Evidence-based treatment plans can be developed to address lifestyle factors such as:

• Weight loss

• Nutrition and diet

• Barriers to being physically active

• Sleep Issues (Insomnia)

• Smoking

• Alcohol use

• Relationships and social isolation

• Sexual concerns

• Fatigue

• Stress and burnout

• Education for self-management of chronic medical conditions

• Chronic disease prevention and reversal of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, fatty liver, osteopenia

• Lifestyle approach to complement medical treatment of all chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic lung conditions, kidney disease, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, long-COVID, just to name a few

• Motivational Interviewing, health coaching, counselling and cognitive-behavioural strategies can be used to help people make sustainable lifestyle changes

• CBT-I for insomnia (including patients without a mental health condition) can be arranged under a GP Mental Health Plan

Helping people achieve sustainable weight loss is my goal.

Completing a comprehensive lifestyle assessment is recommended before prescribing medication so we can ensure you have a plan which best suits you, your goals, your lifestyle and increase the chance of long-term success.

CBT for Insomnia is the first line treatment recommended for people with insomnia (poor sleep). It has an 80% success rate after treatment.

Sessions for CBT-I are available for all patients under a mental health care plan and you do not need to have a mental health condition to be eligible.

Lifestyle medicine is well suited for the prevention of cardiometabolic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance), high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, obesity, fatty liver and metabolic syndrome and PCOS. It can optimise the medical treatment of these conditions and in many cases, reverse the disease.

A heart disease and diabetes risk assessment can be performed with a tailored plan to reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

The gut is particularly sensitive to lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, substance use, medication and stress. These factors can affect gut motility, the gut microbiome and cause inflammation, malabsorption and functional issues. A holistic lifestyle medicine approach is used to manage gut issues such as:

• Evidence based dietary advice

• Reflux

• Functional bloating

• Cravings and overeating

• Constipation

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Coeliacs disease

• Food Intolerances

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Lifestyle approach to complement the medical treatment of inflammatory bowel conditions such as crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, GORD and barrett’s oesophagitis.

A number of women’s health issues can be addressed using an individual holistic approach including:

• Contraception and family planning

• Menstrual Issues including PMS

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Endometriosis

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Women’s sexual concerns

• Menopause

• Infertility

• Perinatal counselling

• Counselling for unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy loss, complicated pregnancy

The perimenopausal period is a transition where women’s bodies and health needs change.

Optimising quality of life physically and mentally is the goal. We can come up with a holistic, personalised management plan for your individual needs using a range of hormonal, non-hormonal and lifestyle approaches.

With a lived experience of Endometriosis, I have an in depth understanding of the complexity of managing this chronic health condition.

We can come up with a personalised plan which is best suited to you, your body and your life goals including family planning.

Sexual health issues can be addressed for men, women and the LGBTIQA+ community:

• Sexual health check

• Low libido

• Sexual dysfunction

• Counselling for people living with HIV

• Counselling about sexual concerns that impact on mental health

* Please note, I do not prescribe gender-affirming hormone treatment, however, do support the psychosocial and lifestyle aspects of care.

A number of mental health concerns can be addressed using a holistic approach including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Trauma

• Grief and loss

• Stress and burnout

• Relationship difficulties

• Psychosexual difficulties

• Anger management

• Adjustment to major illness or disability

• Adjustment to role transitions

• Parenting concerns including infant attachment

• Perinatal mental health concerns

• Pregnancy related counselling - unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy loss, complicated pregnancy

• Coping with chronic pain*

• Coping with neurodiversity*

• Safe de-prescribing of antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

*please note, I do not prescribe opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines or ADHD medications.

*I do not provide formal diagnostic assessments for ADHD or ASD.

*I do not provide services for child mental health conditions, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or work-related PTSD or WorkCover. These conditions are recommended to be treated under a psychiatrist and/or clinical psychologist who specialises in these areas.

*I do not provide services for severe substance use disorders or alcohol cessation for patients with high risk of withdrawal symptoms. These conditions are recommended to be treated under an addictions medicine specialist.

With a Mental Health Care Plan, evidence-based psychological treatment sessions can be accessed under Medicare.

Some of the modalities I use include:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• CBT for Insomnia

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy

• Interpersonal Therapy

• Narrative Therapy

• Art Therapy with a CBT approach

• Motivational Interviewing

• Non-directive Counselling

• Relaxation strategies

• Skills training:

  -      Problem solving skills and training

  -      Anger management

  -      Social skills training

  -      Communication training

  -      Stress management

  -      Parent management training