Alex’s therapeutic approach is client centred, trauma-informed and guided by attachment theory. Alex works with children, adolescents and young adults in areas including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, grief and loss, coping with challenging emotions, interpersonal difficulties, bullying, developing healthy self-esteem and school refusal. Alex has experience and a particular interest in working with neurodivergent clients practicing in a neuroaffirming manner. He also has a special interest and experience working with gender diverse and non-conforming youth implementing the most up to date practice in gender affirming care.

Alex uses the most up to date evidence-based modalities in his practice and will tailor his approach based off the needs of his clients. Alex believes fundamentally in the importance of connection, providing psychological safety, as well as genuine curiosity and acceptance of the individual and their story. He believes these are central tenets for healing and growth. His approach values the importance of understanding the strengths, and what makes the person unique in order to practice in collaboration with his clients to support their well-being, and their goals in life. Alex values the continual development of his clinical skills as a provisional psychologist through practice, professional development as well as continued supervision from a variety of experienced mental health care professionals.

03/03/2024

29/02/2024

Welcome to the Family Psychology Practice Ale Hayes.

Ale is a recently graduated Play Therapist/ Psychotherapist.

Ale has a Postgraduate Diploma of Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology. She is a Certified Humanistic Play Therapist and Interplay Practitioner, having completed her clinical training in child-centred play therapy with Play Therapy Australia. Ale also has training and volunteering experience as a youth mentor in local high schools. She is a certified practising member of PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).As a mental health practitioner working with parents and young people, Ale is particularly interested in early intervention and well-being support. Her services include adolescent counselling, child play therapy, perinatal counselling and outdoor therapy (individual walk & talk sessions for new Mums).

In her sessions, Ale aims to create a safe, non-judgmental and nurturing space where clients can comfortably explore issues, identify unhelpful patterns, learn new skills, and grow into their best selves. Ale's practice is evidence based and trauma informed. She specialises in humanistic approaches (e.g. child-centred play therapy and person-centred therapy), and unconditional, relationship-based parenting. Some of Ale's focus areas include: self-esteem, emotional regulation, anxiety, low mood, transitions, life changes, birth trauma, gender disappointment and motherhood issues.

Ale has availability for new clients on Wednesdays.

25/02/2024

Welcome to our new Play Therapist.
Aideen recently started working at the Family Psychology Practice after moving here from Dublin.

Aideen has 20 years experience working with children and families, having worked in areas of addiction, mental health, intergenerational trauma and developmental/early trauma and attachment.

Aideen completed her undergraduate training in Bachelor of Arts, Social Care from Dublin Institute of Technology. She is a qualified Play Therapist through the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG).

Aideen believes that play supports a child to express their feelings and to make sense of their world around them. Additional support can be provided to parents to become more confident and better equipped to support their child.

Aideen is a Parent Child Attachment Play (PCAP) Facilitator and Circle of Security practitioner. Additional training was also completed in Sensory Attachment Integration Training and The Just Right State Programme (JRS). This focuses on developing the capacity for self-regulation, co-regulation and reflective functioning.

Aideen works with children aged 3-12 years and has availability to see new clients now.