- Bookings can be made over the telephone during business hours.
- An information mail-out is sent to all intending users of our services prior to initial appointments with location map, charges, and an over view of general treatment practice (including confidentiality).
- Patients are phoned within 24 hours of their appointment as an appointment reminder.
- We are available to liaise with GP’s regarding assessments and treatments deemed appropriate by referring GP’s.
- Our psychologists are available for case review and discussion with referring G.P.’s or other agencies to ensure patient receive the highest quality care and referrers are confident and informed of patient progress.
- Prompt feedback (appropriate reports) is provided after treatment.
- Efficient, responsive and helpful
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Only current, evidence-based treatments are provided. Comprehensive assessments are conducted prior to intervention. Referring to Impact Health means being confident in receiving a high quality and professional service. Feedback is provided to GP’s promptly after final appointment with psychologist or after initial assessment if requested by referring GP’s. Psychologists are available for phone consultation with referring GP’s. We are available for free seminars or training with GP’s on a range of topics relevant to medicare and clinical psychology. |
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Child and Adolescent Anxiety Program |
Anxiety Program for Children and Adolescents 1 out of 10 children suffer from an anxiety disorder. Most children experience anxiety due to genetic and psychological, as well as social and environmental influences. Childhood anxiety is associated with a range of problems such as poor school performance, difficulties maintaining friendships and adult anxiety. Parents face special challenges because children with anxiety tend to be nervous, avoidant, annoying or exhausting. Anxiety also can involve physical symptoms that may include headaches, muscle tension, perspiration, restlessness, tension in the chest, and sleeplessness. Anxiety can produce confusion, memory problems, as well as distortions of reality and the meaning of events. Some will become depressed. “Cool Kids’ is a scientifically tested program designed to help children between 6 – 12 years of age with anxiety that was developed at Macquarie University. The program involves 10 group sessions for the child or adolescent and 2 parent training sessions. We also offer free a free email service to parents and adolescents for the duration of the program. Parents and adolescents are able to ask questions or get specific feedback. The email service is designed to make the program more personal and effective. The Cool Kids Program utilizes a cognitive behavioral model approach. The Cool kids program was developed by Dr Rapee at Macquarie University. This program has been extensively tested and has been shown to be highly effective (80% in some cases).The Cool Kids program involves 2 sessions with parents and 10 child/adolescent sessions. Components such as cognitive therapy, psycho-education, modeling, creative exposure, self management and contingency management are used in the Cool Kids Program. Children/adolescents are given an anxiety assessment before and after the program. The program involves: Cognitive TherapyThis involves identifying the specific beliefs and self-talk that contribute to anxiety. For instance the tendency to exaggerate potential threats is common. Psycho-educationProviding the child and parent with an introduction to the theory of anxiety and treatments of anxiety. Creative Exposure.The child is encouraged to confront feared situations and objects gradually over time using similar, real or imagined versions in conjunction with other supportive aids such as skill enhancement, positive self-talk or relaxation. Modeling. Children observe another person interacting effectively with the feared situation or object. Adaptive responding is demonstrated with guided instruction, encouragement, a perception of improvement and constructive feedback. Contingency Management. External events that follow the patient's fear/anxiety reactions are manipulated using rewards for successful interaction and bolder steps. Rewards are withheld for refusing to interact. Children are made to feel better while facing their fears. Self-Management. Subjective and physiological reactions are altered or changed by teaching the child adaptive ways to appraise an upcoming situation, adaptive ways of thinking and deep muscle relaxation techniques.Email service. Allows parents and adolescents to ask questions and get feedback between groups.Parents sometimes feel that their family is different and their problems are unique. However, many commonalities are observed in anxious children and adolescents. Similarly, parents often worry about their children mixing with other children with problems, Cool Kids is run by experienced psychologists in a controlled environment. And finally, while some participants will be initially embarrassed and uncomfortable in groups, our experienced facilitators are aware of this and this problem can be quickly overcome. For Bookings call 55 314 838. Price $ 690.00 includes - Free email service.
- Parent handbook.
- Child/adolescent handbook.
- 12 group sessions with qualified psychologist.
Courses will run once group numbers are reached. Parents should be aware groups will be held weekdays after school hours and need to commit to a 12 week program. |
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