Meet Joanne
Joanne Spadavecchia is a highly experienced registered psychologist with a 19-year career dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome trauma and emotional challenges. Her warm and communicative style instills confidence in her clients as she offers expert guidance on taking control of their emotions and moving forward.
Joanne's unique personal perspective as a survivor of childhood sexual assault drives her passion for assisting those who have experienced similar trauma, allowing her to approach therapy with profound empathy and a client-centered focus.
Qualifications
M Psych BA (Hons Psych)
AHPRA Registered Psychologist
Support Services we specialise in
Child Welfare Services
Joanne's dedication to helping children has drawn her to work with youngsters facing a wide range of challenges, such as trauma, behavioral issues, learning difficulties, and school avoidance. Crafting constructive behavior management strategies for children both in their home and school environments has consistently demonstrated its ability to enhance a child's development and foster a deeper comprehension of their requirements among those in their surroundings.
Joanne firmly advocates for a holistic approach to enable children to attain their highest potential.
Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment
Joanne specializes in helping children, adults, and families who have experienced trauma during childhood or adulthood, including child sexual assault. Her personal understanding of the pain and suffering endured by survivors informs her trauma-focused therapy approach.
Joanne offers a range of evidence-based therapies including gradual exposure therapy, de-sensitization therapy, solutions-focused therapy, schema therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These therapies are tailored to the client's specific needs & goals.
Additional Psychological Services
Joanne also offers assistance for adults and children with a variety of psychological issues, such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. She helps clients develop coping strategies to navigate these challenges, fostering strength and positivity during difficult times..
Client-Centered Approach
Joanne's empathetic and approachable style creates a safe and comfortable environment for clients to discuss sensitive and challenging topics, ensuring their unique needs are at the forefront of their therapy experience.
Family Counseling
Recognizing the impact of trauma on familial relationships, Joanne considers family dynamics and provides support to address issues that may arise within the family unit.
Meet Sarah
Sarah Rose is our community-based Occupational Therapist. She has been dedicated to supporting children with sensory processing challenges, behavioural challenges, emotional regulation and attention difficulties for the past 6 years. She has a very nurturing approach which allows children to be themselves and open up to her. Sarah works very closely with Joanne to provide a holistic approach to therapy for children experiencing difficulties across all environments, including school and home. Sarah supports children in their every-day environments to provide high quality therapy and implement strategies which are effective, providing valuable techniques to their care-givers and teachers.
Qualifications
B Occupational Therapy (Hons)
What is a wildflower?
Wildflowers grow atypically into something beautiful, wild and free.
Treatment Approaches
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
De-sensitisation and exposure therapy
Narrative therapy
Play therapy
Family therapy
Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy
Schema Therapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Areas of expertise
Acute Stress Disorder
Anxiety & worrying
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Bed wetting
Behavioural problems; disobedience & oppositional behaviour/defiance
Bullying
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Depression
Eating disorders
Examination/performance anxiety
Excessive temper tantrums or excessive crying
Fear & avoidance of certain situations
Insecurity & over-dependence on parent/s
Perfectionism
Phobias; anxious avoidance of places, people or activities
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Ritualised behaviours
School refusal
Self-harm
Separation anxiety
Social anxiety
Trauma-related issues
Tummy ache, enuresis, inability to relax