Mental health and wellbeing for families

I have been working with families for more than three decades. My interest in child mental health and wellbeing and the role parenting plays started when I became a mother. Parenting can sometimes be challenging and I wanted to find out more about the causes of my children’s behaviour and my own behaviour as a parent.

Through my work with Psychological services group and Centre for emotion-focussed practice I work with parents, children and teenagers to support good mental health and wellbeing. I also specialise in working with families concerned about parenting a suicidal young person including suicide prevention, risk and bereavement.

I have a Master in Suicidology and have also written a book – Keeping our Kids Alive, Parenting a suicidal young person – which explains exactly what it means to be a parent of a teenager who is struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviours and how to help. I also run a Facebook page where I share information to help parents support their teen’s mental health and wellbeing.

When it comes to seeing a psychologist, it’s normal to feel nervous or unsure about taking that first step. If this sounds familiar, this video about what happens during a first session with a client may be helpful.

I also contribute my expertise to news articles about child mental health and wellbeing. You may find the following articles of interest:

• ‘Sorting ‘red flags’ from run-of-the-mill chaos at a childcare centre’
• What it’s like taking your toddler to therapy
• The worrying mental health trend affecting Australians
• Engaged dads improve children’s wellbeing

There are also further articles which may be of interest on the schools and childcare centres and mental health professionals pages.

If you’re interested in working with me, please contact psychological services group or Centre for emotion-focussed practice to book an appointment.