Paola Vacarez (Psychologist and Clinical Director)

Areas of expertise:

Paola has experience working with children, adolescents and adults around issues of Trauma, PTSD, Childhood issues, Sexual abuse, Anger management, Behaviour problems, Crisis management, Emotional abuse, Life transitions, Adjustment disorders, Self-esteem and self-development
Women’s issues, Family violence, Migratory grief, Culture shock and relationships difficulties.

She has experience in a range of settings including disability services; homelessness services; schools; community health; migrants, international students, refugees and asylum seekers support services, and private practice.

Approach:

Paola draws upon a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic therapy, Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Nathaly Vargas (Psychologist)

Areas of expertise:

Nathaly has been working as a psychologist for more than 7 years. She has a wide range of experience working with adults, adolescents and children in private practice, hospital settings, forensic settings and non-for profit community organisations.

Nathaly has extensive training and experience working with clients facing grief, loss and bereavement, chronic disease, obesity, difficult life transitions, depression and anxiety. She is also experienced in stress and burnout, Trauma, Childhood issues, Anger management, Behaviour problems, Crisis management, Emotional abuse, Life transitions, Adjustment disorders, Self-esteem and self-development, Women’s issues, Vocational guidance, Family violence, Parenting, Migratory grief, Culture shock, emotional regulation difficulties, and parenting and family difficulties. Nathaly has a special interest in working with immigration challenges, homesickness, and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Due to her Latin American background, she is able to deliver therapy in both Spanish and English.

 

Approach:

Nathaly is interested in creating a comfortable and supportive environment for clients and encourage collaboration and empowerment through problem solving and skills tailored to client’s needs. She utilises a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness techniques, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Positive Psychology.

Angelica Maria Valderrama (Psychologist)

Professional qualifications 

Angelica is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA). She is also a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

 

Angelica completed a Bachellor in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Family in Colombia. Angélica is currently studying for a second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (University of New England- Australia).

 

Angelica offers therapy in English and Spanish.

 

Angelica’s availability: Saturday 

 

Areas of expertise:

Angelica has particular interest in the areas of trauma, grief, domestic violence, child abuse, life transitions, women’s issues,and relationship/family issues. Her experience working with children, young people, and adults allows her to adapt her interventions to the person’s developmental stage. 

Angélica has particular interest in working with the queer community. She is aware of systemic issues such as isolation, discrimination and stigma that people from the community often experience and she works to provide a supporting and safe therapeutic space to promote self-acceptance, resilience and healthy relationships.

Angelica is passionate about working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and indigenous people. Angélica started working with Latino communities in Colombia when she became a psychologist and over the past 8 years in Australia she has developed cultural competency to communicate appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds and to understand their emotional problems through cultural lenses. Angélica is aware of issues that often people from diverse backgrounds experience including: forced migration, grief, intergenerational trauma, discrimination, social isolation and stress related to transitioning to a new culture. 

 

Approach:

Angelica has training in a variety of psychological approaches which gives her the opportunity to tailor her interventions to her clients’ needs and preferences. Angélica’s approaches to therapy include:

Person-centered therapy (Rogerian therapy) 

Gestalt therapy 

Systemic therapy 

Narrative therapy 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Intensive short term Dynamic therapy (ISTDP)