Alex is a Registered Psychologist working at Myrtle Oak. Alex has completed a Bachelor of Psychology degree through University of Newcastle. Alex believes in a whole person approach to mental health, working on a biopsychosocial model and taking into account all factors in a client’s life that could be causing them distress. Alex has experience working with a wide variety of individuals with various mental health and developmental concerns, she is comfortable working across the lifespan from young children to older adults. She has a passion for helping clients feel safe and comfortable to explore the issues and stressors impacting their mental health.
Alex has a strong interest in eating disorders, having worked with clients with eating disorders in her previous role and continues to attend professional development opportunities to continuously improve her skills in this area. She has a passion for helping people understand the causes behind their disordered eating behaviour, reducing their weight/food related distress, improving self-esteem and promoting positive body image. Alex understand that an eating disorder can have a significant impact not only on the individual but on their family and friends. She believes that where possible having a collaborative approach with important people in a client’s life is helpful with to provide additional support outside of the therapy room. Alex subscribes to the healthy at every size principal, focusing on what an individual’s body can do for them and keeping that body healthy rather than focusing on weight. She advocates a non-diet approach, encouraging clients to eat mindfully and listen to their body.
Alex has training in a large variety of therapies and believes that there is no single therapy model that suits everyone. She believes in finding the right mix of therapeutic techniques to suit an individual and support them in a way they find most comfortable and helpful. Alex used a mix of therapies including cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, narrative therapy, play based cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interview and mindfulness. Alex understands that in therapy the value of the therapeutic relationship cannot be underestimated and practices unconditional positive regard towards all her clients.