Dr Philomena Tan
Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist
Rewire & Flourish
Middle Brighton, VIC 3186
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Ultimately, most people want to thrive. They want to move on from traumas, external and internal obstacles, find resources, build strengths, forge heartfelt connections and have a fulfilling life. Their best life. With deep listening, a safe collaborative relationship, and interlocking effective methods, I can help you rewire and flourish - better mood, positive sense of self, purpose, avenues of achievement and meaningful relationships. At the deepest level, good therapy is care of the soul.
Background
I have been in psychotherapy private practice since 1998. Prior to this I was Research Director at an international consulting company. I also taught “Careers that work†at RMIT University for 7 years. The research from my doctorate thesis was published as “Leaving the rat race to get a lifeâ€. Training in couples work was undertaken at Relationships Australia. I have 3 mentors (EMDR, Schema work & Hypnosis). My clinical work is informed by my own experiences of meeting challenging events, including early loss and life threatening illness, on-going advanced training in specific psychotherapy modalities as well as personal therapy.
Services
I provide clinical psychology services for clients who are GP or self-referred (anxiety, depression, PTSD, issues with adjusting to major difficulties such as serious illness and loss). I also provide counselling and psychotherapy to clients who are functioning well but have issues and challenging life situations (e.g. relationship and family difficulties, work stresses, career direction, internal conflicts, loss of meaning). This could involve either intense short-term therapy or medium-long term therapy for long standing conditions and multiple issues. I work with the whole person – physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual, in a safe space for dialogue, mindfulness, compassion, resourcing for positive outcomes.
Quality Provision
As a clinical and counselling psychologist, my commitment to effective and ethical consulting is supported by on-going professional and personal development:
ï¶ Collaboration with clients in planning and treatment
ï¶ Client feedback and review
ï¶ Clinical and peer consultations (including overseas)
ï¶ Specialist workshops, webinars & skills training (Australian and international)
ï¶ Reading journals and specialist texts
ï¶ Continuing personal development and therapy
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- DPsych - 2000 - Swinburne
- MSc - 1992 - University of Melbourne
- BSc(Hons) - 1982 - University of Melbourne
Modalities
ACT - Buddhist Psychotherapy - CBT - EMDR - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Inner Child - Meditation - Mindfulness - Schema Therapy
Therapy Approach
Essentially I will work collaboratively with you to develop a realistic and holistic treatment plan, taking into consideration your needs, history and temperament. My modalities of choice are 4th and 5th generation methods with a better track record of delivering positive changes which last - EMDR, brainspotting, schema, compassion, internal family systems and Gottman couple therapy; . While understanding and insights are important, changing unhelpful habits and patterns of thinking, feeling and being are critical for rewiring and ultimately moving onto well-being and flourishing. Care is also taken that you are sufficiently stable for maintaining daily life while dismantling past trauma patterns. See www.rewireandflourish for more info
Professional Associations
- Australian Psychological Society