Renaty Layton

Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Criminology Majors), Graduate Diploma in Adolescent and Child Psychology, Master of  Psychology (Counselling) and Master of Education (Special Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention)

Pronouns: She/her

Renaty Layton psychologist

Three beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:

I believe…

Happiness begins with YOU. Finding happiness within ourselves is not always simple, but it is possible.

I believe…

Every experience is valuable and unique to each individual. Whether it is positive or negative, each experience is an opportunity for growth.

I believe…

Courage is the ability to move beyond fear when times are difficult and challenging. It is the determination to continue even when success is not guaranteed.

Get to know me

My secret talent:
I am a passionate conversationalist who loves to engage people and learn about who they are.

What’s it like to be in a room with me?
I see myself as a warm, engaging and nurturing person, with a strong desire to support you over the course of your therapeutic journey. I provide therapy in a nonjudgmental and friendly environment where you feel heard, understood and validated, allowing you to share your experiences in a safe space. I believe that therapy is a stepping stone to discovering yourself and gaining a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings in order to lead a happier, more fulfilling life. My therapeutic approach is client-centred, empathetic, strengths based and solution focused. Therapy begins with you – your needs, concerns, goals, and history are all taken into careful consideration before deciding on the therapeutic approach which best meets your needs. I understand that each person has a unique set of circumstances and I strive for the best possible outcomes through collaboration and care.

What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
Maintaining my own mental health often starts with taking time out for myself and having a
work/life/family balance. Self care is also about setting and maintaining boundaries, and learning to say no. Spending time with my children is vital and the occasional beach holiday also helps.

My life motto:
“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create” – Oprah Winfrey

My background and experience

I am a Counselling Psychologist with over twenty years experience in both the private and community sectors. In my practice I work with adults, children and families dealing with a range of presentations, which include, but are not limited to: anxiety, body image, communication, depression, eating disorders, learning challenges, parenting issues, personal growth, relationship difficulties, self esteem and stress management.  My work has also included developing and facilitating group programs for individuals experiencing mental health issues, social difficulties and developmental challenges; as well as parent and sibling groups for families with children who have a disability. My diverse background and training has equipped me with the flexibility and skills needed to guide my clients through a broad range of concerns; and to empower them to make the changes they want in their lives.

I strongly believe that the therapist-client relationship should be a collaborative one to ensure best clinical practice and achieve optimal outcomes. I want to meet people where they are at in life to help them achieve their goals, feel good about themselves and their relationships. Being a therapist is a privilege and I would be honoured to start this journey with you.

melbourne psychologists

I can help you with:

  • Adjustments to stressful life changes and transitions
  • Anxiety
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Body image issues
  • Carer support
  • Childhood trauma
  • Communication skills
  • Depression
  • Disordered eating
  • Eating disorders – Anorexia, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Binge Eating & Bulimia
  • Emotional difficulties
  • Family issues
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Grief and loss
  • Health anxiety
  • Impulse control
  • Learning difficulties
  • Low self-esteem and confidence
  • Panic Attacks
  • Parenting issues
  • Perfectionism
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Self-development
  • Sensory processing disorder and emotional regulation
  • Sleep problems
  • Social anxiety
  • Social skills development
  • Stress and burnout
  • Study, work or career related issues
  • Support for abusive relationships
  • Trauma and Post-traumatic stress
  • Well-being and self care

My therapeutic approaches

Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Assertiveness Training
  • Client Centred approaches
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Compassion based approach
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Family Systems principles
  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Positive Psychology
  • Psychodynamic principles
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Strengths based approaches
  • Trauma informed practices