Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Custom
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SUZANNE CARMICHAEL

SUZANNE CARMICHAEL

Dee Why

Summary

I have over 20 years’ experience working as a Psychologist, Trauma, and demand driven fast paced environments are a good match for me.

Professional with extensive background in mental health, adept at therapeutic techniques, psychological assessment, and evidence-based interventions. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adaptable to changing needs. Known for empathy, analytical skills, and effective communication, ensuring comprehensive patient care and support.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Psychologist

IPsych Psychological Services
03.2022 - 03.2025
  • Established a strong professional network with local healthcare providers, enhancing referral partnerships and improving accessibility to mental health services for patients in need.
  • Implemented cognitive-behavioral techniques tailored towards each client''s specific symptomatology while monitoring progress throughout treatment duration.
  • Developed customized treatment plans for clients, addressing their unique psychological needs and goals.
  • Improved patient outcomes by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches in individual and group therapy sessions.
  • Expanded professional knowledge by attending conferences and participating in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in the field of psychology.
  • Conducted patient observations by monitoring behavior and documented physical health, family history and medications in mental health assessment reports.
  • Fostered a positive work environment by actively participating in team meetings, offering constructive feedback, and maintaining open lines of communication with colleagues.
  • Increased client satisfaction by maintaining a compassionate, non-judgmental environment during therapy sessions.
  • Performed research on effectiveness of interventions and proposed changes to intervention structures based on evaluation outcomes.
  • Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, de-escalating situations and connecting individuals with appropriate resources for ongoing support.
  • Identified psychological, emotional or behavioural issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques.
  • Interacted with clients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment.
  • Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns.

Workplace Advisory Psychologist/Counsellor

Assure Programs
07.2019 - 01.2022
  • Workplace assessments/coaching/wellness programs
  • Corporate presentations
  • Corporate wellbeing/health sessions
  • Build and maintain stakeholder relationships
  • Short-term counselling, which includes family or relationship counselling or brief therapy for problems such as depression or anxiety, phobias
  • Enhanced patient well-being through the integration of mindfulness-based interventions and relaxation techniques into therapeutic sessions.
  • Used therapeutic communication techniques to build rapport and guide discussion with patients.
  • Evaluated patients' goals, as well as mental and practical conditions, to develop individualized courses of treatment.
  • Interventions of covid related fear, anxiety and associated mood disturbances
  • Respond to critical workplace incidents and provide trauma related support for these events

Telephone Counsellor

Medibank Private
04.2019 - 03.2020
  • Conduct assessment and intake processes, including risk and needs assessment, to provide relevant information and determine appropriate interventions or referral pathways based on client presentation and their individual needs
  • Applying theoretical knowledge of trauma and/or crisis interventions to the clients, including the impact of the trauma, and coping strategies accessed by the client, as part of the counselling process
  • Psychoeducation and suicide safety planning
  • Providing Information and referrals

Trauma Psychologist

Benestar
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Attended critical incidents and conducting of clinical assessments, triage, treatment, counselling and management support
  • Case Management of employees returning to work after critical incidents
  • Provided general counselling (sessional work for EAP Provider): Provided treatment for a range of conditions including addictions, anxiety, depression, relationship discord, bullying and harassment and other general psychological conditions

Psychologist Full time

Whitsunday Psychology Private Practise
06.2014 - 11.2017
  • Founded and built a successful private practise to maximum capacity. Developed excellent community relationships with doctors, community members and Whitsunday council. I was the primary responder for all trauma related incidents within this region and have also attended multiple critical incidents as a contractor through Gryphon Psychology.
  • Provided individual psychotherapy for adolescents and adults in the treatment of bullying, social issues, addiction, family breakdown and dual diagnosed conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Modalities include CBT, Solution Focused, DBT and ACT.
  • After recognising a significant lack of educational programs in this region I designed and delivered one day workshops which included: “Anxiety Boot camp”, “Curb your Drinking” and “Beating the Blues”, “LIFE SKILLS FOR adolescents and young people”. These were booked out an ran multiple times (workshop material available on request). Group therapy was conducted over multiple weeks.
  • Delivered Adhoc trauma work and consultations for mining sites
  • Provided advice and guidance to the Whitsunday Mayor in relation to the ICE epidemic and other concerns within the local community

Psychologist Part Time

The Hills Clinic
01.2014 - 06.2014
  • Delivered Health services to adults and adolescent inpatients experiencing a range of addiction and Mental Health Conditions
  • Worked within the adolescent only dedicated Unit “Ya@theloft”
  • Provided appropriate follow-up support for outpatients in “Day Programs”
  • Conducted group training sessions to treat Mood Disorders , Addictions and PTSD
  • Planned and delivered group psycho education sessions for parents of adolescents on topics related to recovery from Mental Illness, Addictions and PTSD
  • Provided support and group sessions for family members on addictions and suffering from a mental illness

Private Practice

iPsych Psychological Services
01.2011 - 01.2014
  • Company Overview: Northwest Business Park, Baulkham Hills
  • Treatment of PTSD and comorbid conditions including anxiety and depression, primarily using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Applied a variety of psychological methods and techniques in screening, assessment and evaluation of clients identified as substance abusers/chemically dependent

