|
Our Healthcare Professional Advisory Committee (HPAc) has been implemented to provide advice, recommendation, support and practical assistance and input to all areas of service provision to ensure that it is maintained to the highest standard and proactively supports the health and wellbeing of all Working Well clients and visitors. The HPAc is also involved in the development, review and maintenance of all medical and health-related information provided within the website.
Philip Armstrong – CEO of the Australian Counselling Association
“… also President of the Federation of Psychotherapists and Counsellors of Queensland Inc and Clinical Director of the Clinical Counselling Centre, a seven room counselling and psychological practice in the Grange, Queensland. These positions, I feel, reflect how well entrenched I am in the mental health field. This is obviously by choice, but not one of conscience, but one derived from a love with working with and helping people. I received my graduate training at the University of New England (NSW). My formal training started with the completion of several Diplomas the last being in Counselling. I spent my early years in the field working in the NGO sector with primarily depressed veterans and youth. This was an advantage and disadvantage when I undertook my graduate training and first realised there were some academics training me in an area they had very little hands on experience but plenty of knowledge in theory and research. It took me a while to realise we all have a role to play. My interest in depression is as a practitioner who still works in the field and is confronted on a weekly basis with depressed clients. I am interested to learn from other practitioners experience and from any practical research or resources that are available. I would also like to contribute whatever I can that is appropriate and what others want.”
Dr Lydia Bennet – Clinical Psychologist
“I have worked in the field of psychology for many years. It commenced with me working as a voluntary counsellor with Helping Hand in the 80s. I have published more than 50 pieces of work including books, chapters in books and research papers. Some of my research has included measurements of depression, anxiety and stress. I have produced a relaxation CD and I was chair of the Sydney Branch of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) in Sydney and served on many committees for the APS. I am a founding member of the APS College of Health Psychologists. I was previously a Professor at The University of Sydney and am currently working in private practice as a psychologist. My main professional technique is cognitive behaviour therapy. I am keen to make people more aware about depression as it is an awful disease and many people suffer with it in silence. It concerns me the number of people who do not realise that they are depressed. I want to assist in practical ways, increasing public and health professionals’ awareness of depression, encouraging assessment and early intervention.”
Bruni Brewin – President of the Australian Hypnotherapy Association
“...This has been my 5th year in office. I have worked as a Trauma & Pain Management Therapist in Workers Compensation cases where depression (especially in continual pain due to accident) had been the main focus of my therapy. I have also worked as a Child Sexual Assault Counsellor with children, but find my most useful work is in releasing the feelings of abuse still felt many years later in survivors of child sexual assault who had missed the system to obtain help at that earlier time.
Physical and psychological abuse both in childhood and later into adulthood has been my main work. Depression is becoming more and more of a problem in this age and I believe Hypnotherapy has a part to play in releasing 'stuck' feelings and emotions of depression housed in the subconscious mind.”
Vanita Dahia - Compounding Pharmacist
Vanita maintains the fine traditions of the old apothecary whilst incorporating the latest technological advances. She graduated from South Africa, has operated and owned Dartnells Pharmacy, a Surrey Hills (VIC) apothecary established in 1880's, for 15 years. She trained in compounding pharmacy in the USA, and is a member of PSA, PCCA (Professional Compounding Centre Of America) and IACP (International Association of Compounding Pharmacists). She specialises in research and development and the compounding of custom tailored nutritional medicine, cosmaceuticals and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She has trained in ayurvedic, herbal, and homoeopathic medicine, iridology, free radical therapy, reiki and pranic healing. She constantly strives to enhance the healing process in patients in liaison with allied health professionals by holistically bringing together the complementary aspects of different modalities.
Susan Jarmo – Massage Therapist
Susan is a Massage Therapist who has undergone study in complementary medicine, massage, health and nutrition, western herbal medicine and hypnotherapy. In addition she completed a degree in Psychology and Philosophy in 1993, and will be undertaking an Honours year in Cultural Studies next year. Susan came to Australia in 1982 from Hungary.
“I have been involved a lot of different organisations, ranging from BPW Peninsula to our local Domestic Violence Refuge. I deal mostly with women's groups. Currently I am involved in the running of the Massage Association of Australia from my clinic. My main interest is Anti-Aging medicine, and I found that 40+ people often have difficulty dealing with aging, and that often results in depression.”
Dawn Vincent – Mental Health Social Worker
“I am a Social Worker with over 25 years experience working in vocational rehabilitation assisting people with physical and psychological disabilities find employment. Over the years I have tended to specialise in clients with mental health issues and enjoy assisting people to overcome the barriers to employment or enjoyment of life. In 2005 I set up my own private counselling practice in Camberwell. I am an accredited Social Worker who has been approved by Medicare as a Mental Health Worker under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Strategy. Most of my work involves helping people with anxiety and depression, but I also see couples and provide career counselling to people with work related issues. I am currently planning a group for women who want to strengthen their mental health and address issues such as depression and anxiety."
|
