- Nancy McWilliams
Ms Meg Bonnell
Clinical Psychologist
Peaceful Mind Psychology
Hawthorn, VIC 3122
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
Meg is the Principal Clinical Psychologist of Peaceful Mind Psychology, and is also a board-approved supervisor. Meg as a therapist is warm and down to earth in her approach, where she believes that the foundation for successful therapy is trust.
Meg focuses on taking the time to understand a person’s experience, and non-judgementally share insights around the factors that might influence their situation, whilst respecting that they are the expert in their own life. Meg is also flexible, welcoming feedback to ensure that the therapy is comfortable and ultimately guided by the individual.
At the end of the day, Meg believes in 'walking alongside' the person during their journey, supporting them each step, wherever their path may lead.
Background
Meg has worked with a wide variety of people since starting her first placement during her Masters, in a range of locations. She's worked in hospitals in both Melbourne's inner and outer East, as well as in the outer West. She's worked with inpatients and those attending outpatient day programs, individually and in groups, with both adults and adolescents.
Meg moved into private practice wanting the opportunity to collaboratively delve into deeper issues, the kind that take time to gently uncover with compassion and a steady, step by step approach - a luxury that hospital-based work unfortunately does not always offer these days. Since starting in private practice, she has felt privileged to develop further in these approaches.
Services
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) - 2017 - University of Melbourne
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - 2013 - Monash University
- Bachelor of Arts - 2012 - Monash University
Modalities
ACT - CBT - DBT - Mindfulness - Motivational Interviewing - Schema Therapy - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
Meg prefers to take an 'eclectic' approach, meaning that she draws from a range of different modalities to best suit the individual's needs, rather than rigidly adhering to one type of therapy.
Overall, she prefers to firstly create a map of the person's difficulties, including where they originated, and what keeps them going (also called a formulation). Once this and some goals for what the individual would like to be different in their life have been established, she draws from different therapeutic modalities to best meet these goals. There is also a focus on compassionate acceptance of, and learning from, painful feelings, as these feelings tell us important information about our lives.
Professional Associations
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Psychological Society
Practice Locations
Peaceful Mind Psychology
91 Riversdale Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122
All our practice locations have nearby trains, trams, buses, and on-street parking (around clearways, which are only ever one side of the street). Our Prahran location is wheelchair accessible.
Peaceful Mind Psychology
580 High Street
Prahran VIC 3181
Appointments
Peaceful Mind Psychology has psychologists available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and on Saturdays 9am to 3pm. Meg sees clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Fees & Insurance
Please contact our reception for information on fees. Medicare rebates are available, and private health rebates may apply depending on your cover.
Contact Meg
Please contact reception to make an appointment
A conversation with Meg Bonnell
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I have always been passionately curious about people; in my career I wanted to learn what made each of us who we are, and why we do what we do. I also have always been a bit of a counsellor. Even as an early teenager I was the one that friends would come to, to chat through how they were feeling or have a good cry to get it out. I guess it grew from there!
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I've always been attracted to humanistic principles - those that put the person at the centre, rather than their 'problem', diagnosis, or difficulty. I think seeing each person as unique allows for a tailored, individualised approach, rather than falling into 'cookie cutter' approaches that assume everyone will respond the same way.
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I draw on a range of therapies, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), schema therapy, and motivational interviewing.
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It can be hard to say for sure, as what each person needs from therapy is different. Sometimes people might feel a little progress has been made after the first session, if they feel that I've understood and really heard what their experience has been. Others won't feel they have made progress until they have a significant insight into how they got here, and are able to start working on the attached feelings.
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Therapy has opened my eyes to just how resilient and strong people are, as well as given me insights into my own life, strengthened my ways of coping, and improved how I communicate with others.
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The privilege of being able to see someone grow and develop in their confidence and ability to cope with life's curveballs. I deeply appreciate the trust my clients have in myself and in the work we do together.
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Of course, I think everyone does! Sometimes you have to just do your best with what you've got to work with, and be kind to yourself.
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I think climate change is the most significant problem we face today.
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I'm a huge reader and love incorporating popular culture references into therapeutic discussions. I've been known to reference Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Batman, Parks and Rec, Mean Girls, The Good Place, and many other books and movies in conversations in therapy (they were appropriate and made sense at the time I promise!).