Jane Stewart
Psychologist
Masters of Counselling Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Women’s Studies)
Pronouns: She/her
Three beliefs that colour the way I work with my clients:
I believe…
In the importance of the client feeling safe and ready enough to engage in the therapeutic process, but also feeling encouraged and supported to explore areas that might feel challenging and a bit frightening.
I believe…
In the potential for people to incorporate the impact of difficult experiences into an enhanced sense of identity, purpose, connections and meaning in their life.
I believe…
That our body symptoms and emotional responses can provide insights into our core needs, particularly when our thoughts feel confusing and overwhelming.
Get to know me
My secret talent:
I have a ‘green thumb’ and enjoy all things plant and nature related.
What’s it like to be in a room with me?
I focus on developing a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space which provides the opportunity for exploring uncertainty and emotional expression. I am compassionate, respectful, authentic and use humour (when appropriate) to build and strengthen the therapeutic relationship.
What’s my non-negotiable when it comes to taking care of my own mental health?
Taking time for silence and stillness, to allow space to recover and reconnect with myself and to notice what I need. Also regularly spending time moving my body and being outside.
My life motto:
It’s ok to live a life that others don’t understand – give yourself permission to be yourself.
My background and experience
I am a registered psychologist with 23 years experience providing counselling to young people and adults. I previously worked within the community sector providing counselling to individuals with a broad range of presenting issues, mental health symptoms, and diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
I have experience supporting LGBTQIA+ clients, and I also provide neuroaffirming care.
I can help you with:
- ADHD
- Adjusting to a new country and culture
- Adjustment to stressful life changes
- Anger management
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Binge eating disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Body image and appearance related concerns
- Bulimia
- Carer support
- Childhood trauma
- Chronic illness and pain
- Communication skills
- Complex trauma
- Depression
- Distress intolerance
- Drug and alcohol issues and other addictive behaviours
- Eating disorders
- Emotional difficulties
- Family issues
- Family violence
- Fertility
- Gender and sexuality
- Generalised anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Health anxiety
- Identity issues
- Impulse control
- Internet and game addiction
- Learning difficulties
- Living with cancer
- Medically unexplained /psychosomatic illness
- Obsessions and compulsions
- People from immigrant, asylum seeking and refugee backgrounds
- Perfectionism
- Personality disorders
- Panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Phobias
- Porn addiction
- Pre and postnatal mental health
- Relationship difficulties
- Self harm and suicidal ideation
- Self-esteem, confidence, self-acceptance
- Sexuality
- Sexual assault and sexual abuse
- Sleep problems
- Social anxiety
- Stress and burnout
- Support for abusive relationships
- Terminal illness and end of life issues
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Women’s health issues
My therapeutic approaches
Depending on my client’s needs and preferences I use a variety of evidence-based approaches including:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attachment Theory
- Client-centred therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Compassion-based approaches
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy principles
- EMDR – I am an Associate Member of EMDRAA
- Emotion-Focused Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Psychodynamic approaches
- Schema therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Strengths-based approaches
- Trauma-informed practice
