Umbrella Psychology

Get to know Umbrella Psychology

From Umbrella Psychology's website.

• Our approach

  Umbrella Psychology integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other modalities such as Neuropsychotherapy, Mindfulness, Family Therapy, Play Therapy, and Art Therapy. All work is delivered within a developmental framework, with psychologists adjusting their practice to match each young person's age and stage of development. Sessions are tailored to the individual and may involve talking, exercises, play, games, drawing or art, depending on the child's age and preferences. The practice creates a relaxed, child-friendly environment designed with young people in mind, and psychologists work collaboratively to help children develop the skills to manage their emotions and engage fully in their lives.

• Working with families

  Although sessions with children and young people are confidential, the practice endeavours to involve parents and caregivers as much as possible with the young person's consent. For younger children, parents are usually included in the first session unless the child prefers otherwise, and following sessions may involve a combination of time with parents and alone. Adolescents can decide for themselves whether they want parents involved in the first session; when they choose not to include parents in their sessions, the practice still provides general feedback to parents about the therapy process and their child's progress while respecting the teenager's right to confidentiality. The practice discusses these options with families upon arrival to help make decisions that work best for each family.

• Meet the team

  Umbrella Psychology's team includes Clinical Psychologists Sally Bowden, Dean Kaptsis, Liesl Christie, Imogen Ramsay and Molly Wright, along with Registered Psychologists Emma Thompson and Emily Munro, and Clinical Psychology Registrars Chloe Kheng and Claire Pascoe. Team members hold qualifications from universities including Flinders University, University of Adelaide, and University of South Australia, and many are members of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society. The team brings extensive combined experience across public sector mental health services, schools, youth justice, private practice, and specialist areas including trauma, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, and LGBTQI+ issues. Psychologists have the flexibility to work part-time and the practice can offer options for a male or female psychologist where preferred.

• Your first visit

  The first appointment is an opportunity for the psychologist and your child to get to know one another in a comfortable, relaxed way. Your psychologist will focus on understanding your child and helping them feel at ease, and will ask about the reason for your visit as well as other important areas like family, school, interests, health, friendships and relationships. This broader understanding helps the psychologist see how your child's concern fits into their whole life and how best to support them. By the end of the session, your psychologist will share their initial thoughts about what might help and outline suggestions for working together on any difficulties.