Carolyn Innes Psychology
Individual Therapy for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Individual Therapy
We offer in-person and online sessions in the Hills District or Hornsby Shire.
Children and Adolescents
At Carolyn Innes Psychology, we understand that children and adolescents think and communicate differently than adults, adapting our therapeutic techniques to their level of understanding. This ensures that therapy is engaging, meaningful and effective for their stage of development.
We recognise the important role that families play in a child’s well-being and involve parents or caregivers in the therapeutic process to provide a holistic support system. This collaboration helps reinforce positive changes outside of the therapy session.
We are dedicated to helping you and your child or adolescent find their way through the toughest moment. We bring research and over 20 years of working with families to create solutions for you and your family.
Adults
We offer individual therapy services for adults for a range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder. Therapeutic support for those navigating life changes and transitions such as managing stress or changes in family dynamics.
Have you ever experienced butterflies in your stomach when you feel anxious or body aches when you are under pressure or feel stressed?
Mental health cannot be isolated from physical health, nor from our environments. We focus on the interaction between your mind-body connection and your environment. We understand each individual is a complex and interconnected being and that addressing mental health takes a holistic approach.
Trauma
At Carolyn Innes Psychology, we have an interest in supporting people who have experienced trauma.
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Trauma can result from a single event such as a car accident or witnessing a violent crime as well as from repetitive exposure to traumatic incidents such as those faced by first responders.
Trauma can also arise from prolonged exposure to various types of severe trauma. This often occurs within the context of interpersonal or caregiving relationships.
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'Big T' Trauma
This refers to significant, life-altering events that pose a serious threat to a person's safety, or well-being such as natural disasters, severe accidents, violent assault, or the sudden loss of a loved one. These experience often lead to intense emotional distress and can have a lasting impact on a person's mental health. Other Big T Traumas include:Physical or sexual assault
Severe car accidents
Military combat or exposure to war
Life-threatening illnesses or surgeries
Witnessing a violent crime or traumatic event
Serious injury of a loved one
Act of terrorism or mass violence
Childhood / development abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual)
Domestic violence
'Little t' Trauma
This includes less severe but still distressing experiences that may not involve direct threats to one's safety, but still cause emotional pain. Little t trauma may involve ongoing stress at work, relationship conflicts, minor accidents, or feeling rejected or excluded. Whilst these events might seem smaller in scale, they can accumulate over time and impact mental health, especially if left unaddressed. Other little t traumas include:Chronic stress from work or school
Familial conflict and friendships breakups
Financial difficulties or job insecurity
Feeling excluded, rejected, or ridiculed
Moving to a new place or changing school
Verbal criticism or negative feedback
Repeated feelings of disappointment or failure
Unresolved grief from a non-life-threatening event e.g., losing a pet
Significant changes in routine or lifestyle adjustments
About Carolyn
Carolyn is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and Associate Member of EMDR Association of Australia.
Carolyn completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in psychology at Western Sydney University. Prior to working as a psychologist, Carolyn facilitated the safety, welfare, and well-being of children, adolescents, and families after completing her studies in Social Science (Welfare).
Carolyn has a particular interest in working with individuals who have experienced a stressful life or traumatic event. She has extensive experience supporting individuals who have experienced sexual assault and developmental trauma.
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.”
— William James
Approach
Carolyn believes in creating a safe and secure environment for her clients, with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. Carolyn believes that therapy is a collaborative process, where she works together with her clients to identify unhelpful patterns of behaviours so meaningful changes can be made in their lives.
Carolyn takes a holistic approach to therapy by working with her clients to expand their overall well-being by making connections between the mind, body, and environment.
She uses evidence-based practices tailored to her clients need, and incorporates Attachment-Based Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing.
Therapy Modalities
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CBT is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps individuals understand the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. By identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, CBT empowers individuals to develop alternative ways of thinking and responding to difficult situations. It is an evidence-based treatment that is effective for a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress.
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ACT is a mindfulness-based approach that encourages individuals to accept difficult emotions and thoughts rather than struggle with them. By focusing on what truly matters and committing to value-driven actions, ACT helps clients build psychological flexibility and live a more meaningful life. It is an evidenced-based therapy that is effective for managing anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
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EMDR is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. By using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR allows the brain to reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact. An evidenced-based treatment for treating trauma, PTSD, and anxiety.
