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Dr Joanne Dennison
Counselling Psychologist

Qualifications & Training

 

Joanne completed a Master of Arts degree, with Honors in psychology, before going on to complete a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Her training spanned seven years of full-time university study, which she completed between the U.K., New Zealand and Australia. In recognition of Joanne’s academic achievements during her doctoral studies, she was awarded lifetime membership of Golden Key International Honorary Society for academic excellence.

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Joanne’s level of expertise in Counselling Psychology has lead to her being endorsed by the governing body of practicing psychologists in Australia (AHPRA). Furthermore, Joanne is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS), and is registered as a member of the APS Counselling College.

 

From 2013-2019, Joanne was on the National Executive board of the Australian Psychological Society’s Counselling College. Further to this, 2017-2019, Joanne held the positions of state Chair (Victoria) and Chair Elect of the Australian Psychological Society’s Counselling College.

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Joanne is a board-registered supervisor, who provides consultation to fully qualified psychologists and to those completing postgraduate psychology training programs.

 

Through her commitment to ongoing professional development, Joanne strives to ensure clients are provided with a therapeutic experience that maximizes their opportunity to make treatment gains. Having completed trainings in a wide range of therapeutic frameworks, Joanne draws on evidenced-based approaches when tailoring treatment to each client’s needs.
 

Therapeutic Approach / Area of Expertise

 

Joanne’s professional experience has seen her coordinate the delivery of state-wide treatment programs, supervise other psychologists, and be invited to present at various professional conferences. Nonetheless, her primary interest lies in working with clients in therapy.

 

Joanne is particularly interested in working with clients who are motivated to develop their understanding of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours, through exploring their early life experiences, as well as their internal drives, beliefs and values. Given it is difficult to make positive changes without being aware of contributing factors, these components are considered an important part of treatment.

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Joanne has experience working with a wide range of client populations, with diverse treatment needs. Specifically, she has worked in the areas of addictions (drug & alcohol; individual & group therapy), forensic psychology, relationships/couples counselling, school counselling (adolescents), and eating disorders. Further to this, Joanne has completed training to provide perinatal mental health treatment (treatment for pregnancy-related mental health concerns) under the Medicare Scheme. She is qualified in, and registered as, a Circle of Security Parent Educator.

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Whilst Joanne provides treatment to clients with a variety of therapeutic needs/goals, she is particularly passionate in working with clients who wish to address matters relating to:

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Joanne adopts a process-oriented psychotherapeutic approach. In doing so, she draws upon principles from Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Eye-Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy, Havening, and Interpersonal, Mindfulness and Emotion-Focused theories.

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Professional Registrations/Memberships

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