Donna has over 15 years of clinical experience in the treatment of alcohol and other substance abuse and misuse disorders, comorbidity, trauma, sex offenders, FIFO and general psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating and personality disorders, suicidality and self-harming behaviors.
Other areas of interest include; Workplace Mental Health, Screen and Porn Addiction, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, attachment and the treatment of emotional distress resulting from grief and separation.
She is also a highly sort after group facilitator and creative thinker, having managed both leadership and clinical teams. Donna has held positions within both The Department of Education and The Clontarf Aboriginal College as a lecturer in Mental Health.
Donna’s therapeutic approach is to provide a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere in which people can feel safe to explore the nature and meaning of their present difficulties, and so find effective ways to resolve them.
Donna utilises clinically proven and evidence-based therapies. Different treatment approaches are used to best suit the client and their goals. The type of treatment provided can range from brief, focused treatment for acute symptoms or problems, to more long-term therapy for entrenched personality, relationship or coping issues. Therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Skills and Schema Therapy.
I am a highly skilled clinical practitioner with over 15years of clinical experience in the treatment of alcohol and other substance abuse and misuse disorders, comorbidity, trauma, domestic violence(perpetrators and victims), sex offenders, FIFO and general psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, suicidality, and self-harming behaviours. Other areas of professional experience include; workplace mental health, screen and porn addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment and the treatment of emotional distress resulting from grief and separation. Combining a unique combination of insights and experience in working with patients who present for treatment seeking help for a wide and varied range of issues and the psychosocial impact this has on their and their family’s mental health and well-being. This includes a high percentage of this cohort who present with comorbidity issues, including addiction (substances, alcohol, gambling, sex and pornography), anger, depression, anxiety and relationship problems. I was the Clinical Coordinator for the Saranna Women and Children’s Program for ten years. I was directly responsible for program design, development, Implementation and overseeing clinical care of children 0 -12. Much of this client group was involved with the Department of Child Protection. In this role, I worked with families to determine their needs and assist in reunification programs. Group facilitator and creative thinker, having managed both leadership and clinical teams. I held positions within both the Department of Education and the Clontarf Aboriginal College as a lecturer in Mental Health and AOD. I was an active member of the reference committee advising the Department of Child Protection Child protection frameworks, policies and standards. Through all of my roles to date, I have developed and honed my clinical and counselling skills with children and adults. I gained significant experience in applying a broad range of best practice methodologies and tools, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural Therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy. I am also experienced in psychometric assessments, mediation and injury management.
Skills Profile: Assessment:
The ability to undertake protocol-based psychological assessments of clients applying psychological, including psychological tests, risk assessment tools, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care. The ability to assist in the coordination and running of therapeutic groups as required. Coping with the emotional demands of working with individuals with complex needs, including challenging behaviours and forensic needs. Work autonomously on case notes, formulas and reports.
Professional Qualifications:
Professional Membership:
Professional Experience:
Founder/Owner/Director Group Private Practices
Clinical Co-ordinator Saranna Women and Children’s Program. Cyrenian House Residential; Drug and Alcohol Program 2003 – 2012
Clinical Psychology Registrar Program 2021- Current Dr Phil Watts Supervisor
Department of Education: Lecturer AOD and Mental Health 2008 – 2010
Academic Publications
Some of My Children Are Worth More Than Others: Perceptions of Nonresidential Fathers with Second Families as to the Fairness of the Australian Child Support Agency's Handling of First Family Child Support Financial Arrangements. Journal of Family and Marriage, 2012.
Some of My Children Are Worth More Than Others: Perceptions of Non-residential Fathers with Second Families as to the Fairness of the Australian Child Support Agency's Handling of First Family Child Support Financial Arrangements. Journal of Family and Marriage, 2012
