John McQuillen

John works with clients from 13 yrs to adults, couples & families. His particular interests are in the treatment of trauma, adjustment difficulties, anxiety disorders and more…

Approach

I take a very pragmatic approach to helping people improve their lives. I have broad life experience and have not always been a psychologist and so seek to practice psychology in a way that is relevant and in the context of client’s day to day lives and the realities they live with.

I see what I do as assisting people to manage or enhance their performance in life rather than simply the treatment of ‘disorders’. Through the therapy process I hope to assist clients to feel empowered and confident to manage their lives and whatever difficulties come their way. Whilst I will always be there to support any of my clients at any time it is my hope that through our work together they will develop sufficient skills and strategies that they will feel capable of managing any difficulties into the future and no longer need to return to frequent therapy.

I am eclectic in my approach and will often mix and blend different scientifically validated therapies to provide a highly specific and customised therapy process designed to work well with their individuality. Although I use valid and reliable psychometric tests as process measures to track a client’s progress, ultimately my real measure is that their life improves in ways that are meaningful and adaptive for them and brings about the life they wish to lead.

I am skilled in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a broad range of difficulties. I also work with non-clinical presentations, forensic matters, and provide supervision to other psychologists. Additionally, I provide couples and family therapy.

I also have specific experience and competency in working with veterans, first responders, refugees, and minority groups. In addition to being registered with Medicare, I am a workcover provider, WISE program provider, NDIS provider and can provide treatment for those eligible for DVA and Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling.

CLIENT I SEE: Adolescents (13yrs +), Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults, Couples, Families

Specific Areas of Work:

• Trauma

• Adjustment Difficulties

• Stress, burnout, and resiliency difficulties

• Grief and Loss

• Anxiety disorders

• Mood Disorders

• Obsessive Compulsive disorders

• Psychosis and Delusional disorders

• Substance Use problems or other addictive behaviours

• Anger Management

• Performance related difficulties

• Disability support

• Sleep problems

• Individual, couples, and group based relationship problems

• Gender identity difficulties

• Sexual performance problems

• Chronic pain and disease

• Psychosomatic and health related difficulties

• Domestic Violence

• Bullying and Harassment problems

• Victims of Crime

• Perfectionism and procrastination

• Support for family members of persons with mental health difficulties

• Geriatric mental health difficulties

• Problems with self-esteem and confidence

• Complex presentations

• Forensic matters and criminal offending behaviours

• Medico-Legal and Forensic Assessments

• Workcover

• Supervision of intern Psychologists for General registration, Clinical Registrars, and other psychologists with general registration.

Approaches I use:

• CBT

• ACT

• DBT

• Schema Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Cognitive processing Therapy

• Narrative Therapy

• Exposure therapies

• Gottman Method

• Systems Therapy

• A range of counselling methods including critical incident debriefing and grief work

• Skills Training

• Psycho-education

• Performance management and enhancement

• Strengths-based approach