Worldview Psychology: Telehealth (National & Hunter Region) F2F in Hamilton, Newcastle

Clinical Psychologist, Geoff Bowser, offers Face to Face sessions to clients in the Newcastle region on Wednesdays & Thursdays at Offices on Hudson, 8 Hudson St, Hamilton. Telehealth services to clients Australia-wide, including the Hunter Region, are predominantly offered on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays but can also be arranged for Wednesdays & Thursdays. For Telehealth use of video connection is preferred however voice only telephone connection can be used where video is not available. Telehealth can be helpful in overcoming access barriers due to distance or juggling with other life commitments (such as work, child rearing or caring for others), or even in coping with mental health problems themselves. Telehealth can be accessed from your own couch, backyard, verandah, workplace or even your car (when safely parked), indeed wherever you can find a private space. Please note: Telehealth services are only offered where it is clinically appropriate and safe to do so.

Geoff’s approach to therapy is to acknowledge neurodiversity, recognizing the unique lived experience of each individual. This approach is particularly sensitive to those who may be described as neurodivergent (whether symptoms have been diagnosed or remain undiagnosed), acknowledging that such individuals may have experienced marginalization and/or been misunderstood or had their symptoms dismissed due to stereotyping. Geoff acknowledges that it is difficult striving to be inclusive in that individuals approach issues differently based on their lived experience. Some may not even like the term neurodivergent. Many more will have experienced invalidating comments such as “you don’t look autistic”; “You can’t be autistic because you are too….”; “you don’t have ADHD, it’s just a fad!” Some will prefer to speak of identity first: “I’m autistic” or “I’m an ADHDer”. Others will prefer to be known first as a person who might be autistic or have ADHD. More broadly, Geoff seeks to work with clients to understand their symptoms as part of their unique life experience rather than focus on applying diagnostic labels. However it is recognized that diagnostic labels may sometimes need to be used to guide appropriate treatment, including when referral to other clinicians is indicated and/or to gain access to services in the community. Some clients may even find that a diagnosis helps them to have an understanding of their experience and leads them to develop more self compassion, including acknowledging their strengths. Some clients will also find a diagnosis validates the somewhat exhausting efforts a person goes to in seeking to cope with a world that is difficult for them to negotiate: e.g. an autistic person can find navigating a world designed for and by non-autistic people emotionally overwhelming; a person experiencing severe anxiety can be isolated by comments such as “get over it” in a world where resilience is prized. Geoff seeks to acknowledge strengths within individuals’ lived experience not just focus on problems and perceived deficits. Geoff also seeks to be sensitive to each client’s values and beliefs and explore the extent to which their lives integrate those values and beliefs. This might include exploring how they may find pursuing those values and beliefs challenging or how, when struggling in daily life, they may prompt them to adopt negative views of self. Such discussions could even lead to exploring whether all one’s stated values and beliefs are consistent with one another.

Geoff works with clients from adolescence to older adulthood. He has a particular interest in assisting people experiencing anxiety, mood problems, ADHD, sleep problems or occupational stress as well as those encountering mental health issues in the context of medical illness. Geoff also provides EAP counselling and is approved to provide off-base treatment for military personnel as well as counselling for former serving personnel. Geoff is a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. He is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA), the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) and the World Sleep Society.
Geoff has been providing clinical psychology services in Newcastle since 2015. His previous practice as a psychologist included working in a university clinic in north Queensland, at an outer-urban youth mental health service and in the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry service at a major Sydney public hospital. During his academic studies in psychology in NSW and Queensland, Geoff completed research projects firstly on eating disorders and subsequently on the impact of occupational stress on school educators. Geoff had an extensive career in urban, regional and rural schools, including teaching, leadership, leading cross cultural exchanges in Asia and the Pacific and developing a whole-school well-being program. He commenced studying psychology twenty four years ago, completing most of his psychology training whilst still working in the school education sector.
Predominantly Geoff uses cognitive and behavioural therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. In a collaborative approach with clients he will draw on other appropriate strategies, including mindfulness and more psychodynamic approaches.

Consultation Fee for a standard consultation of between 50 and 60 minutes is $219. Where a client has a compliant referral from a GP under the Better Access Scheme (known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan), a Medicare rebate of $141.85 is available. Bulk Billing is available for those on full pension, Job Seeker or DSP and to full-time students. Concessions for those in severe financial difficulty or on a low income are considered on a case-by-case basis, including the possibility of bulk billing. A copy of a client’s referral needs to be seen prior to an appointment being offered in order to ensure that Geoff can offer appropriate treatment.

Phone: 0439 807 802 (sms preferred) Fax: 02 3814 8624

Email: Geoff.Bowser@worldviewpsychology.au

Website still being refined

Geoffrey John Bowser ABN 93 197 708 353 T/A Worldview Psychology