Bondi Psychotherapy

Welcome to Bondi Psychotherapy

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Everything you want is out there waiting for you. But you have to take action to get it and even one step forward is the first step on your journey towards recovery.
Why not take that first step, there is no time like NOW.

As a practicing psychologist and hypnotherapist I hope to create the highest quality of care in a supportive and nurturing environment. I work psychodynamically and my therapy tends to be more eclectic than others, taking techniques from a variety of evidence- based sources, rather than relying on a single system of intervention.

The main focus of my practice is anxiety and stress management and teaching people skills to cope with their anxiety and stress. However, I do work just as easily and effectively with depression, since there is a very close relationship between anxiety and depression in adults. My passion is to empower my clients to reach their goals and attain emotional wellbeing. I help them to discover who they are, what they want, and what they are capable of so that they can gain insight and develop new understandings. These are long - term life skills that can be transferred into all areas of a person’s life.

I use a number of successful tools and techniques in my practice. This includes helping you to relax both your mind and your body through the use of mindfulness, hypnosis and creative visualisation. I believe that a totally relaxed body allows the mind to reach into a deeper level of consciousness. In so doing, your mental and physical “power supply” is tapped into- and therein lies your real strength.

Why are you still hesitating? Take that first step and to find out more. Mention this profile page and I will give you a free personalised relaxation CD so that you can enjoy the benefits of relaxation and enhance your overall health and well being. I am confident that with regular use of this CD as well as other techniques you will learn, your tension levels will decrease and you will notice positive changes in all areas of your life

Services

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Services covered by Medicare and health fund rebates

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click on any of the below to read more....

Individual counselling ■ Couples counselling ■ Group counselling ■ Sandplay Therapy ■ Hypnosis ■ Mindfulness ■ Paediatric Hypnotherapy

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Individual counselling

You may chose to come for individual counselling to talk about the various aspects of your life and the difficlities you may have in solving some of your problems. By choosing this form of therapy, you will experience a safe place to share your deepest thoughts, feelings and memories without any judgement. As our therapeutic relationship develops, I can provide the framework for you to weave past stories, secrets, and even traumas, with current emotions, patterns of behavior and stressors so as to allow you to integrate your past with the present; and in so doing, face the future with positive anticipation.

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Couples counselling

Relationships are important, and a good relationship is one that supports us throughout our life. Sadly, very few of us are taught how to sustain a good relationship with a spouse or a partner and as a reslit, many relationships encounter difficlities and tests that may litimately cause a break down or break up of the relationship. With counselling, you can gain a renewed sense of optimism, resilience and better skills so that your relationship grows and adapts to life's challenges. Your relationship doesn't have to be one of conflict, loss of respect and loss of desire it can become one of strength, understanding respect and greater resilience. You can discover deeper intimacy and feel better as an individual.

I work with couples in any kind of relationship, hetero-sexual, gay or lesbian; married or co-habiting; pre-living together; separating or divorcing; with or without children to consider.

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Group counselling

You may find that there are times in your life where you want to experience personal change and understanding in a group setting. In this way, you have an opportunity to share and learn from others, to improve some specific skills and at the same time, receive group feedback and support.

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Sandplay Therapy

Sandplay therapy is a process that involves creating scenes in a tray of sand, using realistic miniatures chosen from the therapist’s collection. These miniatures cover all areas of life for example: people, animals, plants, fairytales, transport, insects, food etc. The use of sand and miniatures gives us a symbolic way of expressing our feelings and viewing our lives. Sandplay therapy is an effective psychotherapeutic tool that can be used with children, adolescents and adlits.

Sandplay is a non-threatening, fun and safe space in which you are able to explore feelings and life situations that may feel threatening or overwhelming. Basically, playing with the sand, making a landscape and adding symbols, allows the psyche to find its own expression, free of the ego’s influence. Using the sandtray, you are able to externalize that which may be hidden or unconscious - it allows for the concrete manifestations of your inner world.

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Hypnosis

Have you ever been totally absorbed while reading a book, sitting at the traffic light or watching a movie? Did you zone out to the point you didn't notice what else was going on around you? If so, you've experienced a trance-like state that's similar to what happens to you during hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that allows you to use your subconscious mind to learn new behaviors and achieve goals, rapidly and effectively.

Hypnosis is usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist and is different from your everyday awareness. It is not about mind control, so your cooperation is necessary. While everyone can be hypnotized, because hypnosis is a normal subconscious state, you can resist if you wish. However, if you have a genuine desire to change a behavior or habit, overcome a fear, or learn a new skill, then resisting hypnosis ruins your capacity to follow the suggestions and so motivate your mind for change.

