As an endorsed Clinical Psychologist, Sarah has the necessary training, skills and experience to conduct a thorough assessment of mental, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
In some instances, this may lead to use of psychometric assessment tools and/or formal evaluation to answer a specific referral question (e.g. assessment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
Possible outcomes of this assessment process may include formal diagnosis and recommendation for psychological intervention, onwards referral for specialist assessments (such as Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule etc.), recommendation for Paediatric or Psychiatric evaluation, recommendation for other allied health intervention such as speech therapy, occupational therapy or dietetics, or referral for management of acute mental health difficulties (e.g. referral to the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service or local Emergency Department).
Sarah has training and experience in delivering a range of evidence-based psychological interventions to treat a wide variety of disorders commonly occurring in childhood. These psychological interventions include cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training.
Sarah practices from a deeply humanistic therapeutic orientation, and uses elements of narrative therapy, motivational interviewing and purposeful play-based therapy to engage children and adolescents in treatment.
Sarah prioritises a family-based approach to working with children and adolescents and their care-givers. While respectful of the right to confidentiality, Sarah seeks to include parents and guardians in the care of children and adolescents to ensure that a collaborative approach to treatment is maintained and families are encouraged to work towards a shared treatment goal outside of sessions.
Where issues relating to risk of harm to self or others is identified, Sarah will complete a thorough risk assessment with families and discuss an appropriate safety plan. This practice is not a crisis service and as such, a referral may be made for acute care if risk of harm to self or others is deemed to require more assertive follow up.
Children or adolescents who are seeking treatment for a feeding or eating disorders are asked to review regularly with their General Practitioner (GP) for ongoing medical evaluation and assessment of physical health stability while engaged in treatment with Sarah. With the consent of the parent/guardian, Sarah will liaise with the GP and/or treating Paediatrician regarding physical health stability, to ensure clients are able to be managed safely within the community. A family-based approach to treatment is adopted by Sarah for treatment of all young people who are affected by a feeding or eating disorder.