Our Services
Shelby is a psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She has completed a Master of Psychology (Clinical) and is currently completing her Clinical Psychology registrar program. Shelby is a registered Medicare provider.
“I strongly believe in working from an inclusive, person-centred, and neurodiversity affirming approach; all individuals are welcomed and valued. It is important to me that people have a positive experience when they come to see me, and that they leave each session feeling heard and validated. I enjoy working with all people (of all ages!), but am especially passionate about neurodiversity and working with neurodivergent individuals (those who identify as autistic, ADHD, PDA, Tourette’s etc.). I am able to offer a range of evidence-based therapies (cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy etc.), but often incorporate these practices within an animal- and equine-assisted therapy model. I am very lucky to work alongside a range of wonderful animals, including my therapy dogs Napoleon and Pavlov (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels), as well as horses, goats, alpacas, cats, guinea pigs, rats, and other animals.”
Animals are an invaluable resource in therapy, offering physiological regulation, modelling grounding and mindfulness, and providing opportunities for connection in a safe and non-judgemental space. Animal-assisted therapy is a wonderful alternative for those who have struggled with traditional talk-therapies, or are looking for something different than room-based therapy.
Sessions are offered at Mullum Road Clinic farm, a 20-acre farm in Panton Hill (complete with horses, donkeys, goats and alpacas!) and at Paws and Claws Psychology in St Andrews, which offers a unique space in a natural bush setting surrounded by local flora and fauna.
Shelby has specialised training in Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and works with individuals with tics and Tourette’s to learn strategies to manage their vocal and motor tics. Shelby is currently undergoing a three-year training course with Somatic Experiencing Australia to be able to offer an alternative, body-awareness therapy aimed at treating trauma and stressor related disorders like PTSD. Shelby also enjoys working with individuals with dog phobias, helping them to overcome their fears with the support of some very gentle therapy dogs (co-therapists!).
Client Groups
- Children
- Adolescents
- Young Adults
- Adults
Service Specialties
- Autism
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Tics/Tourette’s
- Skin Picking (Excoriation Disorder)
- Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)
- Phobias
- Depression
- Anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Therapy Specialties
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT)
- Mindfulness