Richard’s chief areas of interest in delivering psychological counselling are trauma (including PTSD and complex PTSD), anxiety, stress, panic, grief, depression, adjustment to change, anger, sleep, pain, self-confidence, imposter syndrome, relationship issues, communication challenges, conflict, parenting, caring for individuals with disability, substance dependence and other addictions, ADHD, work-related issues, and leadership.
Richard has previous experience as a psychologist for clients with disability (participants in the NDIS), has worked in somatic psychotherapy and adult education in leadership and self-awareness, and has extensive experience at middle and senior management levels in the Australian Public Service. In Canberra, this inside knowledge can be invaluable.
At the Australian National University, Richard researched the epidemiological associations between chronic anxiety and cognitive ageing and, in a separate study, investigated the parenting practices of First Nations peoples, comparing developmental outcomes with those of non-indigenous populations.
Like many psychologists, Richard draws on a range of evidence-based treatment approaches (see below) and integrates therapeutic methods to meet each client’s unique needs. For example, depression may require cognitive behaviour therapy. This treatment might also be integrated with EMDR for treating causal influences arising from adverse childhood events or trauma. When applying EMDR, another approach called ‘internal family systems’ (IFS) is often useful for understanding how different aspects (parts) of our personality relate to one another as a family of parts. There are countless ways to combine various therapy approaches to great effect.
Richard works with adult individuals, parents, carers, couples, and families. For family therapy, he sees groups of up to four people, including children of any age.