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MINDFULNESS FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN.

Have you ever arrived at work, only to realize that you do not remember any scenery or landmarks during your drive? At the end of your shower, have you ever realized that you are not sure whether you washed? Adults are not the only ones having this experience.

Children can also move through their days on automatic pilot. However, children also live in a world of being told what to do: what time to wake up, what time to go to school, how to do each activity while at school, and so on. Their lack of agency may lead to going through the motions of their daily tasks without conscious awareness of what they are doing. I can teach both adults and children to begin to pay attention to those things in the present moment that they never noticed before through a process called mindfulness.

Mindfulness refers to being completely in touch with and aware of the present moment, as well as taking a non-evaluative and non-judgmental approach to your inner experience. For example, a mindful approach to one’s inner experience is simply viewing “thoughts as thoughts” as opposed to evaluating certain thoughts as positive or negative.

We learn to tune in to what is going on in our mind and body today. Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations may not sound like an obviously helpful thing to do, however learning to do this in a way that suspends judgement and self - criticism can have surprising results.
Research on adult mindfulness indicates that regular practice promotes health and wellness.

Among the other benefits of mindfulness meditation include:

• reduction in stress
• improved immune system to fight disease
• increased ability to manage chronic pain
• increased ability to manage negative emotions like anger and fear
• increased coping with painful life events as in divorce, major illness or loss of a loved one
• reduction of addictive behaviors
• improved interpersonal relationships
• increased positive emotions
• decreased anxiety and depression
• enhanced performance, be it at work, sports or academics
• improved attention or concentration

In research on teaching Mindfulness to adolescents, the teens reported reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and somatic (physical) distress, and increased self-esteem and sleep quality. Independent clinicians documented a higher percentage of diagnostic improvement in the Mindfulness group (vs. the control group). In layperson’s terms, this means that adolescents who were initially diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety were no longer depressed or anxious.

“Mindfulness is a great class because you can chill out, and relax. It will cool you down and make you less stressed. You should try it if you are mad or sad or just want to feel better. That’s what I do.”
Jessie, 10

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PAEDIATRIC HYPNOTHERAPY

Paediatric hypnotherapy for children is one of the most effective therapies, transforming children’s lives through, visualisation, hypnosis, mindfulness and other imaginative methods.

Hypnosis works well with children because there are less years of reinforcing imprints on a child’s mind. Children are more susceptible to hypnosis. They have the drive to discover and they hunger for new experiences. They are open to new learning, willing to receive and respond to new ideas as long as they are presented in an understandable way.
Children are easily relaxed and focused. They have an ability to change and to be flexible, and, before the age of twelve, to accept most ideas uncritically. Also they do not have the misconceptions about hypnosis that so many adults have.
One of the reasons that hypnotherapy can be such a good choice in treating children is that children make good use of their imaginations. Children (and adults) go into 'trance' naturally many times a day making hypnosis a familiar and comfortable method of helping children to access their own resources. Combined with expertly delivered hypnotherapy, it is safe, gentle, effective and reassuring. It does not require any painful 're-living' of difficulties. It never dwells on what has 'gone wrong' in the past but focuses on how we can develop resilience and optimism. Research shows that the 'optimistic child' will be more successful in every area of life, now and in the future.

You care passionately about your child's well-being so choosing me to help is an ideal first step.

You will want to entrust your child only to an experienced paediatric hypnotherapist with significant up-to-date knowledge and understanding of child psychology and development. When this is combined with successful practical experience of working with children and proven ability to quickly build great rapport and a sense of trust, therapy results are truly amazing.


About Janine

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I believe that each one of us is a unique individual with unlimited potential, inner strength and resilience.

Through the realization of our own potential, it is possible for each of us to transform what we perceive as the negative aspects in our life to more positive, fulfilling and happy experiences. By increasing our inner strength and sense of well being, it is possible for us to enjoy emotional wellness and lead a fulfilling life.

I offer you a safe, supportive environment in which you can communicate, gain insight, and develop new skills. I listen to what you say, what you feel and what you need in order to help you to clarify your inner conflicts, confront the barriers to your success and well-being, and reach your goals.

Qualifications

• BA. H.Dip Education
  
• Graduate Diploma Counselling and Psychotherapy
  
• Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Past Life Therapy
  
• Masters in Health Sciences (Behavioural Science)
  
• Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis
  
• Certificate in Sandplay therapy