People we see
At Right Mind Psychology, we have expertise in assessing and working with the following groups of people:
– Children
– Adolescents
– Adults
– Parents and families
For before school-aged children, the work is generally undertaken with parents and carers to assist their children. For children of primary school age, we normally work with children and their carers together. Adolescents are usually apportioned more privacy in line with their growing autonomy and may be seen separate from parents and families, with carers briefed on essential issues including matters of safety. In recent years Clinical Psychologist Peter Langsford has worked extensively with parents and other carers on conscious caring. Conscious Caring requires a willingness for carers to look inside and address their own discomfort as it arises. This demands self-awareness and wisdom and is an exceptionally useful antidote to carer/parent reactivity and distress in general.
There are a myriad of stressors for young to middle-aged people. Beyond adolescence, this is a period of life that brings many challenges related to career, social connectedness, relationship changes, child-rearing, losses and grief. Most people of this age-group prefer to be seen alone, although it may be helpful on occasion to also meet with partners or other family members.
Types of problems and issues we work with
We have particular training, skills, and interest in assessing and working with the following kinds of issues and areas:
– Mood disorders and depression (adolescents and adults)
– Anxiety and stress-based disorders (all ages)
– Fears, phobias and disorders of avoidance (all ages)
– Parent and carer distress and reactivity (carers of all ages)
– School-related distress (children and adolescents)
– Relationship problems (all ages)
– Grief and loss (all ages)
– Habit disorders, impulse control disorders and OCD (all ages)
– Intrusive thoughts and emotional reactivity including anger (adolescents and adults)
– Eating and related disorders (children, adolescents and young adults)
– Adjustment problems associated with change or loss (all ages)
– Trauma history and abuse (adolescents and adults)
– Life stress (young and middle-aged adults)
– Impact of medical conditions on psychological wellbeing (all ages)
– Work-related stress and WorkCover QLD (working adults)
– Loss of meaning and existential crises (young and middle-aged adults)
Interventions and therapies we use
We employ evidence-based interventions, including the following modalities:
– Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
– Mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches to wellbeing
– Contemplative, insight and wisdom-based orientations to wellness
Tertiary clinical psychology training in Australia covers a range of therapies and interventions that fit under the broad classification of CBT. CBT is strongly evidence-based and is the preferred treatment option ahead of or in combination with medication for a number of mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. ACT is considered one of the newer ‘third wave’ therapies. It has a growing evidence-base and includes up to six subcomponents, including awareness and acceptance. Research on mindfulness and mindfulness meditation is increasing at an exponential rate and there is compelling evidence it can, by itself, be effective for change. However there is mindfulness and there is right-mindfulness and it takes awareness and wisdom to discern the two. Only when mindfulness is coupled with wisdom is change likely to be lasting.
Although Peter holds a personal preference for mindfulness, wisdom, and acceptance-based therapies, it is untrue that one type of therapy works for every person and every situation. Therefore, he is flexible and would like to be guided by your preferences when it comes to caring for your well-being.
Services we currently do not provide and persons we do not currently work with
– Medico-legal, assessment of competency and court reports
– Family law and custody and access/visitation issues
– Mediation and dispute resolution
– Chronic substance abuse
– Severe mental disorders like schizophrenia
We have particular skills that do not extend to dispute resolution, however we do work with individuals experiencing adjustment problems that arise from relationship separations or disputes. At this time, we do not provide reports to solicitors or undertake medico-legal assessments, family court work, or work with children or families where custody and access issues are of predominant importance. Persons suffering from chronic substance abuse or severe and unstable mental health conditions are best managed through public mental health services by phoning the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
If you have doubts about who we do and do not see or if you would like to seek clarification in particular instances, please contact us to discuss your needs.
If we cannot assist you, we will suggest organisations, services or other specialists who can help you.
Additional links
To learn how therapy works, click here.
For tips on finding the ‘right’ therapist, click here.
If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, click here.
If you would like to organise an appointment with Peter, click here.