In addition to having extensive experience in working with individuals suffering from depression and anxiety, Jonathan has a strong interest in the following:

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• social phobia (typically characterised by marked shyness and concerns about what others think of you)

• panic disorder with or without agoraphobia

• parenting advice

• vocational assessment and guidance (career counselling)

• dating, and choosing the right partner

• family of origin issues

• sleeping problems

 

Therapeutic strategies used by Jonathan are drawn predominantly from the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Schema Therapy models of psychology. Within these models of therapy there are many therapeutic techniques available to help you achieve your goals.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as the name suggests, is about challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, and helping you find the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Quite often, our persistent, negative thoughts about ourselves and the world can be very distorted, and when we learn to replace these maladaptive thoughts with more positive, constructive, rational thoughts, our mood often improves considerably. CBT also offers other strategies, such as those that help us de-arouse (e.g. breathing techniques), communicate with more influence (e.g. assertiveness training), or make up our minds (e.g. structured problem-solving), and is known to be an effective treatment approach for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, shyness, phobias, insomnia, and anger problems.

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Schema Therapy can be particularly helpful for longer-term, recurring problems, including persistent interpersonal problems. Schemas are important beliefs about ourselves and the world, beliefs that we often accept without question. We view the world, and ourselves, through our schemas. Many of these beliefs are distorted and unhelpful, and often have their origins way back in childhood and adolescence. The goal of therapy is to help you heal the schema rather than perpetuating the schema. This is done by helping you challenge your thinking distortions, your self-defeating behaviour patterns, and your unhelpful coping styles.

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Jonathan would be very happy to have a preliminary discussion prior to booking your first appointment about whatever issues you wish to bring to counselling. He genuinely looks forward to helping you. Jonathan is normally available for consultations on Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, however sessions are limited to telehealth on Tuesdays until 2024. Please call 03 9188 4265 to arrange an appointment.

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Before you come to your first session, you might like to review Jonathan's Privacy Form and Consent Form -