About Sue
Sue Lawrence | Principle Psychologist
As a registered Psychologist with 27 years experience in Private Practice, Sue Lawrence has a wealth of experience and knowledge to help you through your past and present challenges and difficulties. Together we can facilitate your progress towards developing a sense of contentment and gaining a more productive future.
I have an interest in Stress, Depression and Anxiety, Addictions, Sports Performance, and Pain and Trauma, and in the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. I use many evidence based techniques and therapies including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Rational Emotive therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR and Person-Centred Counselling. I now offer Virtual Reality Therapy through Psious.
My time as a teacher and then as a Lecturer in Psychology has given me the skills to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. I also have many years of experience in studying and working with the human body, so our work together can be approached from a more holistic perspective.
A Wealth of Experience & Training.
My Practice
Having recently moved into a new practice, I feel that I have achieved the perfect combination of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, along with a sprinkle of good humour and the promise of things to come. The waiting area has a warm cosy feel, and our caring receptionists are bright and bubbly yet still respectful of your likely fragile emotional state. I pride myself on professionalism and efficiency, meaning I run on time with no unnecessary delays. I like to think that my clients come in and feel expectancy – the sense that something will happen. What happens, and when, and how, is all part of what we will discover together.
Change is always possible – something WILL happen.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science Psychology and Human Movement Studies, – University of Melbourne
- Graduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology – University of Melbourne
- Diploma of Education – University of Melbourne
- Masters in Applied Psychology – Monash University
- Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnosis – The Centre for Effective Therapy
- AHPRA registered: PSY0001120130
TAC, WorkCover, NDIS, VOC provider & Working with Children Check
Education and Work History
After completing a Bachelor of Science Degree (major in Psychology and Human Movement Studies) and a Diploma in Education at the University of Melbourne in 1985, I taught secondary PE, Maths and Science for six years. Whilst teaching I undertook post graduate studies in Child and Adolescent Psychology (University of Melbourne), as well as completing a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnosis.
For several years I was a Lecturer in Psychology at Monash University whilst I studied part time earning my Masters Degree in Applied Psychology. I then set up my Private Practice allowing me to put all I had studied to practical use.
More recently I was a member of the Working Group of the Chronic Pain Alliance and the Chronic Disease Management Alliance for the Peninsula Model and Medicare Local. The aim of the Alliance was to improve the management and health outcomes for consumers with chronic pain in the Frankston Mornington Peninsula catchment. Software for GPs and brochures for patients were just some of the outcomes from these groups.
Why I do What I do
During my early years in Private Practice I worked in a multi-disciplinary setting at Langwarrin Sports Medicine Centre. This gave me a great insight into the BioPsychoSocial Model, as well as a more wholistic approach to working with clients. During that time I was a founding member of the first Pain Management Programme to run on the Peninsula, mostly catering to TAC and WorkCover clients. We ran the groups out of the then Peninsula Private hospital with significant success.
These early years fostered an interest in Pain and Trauma, which I in turn then studied and worked with further in the ensuing years. Working in a Sports Medicine practice, many of my clients were athletes who came to enhance their performance by addressing issues such as performance anxiety, focus of attention and concentration difficulties, goal setting, travelling from home to compete, and learning mindfulness and relaxation techniques. The Victorian Institute of Sport sponsored golfers whom I saw for Sports Psychology work, and I spent some time at the AIS honing my skills.
I have adopted a vegan, low waste lifestyle, and am passionate about caring for our fellow animals and environment. I understand the importance of finding like-minded people to help you if you are vegan and seeking a Psychologist.
I have two auto immune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis. This means that my exercise and diet are important in helping me manage the symptoms and keeping the inflammation down. Having these conditions helps me to better understand the lives of some of my clients, whether it be physical pain, emotional pain or both. I have personal experience in dealing with this day to day.
I feel very privileged to have worked with individuals, couples and groups for over 25 years. This has given me the opportunity to develop a unique and effective approach to facilitating change. I see you, the client, as a whole, yet still focus on the specific place where you may be stuck emotionally, psychologically and cognitively, and see connection as the key. I tailor the therapeutic approach to suit you and what you bring on the day, recognising and understanding that your tool box doesn’t always have a full set of tools in it.
Address
Suite 7, Level 1, 315 Main Street, Mornington, 3931
Call Us
(03) 9120 8830