Amanda Robb
Amanda is a psychotherapist and counsellor who facilitates a holistic approach to her practice. Amanda works with individuals, couples and families, from children, to adolescents and adults. With the belief every human has the potential to change and heal their lives, her intention as a therapist is to create a safe and trusting space for her clients to explore their difficulties through her support. Amanda also understands each individuals journey to be unique: therefore she utilises a broad range of therapeutic tools and modalities such as Psychodynamic, CBT, Gestalt, and Experiential. Amanda also works with people who may be experiencing drug and alcohol addictions, relationship or behavioural problems due to family conditioning or mental illness. Issues that may come into therapy can be; depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, grief and loss, relationship concerns, anger management, and negative thinking around self esteem and self worth. Amanda is currently finishing her Masters in Sexual Health and Sexology at The University of Sydney to extend her therapeutic practice.
Amanda also works as a specialised sexual assault counsellor, working in the field of sexual violence. Amanda strongly believes in applying a feministic approach, whilst working with anyone (children & adults) that has been impacted by sexual violence and utilises a compassionate recovery model in her counselling process.
Supporting Children and Adolescence is JUST as important.
Childhood and adolescence is a time for young minds to experience mental and emotional growth, learning and social techniques. It is the age of developing relationship skills amongst school peers and teachers, as well as siblings and family members. For many, the ability to maintain social friendships also increases there levels of self esteem, confidence and early differentiation of self. However, there are many children and adolescents who unfortunately fall through the gaps, and endure levels of anxiety, childhood depression, and social conflicts. These presenting issues can be caused by:
· Immense peer pressure to do with body image and unrealistic body shape expectations.
· Bullying and cyber-bullying which leads to exclusion of friends, and social anxieties.
· Conflict and difficulties between parent-child or sibling relationships.
· Trauma within the family system such as; divorce, death, mental or emotional illness or medical condition of a family member, and financial strains. (It is important to remember children are influenced by what is happening within the family that may not be directly related to them!)
· Anxiety and stress associated with exams, assessments, public speaking and presenting.
· Being introduced to experimental risk-taking behaviours such as drugs and alcohol.
· The impact sexualisation and celebrity behaviour within the media can have on an influential adolescent.
· Becoming in touch with our sexuality and the implications of intimate relationships.
· The emotional, mental and physical hardship of differentiating from a child to a teenager. We as adults need to remember, it is not easy!
Therapeutic approaches most beneficial to counselling children and adolescent all emphasise the relationship between the therapist and client. If the rapport is founded on trust, authenticity and non-judgement, then the client will feel most comfortable to make and sustain change, and express their emotional troubles.
As a professional psychotherapist and counsellor, I believe a holistic, approach is fundamental to working with adolescents. Having worked as a school counsellor, children impacted by sexual violence and with youth off the streets over the years, I feel a broad range of therapeutic tools and modalities, especially psycho-education as being essential to accommodate each individual client’s journey.
The journey from early adolescence to early adulthood can be a tumultuous one and I hope to both nurture and support students during this transitional period. If you feel your child is experiencing any emotional or behavioural difficulties, and may benefit from my practice, please touch base so we can discuss potential support plans for your child.
links are:
Australian Governmet Binge Drinking Campain targeted for teenagers
Useful Resource on child bullying
How Adolescence are impacted by Sexualisation in the media
Amanda specialises in these therapies:
- Counselling
- CBT
- Experiential
- Gestalt
- Psychotherapy
- Psychodynamic