Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu.
Alternative Direction offers a range of evidence based individual therapy options for children, teens, adults, and families.
OUR SERVICES
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
CHILD
The childhood years are marked with immense development across social, emotional, physical and cognitive domains and bumps in the road are to be expected. Managing the transition to school is major task for children in this age group and difficulties in this area may mean that your child would benefit from additional support. Anxiety is a common presenting issue for children in this age group, as well as emotional regulation skills, behaviour support or social skills.
TEEN
Adolescence is a time of rapid change where young people (and their parents) experience new challenges. This can include navigating boundaries and independence, responsibilities, roles, risk and identity. Teens will often seek assistance around managing stress and regulating emotions and behaviour, peer difficulties, self-esteem and identity issues and relationship issues/conflict with their parents. Some young people will need assistance with mental health issues such as anxiety, mood disorders, self-harm/suicidal ideation and eating disorders.
ADULT
Adulthood is perhaps less marked by rapid change and development like childhood and adolescence but still holds many life challenges. These often include difficult individual experiences, partner relationship issues, parenting difficulties (including bonding and attachment issues), life stage transitions, navigating separation or divorce. Common mental health issues for this population include mood disorders, anxiety, substance use disorders as well as eating disorders and trauma.
FAMILY
There are a multitude of reasons that might prompt a family to seek family therapy support. These could include a family-based approach for treatment when one family member has a mental health issue or difficulty. It might also include a family that is experiencing difficulty navigating a family transition such as becoming parents, navigating adolescence, the loss of a family member, adjustment to family separation, divorce or re-partnering or a traumatic family event. Some families engage in family therapy to improve family functioning such as enhancing communication, conflict and connectedness.
OUR TEAM
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist
Victoria is an accredited Mental Health social worker who has worked in the field of child and youth mental health for the past 15 years across community, inpatient and acute settings. Victoria is well versed in treatment of all frequently presenting mental health issues including mood, anxiety and eating disorders.
Victoria has trained with leading experts in the field of attachment and complex trauma and has worked in this field for many years including child protection work and working with families of fostered and adopted children. Victoria has completed post-graduate studies in family therapy and is in the final stages of completing her national, clinical accreditation.
Victoria has a special in interest in trauma, self-esteem and body image and attachment based relationship difficulties. Victoria’s practice has a strong relationship and safety focuses with an emphasis on collaboration. Victoria welcomes referrals for individuals, couples and families.
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OUR TEAM
Bruce Laing
Registered Psychologist
Bruce has been working with children, young people and adults for more than 20years. He has worked in a number of roles in Community Agencies, Education, Mental Health and in Private Practice. Bruce has treatment experience with young people who have Anorexia and is an accredited Maudsley Based Family Therapist which is the current leading evidence-based treatment.
Bruce can help with a range of treatments to help children, young people and adults manage anxiety, depression, OCD, parenting struggles, issues of gender and sexuality and other clinical presentations. Bruce has experience working with both clinical complexity and management of risk.
Bruce has a warm, friendly approach and has a firm commitment to partnering with individuals and their families in working towards their recovery. If you would like to meet with Bruce you can ask for a referral from your GP, see him as a client without a medical referral or contact your private health fund to check is psychology is covered. Medicare rebates are available under Mental Health Care Plans and Eating Disorder Management Plans.
Make an AppointmentOUR FEES
SERVICES & RELATED FEES
CANCELLATION
$50 Less than 24hr notice
- Applicable to all services
- Less than 24hr notice
- Call or email
Medicare Rebates available with appropriate referral
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LATEST NEWS
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Get in touch with us to request an appointment. We are here to assist in finding answers for yourself or someone you care about.
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