Vanessa
I’m Vanessa Newell, a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). I studied my Bachelor Degree at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa and then completed my Honours Degree at the University of South Africa whilst living and working in Sydney, Australia. I subsequently completed a 2 year registration course with the College of Professional Psychology (Sydney) and became a registered Psychologist in 2005.
I have over 13 years of experience working as a Psychologist and also over 10 years in various major corporates and boutique companies. My career experience spans a number of roles including office management in law, insolvency, and management consultancy. Additionally, I have vast experience in the vocational and rehabilitation industry, including recruitment, auditing, quality assurance and complex injury management within workers compensation. Subsequently, I moved into private psychological counselling within my own practice since relocating to Perth in 2012.
I regularly undertake and complete continuing professional development courses and I have certificates in various therapeutic strategies and therapies. My main therapeutic focus is Mindfulness based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), however I also utilise Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy as appropriate.
I also have a passion for developing tailored presentations and delivering mental health issues to groups of employees under EAP and I am experienced in on-site trauma and critical incident management and response. See my FAQ page for more information.
Nina
My name is Nina Shapiro. I am a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). I completed a Masters Degree in Psychology at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa in 1995. I also have a Bachelor of Primary Education which I obtained through the University of South Africa.
Following my professional registration as a Psychologist, I have worked in various settings including a Childrens’ Counselling Centre, 2 schools (one mainstream and one for children with medical and physical conditions that required specialised care) and a private practice.
While I work with both adults and children, my passion is working with children. My aim is to create a safe space where the child feels comfortable enough to express and explore what is happening in their world. Child and therapist (and often the parent/s) will then work together to find ways to reduce the child’s distress and to increase their coping mechanisms and self esteem. I use a variety of techniques such as play therapy, art, books, role plays etc. Every child is unique, and I will adjust the sessions according to the needs of each child. In my experience, a large part of the therapeutic process, for both children and adults, revolves around the person being “heard”. Of someone hearing and acknowledging their distress. And then helping them to find ways to manage it.
I will always remember the words of one of the children I worked with many years ago. She was experiencing heightened anxiety, a drop in school performance and had difficulty interacting with her peers. Once we uncovered and addressed the cause of her distress, many of her symptoms improved. During one of our sessions I asked her why she hadn’t told anybody about what was upsetting her. Her reply – “because nobody ever asked me before now”. It is one of my most important professional aims to provide every child that comes into my therapy room the opportunity to be asked, and the secure environment to explore, what is causing their distress.
I look forward to meeting and working with you and your child.
Nina also works from 314 Walter Road West, Morley