Lorraine Woods
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Mental Health (Therapies)
- Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Accredited
- AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
- Certified Imago Relationship Therapist
Areas of Expertise
- assessment and treatment of mental health issues
- depression and anxiety
- debriefing complex trauma, including PTSD
- suicide assessment and intervention
- adjustment and personality disorders
- general health issues, particularly adjustment to injury or illness
- relationships and family conflict
- grief and loss
- pregnancy support counselling
- longer-term therapy for improvement in personal coping
- self-esteem issues
I am an experienced clinician and skilled in a number of therapies, including CBT, Psychodynamic, Interpersonal Therapies, Relaxation Strategies, Skills Training, and Imago Relationship Therapy.
Background
I have over 20 years experience in working with individuals, families, and couples in a variety of settings. These included drug and alcohol and community mental health services, in which I gained extensive knowledge and understanding of addictions and mental illness, and their effects on the individual and the family. For several years I worked as a counsellor in the Family Court of Australia, which gave me an understanding of the process of separation, and the effect of highly conflicted break-ups on children.
As a Counsellor for the Department of Veterans Affairs, I provided therapeutic services to Veterans from all wars, conflicts, and missions with which Australia had been involved at the time. I developed extensive knowledge and skills in working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and its effect on individuals and their relationships with partners and children.
Though my work in all of these areas, I identified a common element. I observed that therapy progressed well if the individual was in a supportive and loving relationship with a partner. Conversely, difficulties within the relationship had an adverse effect on the therapy. This observation led me to the work of Harville Hendrix, and I trained as an Imago Relationship Therapist.
I am now in private practice where a considerable component of the work is with couples wishing to enrich their relationship.
Although I’ve built up a lot of skills and expertise over the years, the most valuable learning has come from the privilege of working with many courageous people who have allowed me to enter the most personal area of their lives. This intimate interaction has been a humbling and rewarding experience.
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Judi Barwick
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work with first class honours
- Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
-
Australian Association of Social Workers
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker - Trainee Imago Relationship Therapist
Areas of Expertise
- assessment and treatment of mental health issues
- depression and anxiety
- debriefing complex trauma, including PTSD
- suicide assessment and intervention
- adjustment and personality disorders
- general health issues
- relationships and family conflict
- grief and loss
- longer-term therapy for improvement in personal coping
- self-esteem issues
I have used many different therapies for individual and relationship enhancement, including family therapy, group therapy and facilitation, solution focussed therapy, interpersonal therapies, and anxiety and stress management. I am also trained in the effective use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which is extremely useful in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Background
I am very pleased to be a member of the Tara Counselling team. I am committed to the Tara Counselling philosophy of providing professional, high quality client service.
I have worked in a variety of mental health contexts, including general hospitals (13 years as a registered nurse), at Lifeline (as a Training Officer and face-to-face counsellor), for a large psychiatric hospital (as the Senior Psychiatric Social Worker), and with The Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a counsellor and caseworker.
I have extensive experience working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and I am acutely aware of it’s effects on sufferers and their families. I can provide appropriate and effective crisis intervention, counselling, personal support, and help with relationship issues associated with PTSD.
I believe in the power of a constant and reliable therapeutic relationship in treatment of all trauma related issues. I also firmly believe that emotional and psychological healing can occur within an intimate adult relationship, so I am training in Imago Relationship Therapy to help me to work more effectively in that way.
Counselling is a rewarding and humbling experience for me, especially my work with combat veterans, Defence Force personel, and their families. I really appreciate the opportunity to work at a deeply personal level with clients, and to help them to change their lives for the better. Private practice is both a joy and a challenge.
I acknowledge that when courageous people allow us to enter into and share their very personal experiences, we "grow" as therapists and human beings. When I am able to assist an individual to reach their full potential, I too am enriched by the experience as my personal capacity for empathy and change grows.
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© Lorraine Woods 2007, 2008. All Rights Reserved.