Elizabeth White

I am a Clinical Psychologist, having trained in psychology as a mature age student at Monash University & University of Melbourne. Previously working in pharmacy, research and teaching, I am now enjoying my on-going professional training in experiential and relational psychotherapies, including Intensive Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy (ISTDP) and ANZAP’s Conversational Model. I also draw from my training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). My focus is always on what appears to best suit the client.

My psychology experience includes working with adults in public and private hospitals, and with older people in residential aged care and community-based public mental health. I also provide input to a telephone peer support service for health professionals. I have a particular interest in working with people with chronic depression and/or physical symptoms that are related to mental or emotional stress, as well as people adjusting to the many challenging stages of our lifespan (e.g., mid-life, retirement).

Regular therapy sessions can be a brief or a longer-term investment, depending on the person’s level of curiosity or needs. The therapeutic focus is on helping us listen to what our anxieties, emotions and interactions with other people tell us about what is important to us. What we may believe are annoyances or weaknesses may be rich information and growth experiences. Working with a therapist is about using the therapeutic relationship to help us feel someone else is there as we, bravely and patiently, make room for uncomfortable experiences and process whatever we come to therapy to process: suffering, sense of self, relationship to others, or general growth across the lifespan.