Philosophy & Vision
In my 23 years as a clinical psychologist, I have learnt that people already possess the personal resources they need to heal their psychological distress. In treatment I aim to activate those resources by helping people overcome the despair and stuckness that compels them to repeat their painful ways of relating and living. I listen to what my clients tell me on all levels: verbal, non-verbal, emotional and implied comments to help me activate the neglected or rejected aspects of their selves.
When the therapy is alive, the client feels safe and motivated to provide meaningful communications about their distress, but can also change without shame or pressure.
Background
Community work in South Africa, Undergraduate lecturing in South Africa
Work in various settings: prisons, childrens' home and hospitals in South Africa
Sexual Assault counsellor in Sydney
Lecturing and supervision of counsellers in Sydney (2003-2008)
Private Practice from 2000-present in Sydney and Bowral since 2017
Services
Individuals, adolescents, children, couples and families.
Quality Provision
I offer a deeply respectful relationship in which it is safe for the client to express the pain and "dysfunction" they are unable to express in their own relationships for fear of shame and retribution. It has been my experience that when shame stops paralysing people, they are able to recover and develop deeply satisfying life experiences.
I also lecture in the field and I keep abreast in the latest developments by undertaking regular training here and overseas.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- BA - 1989 - University of Witwatersrand
- Honours Psychology - 1984 - University of Witwatersrand
- MA Clinical Psychology - 1998 - Rand Afrikaanse University
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - CBT - Compassion-Focused Therapy - Ecological Psychotherapy - Emotionally Focused Therapy - Ericksonian - Existential - Interpersonal - Marriage and Family - Mindfulness - Person Centred - Play Therapy - Process Oriented - Psychodynamic - Schema Therapy - Self Psychology - Somatic Psychotherapy - Transactional Analysis - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
An integrated approach incorporating interactional work, systemic theory, the various psychotherapies adapted to an interpersonal foundation. I emphasise relationships: those in the clients own context and the relationship as it unfolds between me and the client.
What happens between me and the client mirrors what happens with the client and other people. The therapeutic relationship is the opportunity for the client to use and explore more of themselves to use in their own relationships.
Professional Associations
- Australian Psychological Society
Practice Locations
4/368 Bong Bong Street
Bowral NSW 2576
The Bowral practice is walking distance from the train and there is ample off street parking.
There is a bus stop across the road of the Concord premises (Burwood Rd and Gipps St)
13 Gipps St
Concord NSW 2137
Appointments
Mon-Friday 9-8
Fees & Insurance
Due to a sliding scale, different treatment modalities and possible rebates, fees will be discussed with you on enquiry.
I am registered with health funds and Medicare (clinical psychology)
Payment Options
Cash or cheque
Contact Catherine
Please contact me to make an appointment
When contacting a therapist, let them
know you found them at Good Therapy
A conversation with Catherine Devetzis
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I am particularly interested in trauma. It seems that so many other symptoms come about as a result of earlier trauma. Trauma has a method, that if understood and channeled in a therapeutic environment, is the map directing the person to healing. Symptoms are there for a reason, they are communication, and when heeded appropriately, can release a person from their painful spiral.
Symptoms ALWAYS occur in a context, and it is my personal joy to create the space that forms a healing context for the person experiencing their symptoms.
I am always blown away by the innate wisdom shown by how a person or family organizes itself around the symptom, and now specific the required remedy is. It takes a lot of skill, engagement and very subtle listening to identify what the person needs to enable them to stop being directed by the "protection" offered by symptoms. -
I have been trained to utilize whatever is available in the moment to design a therapeutic experience that will be meaningful and useful to my client. If you listen carefully to your clients, they will let you know what they require to assist them. It is seldom spoken directly, but conveyed in their posture, gestures, tone of voice, words used, words not used, body language etc.
I do not subscribe to the one policy fits all approach, as what people require to heal differs from moment to moment and person to person.
In my session, you can expect feedback on what I observe, and I will guide our interaction to match what my clients words to their on verbal communication. This can only occur when someone feels very safe with me, and trusts that they will be supported and understood with whatever emerges. Providing this space is my ongoing development and utter joy when it is achieved. -
I love the fact that I have to evolve on a moment by moment basis to meet my clients around their points of pain and then to help direct our discussions to a point where it is safe and possible for a client to experience a more authentic way of being.
I love the fact that for a living I get to be very understanding and get to witness people's amazing resilience, wisdom and ultimately their transformation into happier and more authentic ways of being.
The feeling when the therapeutic space has been achieved (by me) and it is being used (by the client) is one of utter joy, excitement and privilege. Irrespective of whether it was an easy or difficult session, I always walk away from my sessions understanding more, and excited to apply that new information when I see my client next.. -
Robert Grant refers to trauma as the "way of the wound", of course this path is often scary, painful and fraught with misunderstandings. However, I have learnt that maintaining my responses as understanding and remaining open to how people express pain, results in these hard sessions becoming the turning point in people's recovery and their treatment.