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ABOUT
I am dr deb bennett,
a clinical and forensic psychologist in South Yarra, Melbourne. With a rich history of working with the police as a detective and an FBI-affiliated criminal profiler, I provide psychological therapy for PTSD, depression, debilitating anxieties and phobias as well as more standard problems.
Whether you’re seeking to manage the symptoms of a health issue, build resilience in the face of personal or professional adversity, or simply gain greater insight into your own emotional well-being, I look forward to speaking with you and assisting you with your mental health and wellbeing goals.
I think that it is important that people find the psychologist who is right for them. My clients tell me that I challenge them, help them to deal with things—and that I make them laugh. Everyone has a story, and I would feel privileged to listen to yours.
Please contact me to organise a consultation today.
A clinical psychologist with a unique perspective
Being a trauma psychologist and a detective may seem worlds apart, but they are deeply connected. As a detective, I honed analytical and investigative skills, identifying behavioral patterns and complex information - insights that now shape my understanding of trauma, especially in crime-related cases. I recognize the challenges victims and families face within the legal system.
Trauma is a universal part of the human experience, affecting people from all backgrounds. Whether from major life events like loss or more subtle stressors like chronic work pressure, its impact can be lasting. However, by acknowledging and addressing these challenges, we can better understand our emotions, develop coping strategies, and build a more fulfilling life.
As Nancy McWilliams once wrote:
"All of us are irrational to some degree, the question is how nuts and what kind of nuts?"
Why seek help from a psychologist?
Do you ever find yourself doing the exact opposite of what you know to be good and right for you? Have you tried to respond differently to certain situations but no matter how hard you have tried you just cannot seem to do it?
The process of re-evaluating our mental map of reality is painful, and can be excruciatingly so, but the process ultimately leads to freedom.
The question is not “What’s wrong with you?” Rather, the question is, “What has happened to you?”
THERAPY SERVICES
havening
What is havening & why does it work?
A mainstay of my work as a clinical psychologist in Melbourne is Havening Techniques ®, and it is a game changer. As a rule, Havening can be used everywhere where conventional psychotherapies are used. The spectrum of application can be divided into reduction of uncomfortable or undesirable emotions and the strengthening of resources.
Havening changes brain frequencies through touch, increasing Delta Waves that release feel-good chemicals.
It offers rapid and sustainable results with minimal discussion about the trauma.
What problems can havening be used for?
Havening is effective for treating phobias, rashes, chronic pain, separation, mourning, depression, chronic stress, PTSD/cPTSD, rage issues, low self-esteem, addictive disorders, Panic Disorder/Generalised Anxiety Disorder, social anxiety, eating disorders, and more. It also helps with strengthening personal resources such as courage, self-confidence, creativity, learning, memory, concentration, and recall skills. Havening is beneficial for clients reluctant to discuss their traumas in detail, offering quick and lasting results by neurologically delinking traumatic memories from activated emotions.
THERAPY SERVICES
internal family systems (ifs)
What is IFS & why does it work?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapy that views the mind as made up of different parts, each with its own emotions and memories. It helps clients connect with their core Self—a compassionate and confident inner state—to heal and harmonize these parts. IFS involves identifying and understanding these parts, building trust with them, and helping them release their burdens through guided self-inquiry. It can be combined with other treatments, such as Havening, for enhanced results.
What problems can IFS be used for?
IFS is effective for treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, self-esteem issues, and relationship challenges. It helps manage internal conflicts, reduce self-criticism, and build self-compassion and emotional resilience.
Eye Movement Desensitisation
& Reprocessing (emdr)
THERAPY SERVICES
What is emdr & why does it work?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for treating trauma and related mental health issues. It involves recalling distressing memories while performing bilateral eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, guided by a trained therapist. This process helps reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and enabling healthier responses.
What problems can EMDR be used for?
EMDR is effective for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and issues stemming from a difficult childhood or toxic relationships. It is widely recognized for its ability to rapidly reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR aims for lasting results by reprocessing and resolving traumatic memories at their core. Many clients experience permanent relief from symptoms, with ongoing benefits that can be maintained through occasional follow-up sessions if needed.
fees & rebates
Clients receive a higher level of rebate for the services of a clinical psychologist than non-clinical psychologists or counsellors.
My fees are $250 per 50-minute session, for both face-to-face sessions and Telehealth. Where the client is referred by a medical practitioner as part of a GP Mental Health Plan, a Medicare rebate of $141.85 is applied. Therefore, the client is about $108 out of pocket per session.
PRIVATE HEALTH COVER
Private Health Cover rebate eligibility is dependent on your level of cover. Please contact your health cover provider for details.
Telehealth Services
Clients are issued with a unique link to a secure network in Zanda - you never need another link; every time you have a Telehealth session you will use your personal link. There are no programs or Apps to download - you only need the internet.
Referral course of treatment
The maximum number of sessions you can include on a referral for the initial course of treatment is 6 sessions (MBS item no. 80010). Once those sessions have been used, your treating doctor can refer you for a further 4 sessions thus 10 sessions in total for a calendar year.
Further information can be found at Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care or MBS Online.
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location
4A/4-6 Dobson Street, South Yarra ,VIC 3141
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