RACHEL WATTS

My Story

 

I have been working as a psychologist for more than 20 years with children, adolescents and adults in the United Kingdom and Australia. I am passionate about helping people understand their struggles and ultimately to work towards living a meaningful, contented and joyful life. I currently work with adolescents and adults.

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I have worked in two Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Birmingham Children’s Hospital (UK) and in a Family Therapy service. This work has included working with children and adolescents experiencing chronic pain, life-threatening illness, anxiety, grief, sexual identity issues, family conflict and behavioural issues. My work with adolescents is warm, welcoming and creative. 

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For many years I facilitated group programs for new mothers and fathers at the Parent Infant Research Institute, Austin Health and also taught in the Masters of Clinical Psychology program at the Australian Catholic University.

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Professional Services

I have been involved in providing training and supervision for many years. I love supporting people with their learning and development and always learn so much myself from each experience.  I provide nurturing yet challenging supervision, with an emphasis on the combining of theory and compassionate practice for supervisees. I have been involved in providing education and training for Psychologists, General Practitioners, Youth Workers, Maternal and Child Health Nurses, Counsellors and Teachers. For many years I have worked with work teams (psychologists, lawyers, nurses, GPs, teachers and Disability Support Workers to enhance their work through Reflective Practice Supervision.

 

Please contact me to talk further about your training or supervision needs.

 

My Training and Qualifications

• BSc (1989) University of Melbourne

• Grad. Dip. App. Science (Child Psychology) (1990) RMIT

• Advanced Certificate in Family Therapy (1994) Systems Co-ordinators 

• Post Graduate Certificate of Developmental Psychology (1996) Victorian Child Psychiatry Training Unit

• Graduate Diploma in Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (2003) The University of Melbourne/Monash University

• Member of the Australian Psychological Society, Clinical College Member

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I work with people to assist with issues such as: 

 

Depression

Ante and Postnatal depression and anxiety

Early parenting

Bipolar Disorder

Social anxiety

Generalised anxiety

Obsessions and compulsions

Stress and burn-out

Phobias

Panic attacks

Trauma and post-traumatic stress

Low self-esteem

Grief and loss

Adjustment to stressful life changes

Chronic illness

Carer burnout/fatigue

Employment issues

Sexual identity

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I use a number of evidence based therapeutic modalities including: 

 

• Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness

• Family Therapy

• Therapeutic Writing