At Gael Harris Clinical Psychology we provide quality psychological services that are evidence-based and underpinned by an open, collaborative and compassionate approach to therapy.
I approach therapy with compassion, warmth and honestly. My work and life experiences have taught me to ‘honour the struggle’ because it's often the beginning of real change. Before becoming a clinical psychologist I worked as a teacher, group facilitator, community education officer and had my own fair share of life transitions. I’ve now been doing this job for over twelve years and enjoy seeing what can be achieved when we get the match between person, problem and intervention right. But my greatest satisfaction probably comes from helping clients to better understand themselves in the context of their life experiences. Choice of therapy draws from my training in a range of modalities, allowing interventions to be tailored to the needs of each client.
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom." - Aristotle
Working with young people in both the private practice and school setting has given me a unique understanding of the challenges faced in adolescence. I enjoy getting to know my teenage clients, learning how they think and see the world, listening to their experiences, perspectives and gaining an understanding of personality. This partnership creates a safe environment for discussing and addressing challenges, imparting knowledge, developing skills, and nurturing healthy and adaptive coping. My approach is strengths-based and preventative in nature.
My time in schools involved collaboration between the young person, family and the school environment. This has informed my approach to therapy guided by an understanding of how intervention can be most effective when supported by a young person’s broader life context.
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We provide therapy that is specific to your needs
Education and support to help manage excessive or prolonged anxiety and problems associated with mood instability. This may be related to diagnoses of, anxiety, depression, stress, burnout or neurodiversity. Together we’ll work to reduce symptoms and improve wellbeing.
Help to understand your emotions and their role in optimal functioning. Improve distress tolerance and harness emotions for empowered decision-making.
Assistance with the psychological effects of long-term health conditions such as, chronic fatigue syndrome, pain management and long Covid. We also provide support for conditions specific to women’s health.
Support is available for managing various life changes such as, entering adulthood, pregnancy and parenting, raising adolescents, adjusting to an empty nest and ageing. This extends to coping with grief and loss, including the death of a loved one, end of a relationship or loss of an important job or role. Since context and circumstance can complicate these adjustments individual support is provided.
We provide education and skills to understand feelings of low self-worth and support to improve confidence, assertive action and strategic decision-making. Guidance as to what constitutes a healthy relationship (intimate, family and parent-child) and individual support to navigate your circumstances.
Support to understand and manage the impacts of a learning disorder or diagnoses of neurodiversity. This may include, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder (Dyslexia) or other neurodevelopmental conditions. Gain insight into what the diagnosis means for you and build a picture of how differences in brain functioning are expressed.
Services for people aged 18 and upward to improve psychological functioning and promote wellbeing. We provide a safe space to work through problems and learn effective ways of coping to refocus your energy on the other important aspects of life.
Experienced treating clients struggling with:
Helping young people (13-18) survive and thrive during the teenage years. We provide support to, understand and manage emotions, help with relationships (peers, family & school), manage academic and exam stress and space to get to know themselves better and explore matters related to school, career, beliefs, confidence, their bodies etc.
Signs that an adolescent is struggling:
Over the 20+ years of my career, I have undertaken a broad range of job roles, including, teacher, community educator, group facilitator, undergraduate and post-graduate student and as a clinical psychologist working between the education and private practice sectors. As a school psychologist, I achieved a senior role and provided education and mentorship to junior colleagues.
This experience extends to both a robust knowledge of the fundamentals of psychology, training in a broad range of therapeutic modalities, an acute understanding of the ethics and professional responsibilities of a health practitioner, experienced in applying this at a range of levels within an organizational structure including, individual, group and whole business. Also, applying this knowledge to psychotherapy assessment, formulation, intervention alongside advocacy and consultancy.
I am able to provide supervision to:
Confidential telehealth sessions are available. This facility not only enables session flexibility but also facilitates the provision of services to rural and remote clients.
