The courage to be different...
| Neo's highly trained and experienced consultants provide evidence-based, best practice counselling and therapy including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy. We also recognise that people frequently require a broader range of counselling options including parent support and guidance as well as school, life and executive coaching. Dr Crisp oversees the provision of all counselling and therapy through regular case supervision. He has taught post-graduate counselling psychology (at Monash University), and has been a clinical supervisor, trainer and clinical Director of counselling services for well over a decade. |  |
Effective psychological counselling always involves clarifying the problem or issue, working together with the client to find solutions and empowering them to take charge by putting decisions into action. Due to the broad range of expertise within our team, we can match a counselling approach or method that suits the unique needs of the client rather than expect the client to fit into just one option.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a short to medium term approach that involves tailoring practical strategies to well defined problems that can quickly help people make behavioural changes, learn new self-management or inter-personal skills. The emphasis is on understanding how thinking, emotions and behaviour influence each other in order to change how these interact. CBT has an excellent evidence-base in addressing many common issues such as emotional management, reducing depression and anxiety, changing health related behaviour, |
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improving problem-solving, and so on. CBT approaches include recent variants including mindfulness-based therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a short to medium term approach which focusses on the role relationships and interactions between people play in psychological problems. Through a careful clinical assessment, a formulation is developed with the client which then highlights interpersonal areas to address. This might include developing new roles or approaches within relationships, or learning specific relationship skills. IPT has an extremely good evidence-base in addressing many common issues such as depression, anxiety, substance misuse, bulimia, problems with relationships, and gaps in social development.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a medium to long-term approach that focuses on developing an empathic relationship between client and therapist. The therapist helps the client to reflect on and broadly explore different aspects of the client's thoughts, behaviours, motivations and relationships. Through a collaborative problem-solving approach, issues that were once confusing can become sorted through and put into a more balanced perspective. The emphasis here is to gain greater self-knowledge by becoming more aware of the patterns of how we behave and interact with others, or cope with the pressures in our lives. With this increased self-awareness, clients become clearer about what motivates them, why they may experience inner conflict in situations, and how to make better choices and decisions in many areas of their lives.
For advice on how to help support a young person to seek help, click here.
Parent and Family counselling and therapy
Modern life presents some of the greatest challenges to parents of new, young or grown children. Rapidly changing technology, social and work circumstances, and family relationships makes being a parent one of life's most difficult and dynamic roles. All good parents draw on the supports they have available. In particular, during periods of rapid change or crisis, expert guidance and support from a caring and sympathetic professional can make the difference between successfully rising above a family challenge or being overwhelmed by it. |
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Additionally, parents of children, adolescents or young adults who have emotional, behavioural or social difficulties frequently wish to ensure they are providing the most appropriate support to their child. There are many reasons why parent or family counselling may be beneficial to an individual in difficulty as well as other family members. Such counselling clarifies perspectives and assists in developing goals which can transform chaos or stress into more harmonious, positive, productive or emotionally enriching relationships.
Coaching
| People frequently look for ways to be more successful in various aspects of their lives. Through individualised guidance that teaches better ways to achieve goals and be more effective in different areas of life, Coaching is a special type of counselling. It does not focus on addressing problems, but on making oneself more effective, successful, or simply more satisfied. Our consultants can provide individual or team-based coaching that helps to clarify and prioritise goals, identify strengths and opportunities, and map out the steps necessary to achieve desired outcomes. | Success in life involves creating the circumstances that put you in the right place at the right time, with the right preparation - then acting boldly and with vision. - Simon Crisp  |
Importantly, our consultants are skilled at identifying and overcoming obstacles and building-in motivational strategies to ensure people follow through with action. As highly trained experts in the applied science of behavioural change, we use legitimate, scientifically based approaches that are realistic and practical. We have experience in organisational management, social psychology of the work place, family needs, and the evidence-based foundations for happiness and life satisfaction. Coaching is provided face-to-face, by phone or by email appointments.
For more information please email: counselling@neopsychology.com.au, or call (03) 9810 3067. To request an appointment please click here.