Fiona Dickie

Since 2000, I’ve helped my clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. I am a registered nurse who has worked in the areas of mental health and rehabilitation. I have always advocated very strongly for my patients respecting their right to autonomy.  

 

I worked as a school counsellor in 2003, which facilitated my interest in working with primary school aged children. This resulted in me completing my Diploma in education in 2003 and working in the education sector for 3 years. During this time I ran debating groups, used art as a means to encourage children to express themselves and to develop their interpersonal skills and self confidence.

 

I am passionate about taking a proactive role in supporting people across the life span to reach their full potential. I have worked in a number of different roles including homelessness, medical social work, mental health and cross cultural practice.

 

In 2017, I decided to pursue my credentials as an accredited mental health social worker and open my own private practice in Dandenong.

 

I have well developed skills and knowledge in trauma focused therapy. I employ a number of different strategies and techniques to facilitate change, including strengths based and solution focused brief therapy.

 

I am trained in EMDR, synergetic play therapy, interplay therapy, child centred play therapy, cognitive processing therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, DBT, Narrative Therapy, EFT,  ACT and other attachment based therapies. I am a current member of EMDRRA and AASW.

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Accredited Mental Health Social Workers 

 

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are registered providers with Medicare Australia. They have been assessed on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having specialist mental health expertise.

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) is eligible to provide services through the Commonwealth-funded Better Access to Mental Health Care and Chronic Diseases Management (Enhanced Primary Care) programs. Social workers are also providers in the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program and Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) . Accredited Mental Health Social Workers have a breadth of experience in assessing and treating people who have mental health disorders, for example people with:

• Depression and other mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders

• Personality disorders

• Psychosis

• Suicidal thoughts

• Relationship problems

• Life crises

• Adjustment issues

• Trauma

• Family conflicts

 

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers help individuals to resolve their presenting psychological problems, the associated social and other environmental problems, and improve their quality of life. This may involve family as well as individual counselling, and group therapy. Social workers recognise the broader implications of an individual having a mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education.

Like other allied health professionals, such as psychologists, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers use a range of interventions in helping people with mental health disorders, including the following focused psychological strategies:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy

• Behavioural interventions

• Cognitive interventions

• Relaxation strategies

• Skills training

• Problem solving

• Anger management

• Social skills

• Stress management

• Parenting skills

• Interpersonal therapy

• Psycho-education (including Motivational Interviewing)

• Narrative therapy

• EMDR

• Play Therapy

• Peri-natal Non-directive Counselling