Our Clinicians

Compassionate Caring Knowledgable

We are a family run practice owned run and operated in Ballarat, Victoria.

Hello

My name is Graham Dawes

(BArts Psych Hons) Assoc MAPS

I've been a Registered Psychologist for over 17 years in the public, private and forensic sectors in and around Ballarat and Western Victoria.

My focus is seeing the person rather than the label: your strengths and challenges: your history, interests, and struggles. Ultimately, my role is to help you discover the past and current reasons behind patterns of thinking and behaviour - what works and what doesn't, and ultimately why it started in the first place.

I enjoy working with clients from age 14 onwards and specialise in Men's Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Couple's Counselling and working with emergency services personnel including Defence Force Veterans, current and former VICPOL, Ambulance Victoria, ESTA, and Fire Services members.

I have worked with children, adolescents and adults experiencing a diverse range of mental health issues., from trauma, life changes, stress, anger management, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, OCD and personality disorders.

I specialise in working with Neurodiverse clients - in particular Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) including assessment and ways to assist people develop better self esteem, relationships, work-life balance, organisational routines for successful outcomes in work, home and study.

I am extensively trained and highly experienced in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, Mindfulness, Parenting and Schema Therapy, but above all I pride myself on being a professional, knowledgeable, easy-to-talk to, genuine guy.

Outside of psychology I enjoy spending time in our garden and orchard, travelling, camping, Rugby Union and Muay Thai Martial Arts

Hi

My name is Emma Dawes

(B Comms Grad Dip Psych

B Psych Sci (Hons))

I am a Provisional Psychologist and am registered with AHPRA, and AAPi.

I work with primarily with parents, children and teenagers - though I see clients of all ages.

I specialise in working with neurodiverse children and adults - both pre- and post-assessment to develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion and improved connectedness, fulfilment and joy.

Whether you are struggling with parental stress, feeling overwhelmed, co-parenting, or having difficulty with your child's big emotions, tantrums, meltdowns, or school refusal, my approach is to provide a safe, welcoming, compassionate and non judgemental space for you to unpack and find a way forward.

Perhaps you have worries about your child's emotional, psychological or academic development, or you've been referred for psychology by a GP, Paediatrician, Child and Maternal Health Nurse, Kinder Teacher or School Wellbeing Leader.

Sessions allow you to develop a sense of safety, comfort and security while being able to talk about the issues at hand, and work towards life changing solutions.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my 3 children, baking and preserve-making, caring for our labradors, gardening, and travelling.

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