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TF-CBT is a specialised form of cognitive behavioural therapy designed to help individuals, especially children and adolescents, overcome the effects of traumatic experiences. TF-CBT combines traditional CBT techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions to address the emotional and psychological impact of trauma. The therapy focuses on processing traumatic memories, reducing trauma-related symptoms like anxiety and depression, and developing healthy coping strategies. By providing a safe and supportive environment, TF-CBT empowers clients to heal from trauma and build resilience for a healthier future.
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DBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness practices. It focuses on building skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By balancing acceptance and change, DBT empowers clients to navigate emotional challenges more effectively and improve their relationships.
Fees & Rebates
Rebates may be available from Medicare and most Private Health funds.
The Australian Psychological Society recommend $311 for a 46-60 minute consultation. At Carolyn Innes Psychology, our fees are significantly below the APS recommendations.
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Under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for psychological services with a referral from your general practitioner (GP). This rebate, of $96.65 per session can cover up to 10 sessions per calendar year. The rebate can be higher if, towards the end of the year you have exceeded you Medicare Safety Net. The GP should provide you with a referral letter and a Mental Health Care Plan.
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You may be able to claim rebates for psychological services through your Private Health Fund. Please check with your insurer to confirm your level of cover and rebate amount.
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Psychological services is available for individuals with approved WorkCover claims. Once your claim is accepted, your session may be funded by WorkCover. Please ensure you provide your WorkCover claim details before your initial session to arrange finding approval.
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If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident and have sustained psychological injuries, you may be eligible for treatment funded under CTP. With an approved CTP claim, your psychological sessions can be covered by your insurer. Please provide your claim number and insurer details prior to your first appointment so we can coordinate the necessary approvals and billing arrangements.
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We support NDIS participants who are either self-managed or plan-managed only.
Policies
At Carolyn Innes Psychology, we are committed to providing support to all our clients. To ensure that each client benefits from their therapy, we have the following policies:
Cancellation Fees
We understand that life can be unpredictable, but late cancellations or non-attendance at sessions affect more than just your therapy.
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Delay or missed session disrupt your process and the momentum of your therapy. It may prolong the times it takes to achieve your therapeutic goals.
Psychologists are invested in your well-being not only during sessions but before and after too. They dedicate time to preparing for your therapy by reviewing your case, planning tailored interventions, and reviewing the latest research. After your session, they reflect on the progress made and identify additional resources or supports that could be beneficial for your continued growth. This behind-the-scenes work is essential to ensuring you receive the most effective and personalised care.
Each appointment time is valuable and could be used by another client who may be in urgent needs of care. By not attending or giving sufficient notice you are inadvertently delaying someone else’s progress.
To avoid a cancellation fee, we request you provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Late Attendance
If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time to ensure fairness for other clients. Full fees will still apply. For significant delays, the session may need to be rescheduled, with a cancellation fee applied.
“I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.”
— Abraham Maslow
Emergency & Crisis Support
At Carolyn Innes Psychology, we are unable to offer crisis or emergency services.
If you require immediate mental health assistance you can contact the following services:
Your General Practitioner
Beyond Blue: Offers a free telephone and online counselling service available 24/7 Australia-wide. Phone 1300 22 4636 or chat online with a counsellor via the website.
Lifeline: National charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Phone 13 11 14 or visit the website to chat with a counsellor online.
Suicide Callback Service: Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide. Phone 1300 659 467 or visit the website.
Contact
If you would like to find out more information regarding the services that Carolyn Innes Psychology provides or would like to book for therapy appointment, please complete the contact form. Alternatively, you can email the practice.
Email
admin@carolyninnespsychology.com.au
Phone
0436 320 009
Location
The Hills District and Hornsby Shire, Sydney NSW
Practice Days
In-person and online (Telehealth) appointments are offered from Monday to Saturday.
Carolyn Innes Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, including the lands of the Darug people and the Guringai people. I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising their enduring connection to these lands, waters, and communities.
We are committed to a neuroaffirming approach that respects and values neurodiversity and believe that neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other variations in cognitive functioning are natural and valuable aspects of human diversity, rather than deficits to be 'fixed.' At Carolyn Innes Psychology, the practice aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment that honours each individual's unique strengths and challenges, promoting well-being and acceptance for all.
At Carolyn Innes Psychology we are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. We respect and celebrate all identities, including diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. The practice is committed to providing compassionate care that recognizes the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people while promoting acceptance, understanding, and equality for everyone.