Effective help for individuals and organisations

Life changes or the build up of everyday problems can be very stressful. This may effect your health, limit your performance in the workplace or impact negatively on family and relationships. Speaking to a psychologist is a healthy way to relieve stress, develop new strategies and cope more effectively.

You will receive the latest information on best practice for a particular issue, since psychologists are required to keep up-to-date knowledge. They have many years of university training and professional supervision to gain formal recognition with the State Registration Board and may also hold membership of the Australian Psychological Society.

Where necessary your psychologist may refer you to another suitable treating specialist. For example, psychiatrists study medicine to treat mental illness and are expert in prescribing drugs for serious mental health problems. The psychologist, the psychiatrist and the general practitioner may at times work together for the best outcome.

Focus Psychology is a private practice where assessment and treatment is provided by highly trained psychologists with extensive clinical experience in a full range of psychological services including psychometric assessment, counselling, and preparation of medico-legal reports.

Consultancy to organisations including rehabilitation providers, insurance companies, solicitors, government agencies and private employers includes... workplace rehabilitation, trauma debriefing, staff training and mediation for workplace conflict. A program may be designed for the particular needs of an organisation.

In a relaxed atmosphere of privacy, our clients report they feel comfortable to discuss important issues of their personal, family and working lives. Confidentiality is ensured by our professional code of ethics. For privacy, written records are kept in a secure file away from the premises and may be requested from your particular psychologist.

Private health care rebates may apply for those with private health insurance. Treatment may be paid for by an agency following a claim for workers compensation, a third party accident scheme, as a victim of crime or by an employer via a workplace Employee Assistance Program.

Our consultants...

Lyn Everingham is the principal consultant psychologist for the practice. She may be your first point of professional contact and would suggest the most suitable therapist.

Alternatively, you may select a particular psychologist and that appointment can be made specifically with our office manager.

Lyn has 20 years counselling experience and training in therapy including cognitive behaviour therapy, eye movement desensitisation, hypnosis and narrative therapy. She has helped many individuals and families to manage behavioural problems, anger, anxiety, relationships, trauma, chronic pain, brain injury rehabilitation and depression. She has published research on anger management and been invited to give media presentations on child development issues.

Bob Craig is a consultant psychologist with over 20 years experience. He has worked in private practice in the Hills area since 1990 and uses an integrated approach including cognitive behavioural therapy.

He provides relationship counselling and family therapy as well as treatment for anxiety, depression and behavioural or learning problems for children and adults. Assessments and reports can be provided.

Bob has considerable experience in the area of intellectual, physical or sensory disability for the integration or rehabilitation of individuals. He is in demand as a clinical supervisor, consultant and crisis counsellor.

Reshmi Pal is a consultant psychologist who has worked in private sector and government organisations for 17 years. She has a long career in rehabilitation counselling in the field of disabilities and injury management providing clinical support to individuals and families. She has extensive experience in the education sector for services to children, adolescents and families.

She takes referrals for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, couple counselling, treatment for anxiety, depression and compulsive behaviours such as gambling and substance abuse. She is trained in hypnotherapy and uses a range of therapeutic models. She has experience in cross cultural counselling.

Vicki Garner is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years experience in providing counselling and therapy to children, adolescents and adults in both community health and private settings.

Areas of experience and expertise include depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and chronic pain. Vicki has postgraduate training in relationship and marriage counselling. She works independently from rooms at Focus Psychology and may be contacted directly by telephone on... (02) 9937 2790.

Therapy...

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most well researched and effective model for psychological treatment and is supported by extensive scientific research. Your consultant will assess and plan a specific program to be monitored and evaluated. This therapy has application for individuals experiencing personal change or for change within an organisational context for a wide range of problems. A useful website for the management of depression is www.depressioNet.com.

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMD-R). Whilst the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep appears to process thoughts and feelings in our dreams, EMD-R simulates this mechanism in the waking state under the guidance of a trained therapist. The method targets specific components of a traumatic memory for desensitisation, which reduces emotional distress.

The technique requires considerable professional training and experience but may achieve very rapid improvements for some clients.

Hypnosis and Relaxation Training are effective methods for treating a range of stress related problems. Hypnosis can enhance physical relaxation while maintaining mental alertness. Using this model the psychologist may identify key thoughts and behaviours to facilitate a step by step process for change.

During the trance state, the therapist may give specific suggestions to enhance motivation and improve well being. Many clients find a calming benefit and go on to practise self-hypnosis or meditation with yoga or tai chi, etc.

Narrative Therapy developed from family and relationship counselling and includes Brief Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. This approach empowers clients to identify personal strengths compared with a history of problems. The client is guided to develop effective change within the context of an empowering story of their own experience.

Finding and contacting us...

The practice is conveniently located near the Castle Mall just south of the Castle Hill shopping centre. Parking is available in Cecil Avenue or at the large shopping centre carpark in Terminus Street.

Appointments are available from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday as well as Saturday morning.

Our Office Manager can help you with any administrative matters including enquires about consultation fees and may assist to arrange a suitable time with the therapist to best suit your needs. Payment is accepted by credit card, cash or cheque. Organisations may arrange an account.

Please phone, email or write initially to discuss your needs. Lyn and her team assure you of professional and confidential support for your individual needs and effective management of corporate psychology issues.

Effective help for individuals and organisations