- Martin Buber
Mr Max Rutherford
Counselling Psychologist, Existential Psychotherapist
Max Rutherford
Macleod, VIC 3085
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Everybody needs someone to talk to and in the context of therapy the aim is to be able to talk as freely as possible and then to learn from whatever comes up. We do this in order to gain an understanding of who we are in the context of the worlds in which we live. Ordinarily we are so busy that we barely have time to think, and so the aim of therapy is to create a space to work through what's important to us in life.
What can I, the therapist, bring to the table? In additional to a willingness to listen I hope to bring and objective perspective on what's being discussed and to provide feedback (and occasionally a therapeutic tool) to create space for new ways of thinking and being.
Background
Twenty five years experience working with individuals, couples and families in private practice and as an employee in a range of public and private organizations including The Sacred Heart Hospice (Sydney), Sydney Pain Management, Relationships Australia, International People Services, The University of New South Wales (student counselling service), The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Australia Prostate Centre.
Services
Therapy may be brief or long term.
Quality Provision
As a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists I am bound by that organisations code of conduct. I receive regular clinical supervision in addition to on-going personal and professional development.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- B Sc (Hons) Psychology (London University) - 1996
- Post Grad Dip Counselling Psych (City Uni, London) - 2000
- MA Couple & Family Therapy (UNSW) - 2003
Modalities
ACT - Buddhist Psychotherapy - Conversational Model - Existential - Interpersonal - Marriage and Family - Meditation - Mindfulness - Person Centred - Psychodynamic - Systems Theory
Therapy Approach
My approach is respectful, non pathologizing, strength based, individualised, collaborative and feedback oriented.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Psychologists Inc
- British Psychological Society
Practice Locations
Macleod Wellness Centre
2/26 Aberdeen Road
Macleod VIC 3085
Easy access to parking and public transport
Australian Prostate Centre
Level 8, 14-20 Blackwood Street
North Melbourne VIC 3051
Appointments
By arrangement
Fees & Insurance
Patients referred by a GP may claim a Medicare Rebate for a percentage of the fee. Patients with private health insurance may also be able to obtain a refund.
Payment Options
Sessions may be partially covered by Medicare and/or Private Insurance
Contact Max
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Max Rutherford
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From an early age I have been interested in science, the arts, literature, philosophy and the nature of reality. My interest in psychotherapy grew naturally from these earlier preoccupations.
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The philosophical approaches that have most influenced me are: The Conversational Model of Russell Meares; Existential Psychotherapy (Irvin Yalom, Robert Miller), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Adam Phillips, Christopher Bollas, Neville Symington), Neuro-Psychoanalysis (Mark Solms).
My work is also grounded in over thirty years worth of practicing and teaching mindfulness meditation. -
I have a particular interest in how people accommodate to the challenge of chronic illness.
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I try to listen to, and understand, as best I can, whatever the patient brings ... and I work from there.
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Progress in therapy is dependent upon the patients willingness to get in touch with the fundamental sources of their own motivations and behaviors. The first task is to understand who we are and what's happening in our lives. After that the task is to figure out what what has to change in order to move forward with whatever issues brought us to therapy in the first place. There are no universal formula's for how to do this. No two patients are the same. No two therapists are the same. Each process of therapy has to evolve in its own way towards it's own unique conclusion. Sometimes this can happen in a single session. Sometimes it takes much longer. The important things is for each party to keep checking in with the other to ensure that the process stays on track.
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I hope so but it's not for me to say
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In my role as a therapist I get to know people in a very profound way and it's a privilege to learn what's in their hearts and minds. I have learned more about therapy and about life from my patients than from any other source and what's wonderful about this work is that every patient teaches me something valuable and new.
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I don't have much hair but metaphorically I do!
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Social isolation and the loss of community
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I have been influenced by so many people and experiences that it's hard to come up with particular examples without skewing the impression they might leave.