Penelope (Penny) completed her Masters-level training in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Australia in 2013. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and a Board Approved Supervisor.
Throughout her career, Penny has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families across hospital, community and educational settings. She is experienced in working with complex mental health presentations, and providing therapeutic intervention to both individuals and groups. Penny’s therapeutic approach is relaxed, warm and genuine. She values the therapeutic relationship as the most important vehicle for change in the therapy hour. As such, she aims to provide a supportive and accepting atmosphere that facilitates open discussions about topics that may otherwise feel challenging or embarrassing. She is committed to ethical practice and upholding client confidentiality.
Penny has a particular interest supporting clients to make sense of their own attachment history and how it may impact on current problems and interpersonal experiences, including parenting challenges. She works with individuals in the context of their environment to unpack and break free from unhelpful recurrent patterns that impact on emotion, behaviour, relationships and overall wellbeing. As part of this process, she has a strong focus on assisting others to understand, express and respond to their own emotional needs and experiences.
As is supported by the research evidence base, Penny understands that there are many ways to grow and/or heal through therapy. As such, she ensures interventions are person-centred, so that the experience of therapy is tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. She draws on her knowledge and training in attachment theory, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and clinical hypnosis to develop interventions that are suited to the needs and goals of her clients. Areas of practice:
Perinatal mental health
· Postnatal mental health (including anxiety and depression) and traumatic birth experiences
· Adjustment to parenthood
· Antenatal, pregnancy, childbirth fears and preparation for childbirth
Adult mental health
· Adjustment difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, phobias, trauma, OCD
· Recurrent and longstanding mental health, relationship, and interpersonal issues
Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis is a psychological intervention that may assist individuals when used as an adjunct to evidence-based therapy. It can be beneficial in some cases for:
· Preparation for labour & childbirth
· Anxiety, OCD, panic, and phobias
· Pain management
· Stress, self-confidence, and performance anxiety
Qualifications
· Bachelor of Arts (psychology) (honours)
· Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
· Full and current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, Endorsed Area of Practice in Clinical Psychology
· Board Approved Supervisor
· Advanced Training in Clinical Hypnosis (South Australian Society of Hypnosis)
· Medicare Provider – Clinical Psychology
Penelope Phillips’ ABN is 6580317042424