Trauma Psychologist Full Time

Davidson Trahaire Corpsych
12.2008 - 01.2014
  • Managed critical incidents, including state-wide coordination for afterhours support services. Supervise, direct and guide Psychologists in the field attending to trauma events across NSW, ensure operational requirements of each organisation are followed
  • Frequent travel to remote and regional areas of NSW including Christmas Island Detention Centre
  • Provided critical incident support for a range of organisations including NSW Police, NSW Fire, NSW Ambulance, NSW Department of Health, NSW Department of Education and range of other multinational companies eg (Telstra, Boral, Toyota, Price Waterhouse).This required a strong ability to build collaboration by routinely interfacing with senior members of these organisations and providing expert guidance on how to support their staff in crisis
  • Attended critical incidents and conducting of clinical assessments, triage, treatment, counselling and management support
  • Conducted group sessions on trauma, addictions, grief and loss, PTSD and various other topics
  • Drug and alcohol fitness and fitness for work assessments, providing feedback to managers on employee suitability
  • Case Management of employees returning to work after critical incidents
  • Onsite placement at Villawood and Curtin Detention centres providing group and one on one counselling s
  • Provided general counselling (sessional work for EAP Provider): Provided treatment for a range of conditions including addictions, anxiety, depression, relationship discord, bullying and harassment and other general psychological conditions

Various Positions: Helpline Manager (12months) Team Leader(3years) and Child Protection Caseworker(2years)

Department of Human Services
01.2004 - 01.2008
  • Escalation and management of critical cases, child deaths. Liaise with ombudsman in managing high profile cases, prepare media briefs
  • Provided expert opinion and advice to ombudsman and director on complex child protection cases
  • Conducted staff debriefings, critical incident stress management, manage staff wellbeing, and provide professional supervision
  • Managed and supervise Team of 6 Team Leaders (each with 12 Caseworkers), ensure adherence to KPI’s, mentor and coaching when required
  • Provided professional supervision using solution focused model
  • Conducted performance reviews and implement performance management plans when required

Education

Post Grad Diploma - Psychology Coaching

University of Sydney
01.2007

Post Grad Diploma - Psychology

University of Western Sydney
01.2003

Bachelor of Social Science - Psychology and Sociology

University of New England
01.2001

Masters Coursework Eqv - Psychology

College of Professional Psychological PRactise
01-2004

Skills

  • Emotional awareness
  • Analytical thinking
  • Substance abuse counselling
  • Psychological assessment
  • Behavior analysis
  • Adult psychology
  • Cognitive restructuring
  • Psychotherapy techniques
  • Empathy development
  • Health evaluation skills
  • Treatment implementation
  • Group therapy
  • Behavior observation

Affiliations

Full registration as a psychologist with AHPRA, ABN, Medicare provider number and Professional Indemnity Insurance

Timeline

Psychologist

IPsych Psychological Services
03.2022 - 03.2025

Workplace Advisory Psychologist/Counsellor

Assure Programs
07.2019 - 01.2022

Telephone Counsellor

Medibank Private
04.2019 - 03.2020

Trauma Psychologist

Benestar
01.2017 - 01.2018

Psychologist Full time

Whitsunday Psychology Private Practise
06.2014 - 11.2017

Psychologist Part Time

The Hills Clinic
01.2014 - 06.2014

Private Practice

iPsych Psychological Services
01.2011 - 01.2014

Trauma Psychologist Full Time

Davidson Trahaire Corpsych
12.2008 - 01.2014

Various Positions: Helpline Manager (12months) Team Leader(3years) and Child Protection Caseworker(2years)

Department of Human Services
01.2004 - 01.2008

Post Grad Diploma - Psychology

University of Western Sydney

Bachelor of Social Science - Psychology and Sociology

University of New England

Post Grad Diploma - Psychology Coaching

University of Sydney

Masters Coursework Eqv - Psychology

College of Professional Psychological PRactise

Custom

  • 2024 Client Retention Training
  • 2024 Somatic Healing and Mindfulness
  • 2024 IFS Advanced Group Supervision
  • 2023 Internal Family Systems, Introduction to techniques
  • 2020 “Approaches to addiction “Carolyn Myss
  • 2020 SIRA NSW Workers Compensation
  • 2019 “Responding to Domestic Violence, Medibank Private
  • 2019 “Psychological First Aid”, Medibank Private
  • 2019 “Trauma based Counselling Practise, Medibank Private
  • 2016 Smart Recovery Facilitator Training
  • 2013 Drug and Alcohol fitness for work training (Davidson Trahaire Corpsych)
  • 2013 Dr John Briere, Practical Applications in the Treatment of trauma
  • 2011 Psychological Research Convention on Traumatic Stress
  • 2012 Australian Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health-Trauma Focused Therapy, Working with Adults
  • 2010 Dr Russ Harris, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, part 1
  • 2010 Engaging in Effective Brief Contact or Single-session Grief and Bereavement Support (Australian centre for grief and bereavement support)
  • 2010 Essential considerations in the treatment of sudden traumatic loss
  • 2009 Psychological First Aid for Mental health professionals
  • 2009 Post Drug High-Working with Drugs (Jost Sauer)
  • 2009 24 hour chi cycle Healing (Jost Sauer)
  • 2009- To present: weekly peer supervision, monthly one on one supervision

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SUZANNE CARMICHAEL