Kirsten originates from South Africa, where she completed her honours degree in psychology in 1995.  She worked in Human Resources at various blue-chip companies counselling, managing and recruiting staff.  Kirsten also ran the GAMIAN (Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Network) Special Educational Project on Depression and Suicide for the South African Depression & Anxiety Group (SADAG).   The 1-year project, involved training of doctors and psychiatric nurses in the early detection of depression.

 

On migrating to Australia in 2001, Kirsten continued to work in the corporate arena, running the graduate recruitment program for Accenture and training management staff in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Korea on Interviewing Methodology.  

 

In 2005 she returned to study while having her children and completed her Masters in Educational & Developmental Psychology at the University of Melbourne in 2009.  She co-published a journal article in Children Australia (vol 36 No 3) “An Exploration into the Coping Strategies of Pre-schoolers: Implications for Practice”, based on her thesis. 

 

In 2010 she opened her own practice and has been working with children, adolescents, and their families ever since. Kirsten is Ed & Dev endorsed and an AHPRA approved supervisor.  She has experience providing therapeutic support for a broad range of concerns including depression and anxiety, behavioural and social problems, parenting etc.  Therapeutic interventions include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, play therapy and animal assisted therapy.

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Kirsten now focuses on supporting those who support others, providing supervision & support to psychologists.