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Good Therapy Australia

Mr Max Rutherford

Counselling Psychologist, Existential Psychotherapist

Macleod, VIC 3085


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Everyone must come out of his exile, in his own way.
- Martin Buber

Mr Max Rutherford

Mr Max Rutherford

Max Rutherford

In Person + Online Therapy Australia-wide

03 9459 0603

Philosophy & Vision

Everybody needs someone to talk to and in the context of therapy the aim is to be able to talk as freely as possible and then to learn from whatever comes up. We do this in order to gain an understanding of who we are in the context of the worlds in which we live. Ordinarily we are so busy that we barely have time to think, and so the aim of therapy is to create a space to work through what's important to us in life.

What can I, the therapist, bring to the table? In addition to a willingness to listen I hope to bring an objective perspective on what's being discussed and to provide feedback (and occasionally a therapeutic tool) to create space for new ways of thinking and being.

Background

Twenty five years experience working with individuals, couples and families in private practice and as an employee in a range of public and private organizations including The Sacred Heart Hospice (Sydney), Sydney Pain Management, Relationships Australia, International People Services, The University of New South Wales (student counselling service), The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Australia Prostate Centre.

Services

  • Counselling, Psychotherapy, Couples Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Assessment, Coaching / Mentoring, Phone Consultations, Online Video Consultations
  • Therapy may be brief or long term.

    Quality Provision

    As a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists I am bound by that organisations code of conduct. I receive regular clinical supervision in addition to on-going personal and professional development.

    Areas of Special Interest

  • ADD & ADHD - Anxiety & Panic Attacks - Bipolar Mood Disorder - Burnout - Cancer Support - Creativity - Decision Making - Depression - Emotional Overwhelm - Existential Issues - Grief and Loss - Insomnia - Life Threatening Illness - Life Transitions - Mediation - Pain & Rehabilitation - Performance Anxiety - Psychosomatic - Relationship Issues - Self Development - Spirituality / Religion - Stress Management - Workplace Issues
  • Accreditations

    • B Sc (Hons) Psychology (London University) - 1996
    • Post Grad Dip Counselling Psych (City Uni, London) - 2000
    • MA Couple & Family Therapy (UNSW) - 2003

    Modalities

    ACT - Buddhist Psychotherapy - Conversational Model - Existential - Interpersonal - Marriage and Family - Meditation - Mindfulness - Person Centred - Psychodynamic - Systems Theory

    Therapy Approach

    My approach is respectful, non pathologizing, strength based, individualised, collaborative and feedback oriented.

    Professional Associations

    • Australian Association of Psychologists Inc
    • British Psychological Society

    Practice Locations

    Macleod Wellness Centre
    2/26 Aberdeen Road
    Macleod VIC 3085

    Easy access to parking and public transport

    Appointments

    By arrangement

    Fees & Insurance

    Patients referred by a GP may claim a Medicare Rebate for a percentage of the fee. Patients with private health insurance may also be able to obtain a refund.

    Payment Options

    Sessions may be partially covered by Medicare and/or Private Insurance

    Contact Max

    Please contact me to book a 15 minute free initial consult

      03 9459 0603

    Send an email to Max Rutherford

    When contacting a therapist, let them
    know you found them at Good Therapy

    A conversation with Max Rutherford

    • From an early age I have been interested in science, the arts, literature, philosophy and the nature of reality. My interest in psychotherapy grew naturally from these earlier preoccupations.
    • The philosophical approaches that have most influenced me are: The Conversational Model of Russell Meares; Existential Psychotherapy (Irvin Yalom, Robert Miller), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Adam Phillips, Christopher Bollas, Neville Symington), Neuro-Psychoanalysis (Mark Solms).

      My work is also grounded in over thirty years worth of practicing and teaching mindfulness meditation.
    • I have a particular interest in how people accommodate to the challenge of chronic illness.
    • I try to listen to, and understand, as best I can, whatever the patient brings ... and I work from there.
    • Progress in therapy is dependent upon the patients willingness to get in touch with the fundamental sources of their own motivations and behaviors. The first task is to understand who we are and what's happening in our lives. After that the task is to figure out what what has to change in order to move forward with whatever issues brought us to therapy in the first place. There are no universal formula's for how to do this. No two patients are the same. No two therapists are the same. Each process of therapy has to evolve in its own way towards it's own unique conclusion. Sometimes this can happen in a single session. Sometimes it takes much longer. The important things is for each party to keep checking in with the other to ensure that the process stays on track.
    • I hope so but it's not for me to say
    • In my role as a therapist I get to know people in a very profound way and it's a privilege to learn what's in their hearts and minds. I have learned more about therapy and about life from my patients than from any other source and what's wonderful about this work is that every patient teaches me something valuable and new.
    • I don't have much hair but metaphorically I do!
    • Social isolation and the loss of community
    • I have been influenced by so many people and experiences that it's hard to come up with particular examples without skewing the impression they might leave.

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