Chronic Illness Counselling in 3105
Prue Lewis - Clinical Psychologist
Psychologist, PsyBA Endorsed
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
Appointments available in May 2024. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, panic, depression, health issues, or diagnosed or suspected ADHD, we are here to help. Living with mental health concerns is difficult, but we want you to know you’re not alone. At our practice, we provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your challenges, and help you develop practical skills and strategies to improve your wellbeing.
Appointments available in May 2024. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, panic, depression, health issues, or diagnosed or suspected ADHD, we are here to help. Living with mental health concerns is difficult, but we want you to know you’re not alone. At our practice, we provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your challenges, and help you develop practical skills and strategies to improve your wellbeing.
Sandra Pucci
Psychologist, MPsych, PsyBA Endorsed
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
Sandra is an experienced bilingual clinical psychologist who sees different people from all walks of life, as circumstances bring many of us to therapy at different points or phases in life and for a variety of reasons. Sandra’s therapy setting provides a caring, not judgemental, supportive space where people can feel safe to express themselves and their inner feelings and where the person can have the experience to feel held in an accepting, respectful and empathetic way. This catharsis provides the individual with a freedom to unburden, relax and try to find a new stable foundation for a more fulfilling future and experiences.
Sandra is an experienced bilingual clinical psychologist who sees different people from all walks of life, as circumstances bring many of us to therapy at different points or phases in life and for a variety of reasons. Sandra’s therapy setting provides a caring, not judgemental, supportive space where people can feel safe to express themselves and their inner feelings and where the person can have the experience to feel held in an accepting, respectful and empathetic way. This catharsis provides the individual with a freedom to unburden, relax and try to find a new stable foundation for a more fulfilling future and experiences.
Belinda Tune
Psychologist, MAPS
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
Waitlist for new clients
I have been a practising Psychologist since 1991, working in the community sector (NGOs) and running my own practice - providing counselling and psychotherapy to individuals and couples.
I have been a practising Psychologist since 1991, working in the community sector (NGOs) and running my own practice - providing counselling and psychotherapy to individuals and couples.
Mercia Wessels
Psychologist, MPsych, PsyBA - Clin. Psych
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
I work with adults and adolescents who want to stop repeating old patterns in their life and relationships. You're the one who is always there for others, but find it difficult to accept help in return. Your friends and loved ones reassure you, but you're plagued with a feeling that you don't really have much to offer. Self-doubt holds you back, and a constant battle with your inner critic leaves you exhausted. You've already worked really hard to try and make changes in your life, but frustratingly, your problems return and you keep struggling with feelings of emptiness and unfulfillment.
I work with adults and adolescents who want to stop repeating old patterns in their life and relationships. You're the one who is always there for others, but find it difficult to accept help in return. Your friends and loved ones reassure you, but you're plagued with a feeling that you don't really have much to offer. Self-doubt holds you back, and a constant battle with your inner critic leaves you exhausted. You've already worked really hard to try and make changes in your life, but frustratingly, your problems return and you keep struggling with feelings of emptiness and unfulfillment.
May Lai
Counsellor, MA, ACA-L3
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105 (Online Only)
We have all been in situations that we wish were different. We want someone who listens respectfully, to support and encourage us to get through this situation stronger and to be proud of who we are. It can be reassuring to work with a professional therapist to help clarify our thoughts, who will provide tools to manage concerns and assist in putting a life plan in to action.
We have all been in situations that we wish were different. We want someone who listens respectfully, to support and encourage us to get through this situation stronger and to be proud of who we are. It can be reassuring to work with a professional therapist to help clarify our thoughts, who will provide tools to manage concerns and assist in putting a life plan in to action.
Breeanna Cross
Psychologist, MPsych, PsyBA - Health Psych.
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
Breeanna has held a long interest in the mind body connection and clinical health psychology. She enjoys providing evidence based treatment to a variety of people with mood and anxiety problems; pain management concerns; physical or psychological injury or illnesses; disordered eating, body image and weight management issues; life changes; grief and loss; parenting and relationship problems; performance, academic and career issues. Breeanna also offers expert consulting in the corporate field on matters related to workplace mental health prevention and rehabilitation, assessment and safety.
Breeanna has held a long interest in the mind body connection and clinical health psychology. She enjoys providing evidence based treatment to a variety of people with mood and anxiety problems; pain management concerns; physical or psychological injury or illnesses; disordered eating, body image and weight management issues; life changes; grief and loss; parenting and relationship problems; performance, academic and career issues. Breeanna also offers expert consulting in the corporate field on matters related to workplace mental health prevention and rehabilitation, assessment and safety.
Lena Risteski
Counsellor, ACA-L3
Verified Verified
Bulleen, VIC 3105
Do you wonder whether your goals and aspirations have been influenced by society? Perhaps if you were truly living for YOU, your goals would look quite different. Anxiety can dominate our lives until we start uncovering what we truly want out of life. Radically accepting yourself - and understanding your true desires and values - can set you on a more meaningful and fulfilling path. Looking at our issues in a Holistic way allows us to understand ourselves better, which fosters self-compassion.
Do you wonder whether your goals and aspirations have been influenced by society? Perhaps if you were truly living for YOU, your goals would look quite different. Anxiety can dominate our lives until we start uncovering what we truly want out of life. Radically accepting yourself - and understanding your true desires and values - can set you on a more meaningful and fulfilling path. Looking at our issues in a Holistic way allows us to understand ourselves better, which fosters self-compassion.
Chronic Illness Counsellors
How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.
How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.