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My name is Johnny (he/they), and I am a qualified practitioner in both Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). In CAT, I focus with clients on us understanding how they think, feel, and act, making sense together of the significant events and relationships that have shaped their experiences. This approach helps clients draw meaningful connections between their past relationships, including systemic interactions, and their current sense of self. As an EMDR practitioner, I integrate this modality using Attachment-Focused EMDR principles, creating a unique therapeutic approach that blends the introspective and relational focus of CAT with the powerful processing capabilities of EMDR. These therapies, in concert, form my primary modalities, offering a comprehensive framework to address and heal from a range of psychological and emotional challenges.
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I also have training in:
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Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT)​
Open Dialogue ​
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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Feel free to click on the hyperlinks for any of the therapeutic styles mentioned above to find out more.
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I provide a distinct approach beyond the confines of standardised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), skillfully tailoring therapies to align with the individual needs of each client. I firmly believe in the uniqueness of each therapeutic relationship, ensuring that every interaction with my clients is distinct and personalised. My practice is deeply rooted in a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-friendly, and gender-affirming ethos. I am committed to an anti-oppressive and sex-positive approach, valuing the diverse experiences and identities of all my clients.
​I have been grateful and privileged to learn so much from my clients over the years; I am now very experienced in working with survivors of trauma, grief and loss, alcohol and substance problems, various forms of self-harm and relationship difficulties.
An Accredited Clinical and Mental Health Social Worker, I have worked in public and private psychiatric hospital settings for over 20 years. This experience means I have also developed astute assessment skills and knowledge in identifying and treating a broad range of mental health issues, including Complex PTSD, Gender Dysphoria, depression, anxiety, personality, psychotic and bipolar spectrum and eating disorders. I have worked in private practice since 2012, initially part time and now full time.
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Having grown up in Scotland, migrating to Australia in 2008 and being a member of LGBTQIA+ community, I am attuned from personal experience to how it can feel to be considered ‘different’. I understand how hard it can be to talk about traumatic experiences and I strive to bring warmth, partnership, acceptance and compassion to all my work. Additionally, I am joined most days at work by PJ (she/her), my collegial therapy dog, born in 2021. PJ provides emotional support and acts as a role model for our community, enhancing the supportive environment we strive to create.
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Please email to make an appointment with connect@opendialogue.com.au
'I cannot speak more highly of Johnny or his approaches to therapy. Johnny is one hundred percent genuine, personable and professional. He goes above and beyond to be available for his clients and I look forward to sharing in our sessions each week. I have particularly found benefit in our recent EMDR sessions which focus on reframing current beliefs about myself due to trauma. I feel that Johnny sincerely cares and wants the absolute best for his clients. I have seen a number of therapists in the past and am so grateful to have found Johnny.'
EXPERIENCE
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Clinical coordinator at headspace National Office: part of leadership team creating headspace, Australia’s first online youth mental health services
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Senior Clinician at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Young Adult Unit, Uspace, facilitating group psychotherapy helping participants develop knowledge and skills to guide their recovery journey.
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Writer for UTS Masters in Mental Health Nursing
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Clinical supervision, group, systems and policy consultations to various organisations, including:
National Institute of Dramatic Art
Twenty10 inc. GLCS NSW
Girls Rock! Australia
Black Dog Institute
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Expert panel member and advisory capacity on various podcasts and media productions in New South Wales, Victoria and Nationally.
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Community Psychiatric Acute and Crisis Teams since
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Acute inpatient hospital settings since
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Refugee Centre, Antwerp Belgium
areas of interest
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I am interested in working LGBTQIA+ people, young people, survivors of trauma, people experiencing relationship difficulties, people wanting to learn more about who they are, people who use addictive behaviours as a way of managing, including drugs, alcohol, self-harm, eating disordered behaviours and thoughts of suicide. I also have a keen interest in and vast experience of working with neurodivergence.
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qualifications
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Accredited EMDR Practitioner (EMDRAA)
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Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner (ICATA): 2 year post-graduate psychotherapy training
Diploma in Social Work
BAppSC (Hons, Social Studies)
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Accredited Clinical Social Worker (AASW)
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Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
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availability
Monday 12pm-5pm
Tuesday 8am-1pm
Wednesday 8am-5pm
Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 8am-5pm
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Email to make an appointment with connect@opendialogue.com.au
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Media
Johnny being interviewed by SBS about headspace’s Father and Son campaign
Johnny being interviewed by ABC television on suicide intervention with young people in Australia
Johnny speaking about working with gender diversity as a panel member on Black Dog Institutes Expert Insights
Johnny speaking about self-harm with young people as a panel member on Black Dog Institutes Expert Insights
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