What We Offer
We see adults who are challenged by a wide rande of psychological difficulies.
Essential Self Psychology provides confidential assessment and therapeutic services to adults who are ready to take personal responsibility, with our support, to make the changes which enable them to regain their wellbeing, balance, and a flourishing sense of self . We are holistic, strength-based, and individualize our service. We support you to access your wise and hopeful self and to build resilence in the face of suffering, personal crisis and sometimes despair. Essentially we can assist you with practical and well researched tools to identify, understand and manage the impact of stressors, negotiate life transitions, deal with long standing traumatic experience, interpersonal problems and/or struggles with your mental health issues.
We help you to build courage and empower you to take the next step to reclaim and heal. You may need just a few consultations or for deeper or long standing issues, a longer number of sessions.
Our Approach
Our approach is relational, compassionate and non judgemental. Conversations are 'purposeful'. We work collaboratively, and offer a confidential, informed and transparent service. We teach you. You need ownership of your psychological wellbeing, know that you are 'heard', feel safe, be able to choose the treatments options that you feel may help and establish a pace that will work for you. Time is taken to address your immediate issues but also to understand any underlying concerns. Our approach is trauma informed; practical strategies are grounded in the latest research and neuroscience. We spend time making sure that with any treatment plan we creatively 'meet' you. We are always engaged in reviewing any obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your potential. We work towards a true and calming alignment within you. We examine and gently challenge unhelpful beliefs and coping mechanisms, work through emotions, and to establish new self -affirming practices.
Essential Self Psychology is building a holistic service, and will, when indicated, refer and integrate medical, naturopathic and nutritional services, creative and physical therapies such as massage and yoga, and spiritual direction into your treatment plan
About Kaaren
Having lived in the regional area for the last five years, Kaaren established Essential Self Psychology in Ballarat in 2017. Kaaren orginally trained and worked as a clinical social worker which included experience in the Child Psychiatry, couple counselling, Family Therapy and work in tertiary teaching and private practice. Becoming a registered psychologist in 1991 Kaaren subsequently ran a private practice In inner-city Melbourne for over 25 years whilst extending her professional development, specializing in providing depth psychotherapeutic services to individuals experiencing the impact of complex childhood trauma on their current functioning and sense of self. She has also provided agency based professional supervision to psychologists and counsellors in community health services. She is fully registered with the AHPRA and a full member of the Australian Psychological Society. She now provides psychological services to Adults and to Health Professionals and is continuing to train and up-skill in recent developments in trauma treatment. She is a meditation practioner and a trained sound healer. She studies the Wisdom teachings and the psychology of character development. She has a research and clinical interest in the application of vocal expression and toning for trauma informed interventions to access states of relaxation,presence and expanded awareness. She occasionally runs workshops in this field. She loves her work and truly wants the highest and best outcome for anyone who seeks her services, often going the extra mile to ensure the she has offered the best psychological support.
Make An Appointment
Currently Essential Self Psychology offers appointments at Lake Gardens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which is soon to be expanded.
You can self-refer or you can be referred by your Doctor. Fees are $!70 per one hour session or $ 240 for an extended consultation of 90 minutes.
Kaaren is a registered provider of psychological services under a GP Mental Health Care Plan which enables you to claim $84.80 rebate per session for a maximum of 10 sessions per calender year. If you have extras through your health fund you can also claim for any additional sessions.
Undertaking psychological work with professional support is your investment in your own personal and relational wellbeing. It can be deeply transformative and energize changes which unfold a resourced and hopeful future.
If you call Kaaren on the number below or email, your call will be returned within 24 hours or sooner. Kaaren will then make a time to speak with you briefly on the phone before making an appointment with you.
Our consulting office is in peaceful surroundings in 'The Arches' with a cafe next door and a park opposite
Essential Self Psychology acknowleges the Traditional Owners of the land upon which were are priviledged to offer our services.
Call Kaaren
0432 248 171
