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Rachel Greig (Telehealth Only)

Qualifications & Affiliations

Rachel Greig is an AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist. She has completed a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) at Victoria University and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) at the University of Melbourne. Rachel is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Work History & Special Interests

Rachel has experience working with those seeking support for a range of personal difficulties. These include symptoms of anxiety and depression, relationship and interpersonal difficulties, work issues, burnout, adjustment challenges, issues around self-esteem, self-confidence, perfectionism and assertiveness, or generally feeling stuck or unfulfilled in different areas of life. As a registered Workcover provider, Rachel is also experienced in psychologically supporting patients who have had injuries in the workplace.

Rachel specialises in working psychodynamically. Rather than approaching symptoms as something to be ‘got rid of’ by applying ‘tools and strategies’ – which is often effortful and may only provide temporary relief – symptoms are approached with curiosity. By gaining understanding of their origin, their meaning and the secondary function they may serve, symptoms can be relieved in a more enduring way.

Difficulties, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, are understood to be driven by conflicting and often unconscious internal forces. These forces tend to keep us ‘stuck’ in rigid and maladaptive coping patterns and ways of relating to ourselves and others. These patterns are often long-standing, having been laid down in early developmental experiences. Change can be brought about by ‘working through’ difficulties. Working through involves gaining insight and self-understanding, processing emotions that may have been ‘pushed down’ and reconnecting with core parts of the self that may have been disconnected from in early development. By working through difficulties, symptoms tend to resolve, maladaptive coping behaviours shift as they are no longer needed, greater psychological freedom and flexibility can be achieved, and deeper connection to the self and others can be experienced in lasting ways.