What are Jonathon's qualifications?

Jonathon has a 2-year Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Melbourne, a 4-year Honours degree in Psychology and Psychophysiology, and a 4-year Honours degree in Economics from Monash University.

 

Jonathon is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA), a full Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and a member of the highly esteemed APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

 

The APS recognises Jonathon as a senior clinical psychologist and supervisor of other psychologists.

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and other psychologists?

All psychologists with a four-year university degree are trained to provide general counselling and basic assessment.

 

However, clinical psychologists undertake an extra four years of specialised training (two years in post-graduate studies and two years in supervised clinical practice) in addition to a standard psychology qualification. This allows clinical psychologists to effectively treat clients presenting with more serious psychological issues.

 

Specifically, clinical psychologists work within the medical model (as do GPs and psychiatrists) and have expertise in formal assessment and diagnosis, case formulation, treatment planning, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

 

Only a small percentage of psychologists have completed the extra training to earn the title of 'clinical psychologist'.

 

As a result, Medicare provides clinical psychologists with access to a higher Medicare rebate than general psychologists, in recognition of their specialty training.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for the majority of psychological issues. 'Cognitive' simply refers to the way we think, and 'behaviour' refers to the things we do.

 

By altering the way we think and the things we do, we can change our emotional state.

 

CBT is not 'talking therapy' - the benefits of CBT are realised when clients implement the strategies formulated by a clinical psychologist. Therefore, CBT is not like taking a pill, as it requires the client to take an active role in their recovery.

 

Compared to medication, CBT teaches you coping skills and new ways of thinking you can use to overcome challenges all throughout your life.

 

Please note, in some cases medication has a role to assist the process of CBT, especially when a client is severely depressed or anxious.

 

 

How long will it take?

 

The speed of recovery is directly related to how closely a client follows a clinical psychologist's advice. Some clients recover in 2 to 3 months, while others take many years if they don't complete their between-session tasks. These tasks are usually quite simple (eg. brief notes in a 'therapy diary') but extremely important.

 

 

Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy the same as counselling?

 

Often these terms are used interchangeably, but they aren't the same thing.

 

Counselling involves listening and reflection, often with the goal of insight. Counselling is ideal to 'get things off your chest' or to improve relationships. However, it is not effective for serious psychological issues.

 

Compared to counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is much more structured, focuses more on current maintaining factors than past events, requires the client to implement strategies into their daily life, and has the goal of symptom reduction and recovery.

 

Clients can spend years in counselling, while CBT is generally short-term. Since Medicare only provides a limited number of rebated consultations per calendar year, CBT is the most efficient and appropriate therapy approach for most adult clients.

 

Jonathon uses a combination of supportive counselling and CBT, depending on client needs.

 

 

How many bulk-billed consultations can I have?

 

Medicare currently allocates 10 psychology consultations per calendar year.

 

Under the Liberal government clients could access up to 18 consultations per calendar year, but the Labor government has cut funding back to 10 consultations, despite their promises to improve the mental health of Australians.

 

 

Who do you treat?

 

Jonathon treats adults (age 17+).

 

Jonathon does not take clients with current or forthcoming legal or WorkCover issues. Please let us know if you require a psycho-legal assessment or court representation and we can refer you to a forensic psychologist (who specialise in these areas).

 

 

Do you also offer bulk-billed home visits?

 

Yes, in addition to clinic appointments in Prahran and Moorabbin, Jonathon offers bulk-billed home visits in the area marked on the map below (Port Melbourne to Mordialloc, and further eastwards).