STEPNEY PSYCHOLOGY

Client Directed Outcome Informed

Stepney Psychology works with adults seeking support with:

Anxiety (Generalised, Social, Specific Phobias, Panic Attack, Illness Anxiety)
Depression
Trauma/PTSD
Adult Autism
Adult ADHD
Trans, Gender Diverse, & Non-Binary (TGDNB)
Sexuality
GBTIQA+ communities
Relationship Problems
Chronic Pain Management

The approach I use aims to be Client Directed & Outcome Informed:

Tell me what you want to achieve from attending therapy.
Let me know if therapy is working for you or not and what I can do differently if therapy is not working for you.
Let me know if the therapeutic relationship that we develop is a good fit for you or not.

I will seek regular feedback from you after each session (Session Rating Scale) to assess how effective the session has been for you in helping you achieve the changes that you want to make.

Research evidence has found that reliable change from this approach can be anticipated after 6-7 sessions.

Dr Terry Evans

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind"

This quote from William James (1842-1910), referred to as the "father" of American psychology, emphasises the importance of being flexible and open to change when working on thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

ABOUT ME

I have worked as a secondary teacher in SA schools for over 20 years, mostly in country areas. As a teacher, I was very aware of the social and emotional problems that many students faced in making the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood and did what I could to support that transition.

After leaving teaching, I worked as Counsellor in community based organisations (AIDS Council of SA, Relationships Australia SA, and Cancer Council SA). I then returned to university to study psychology and work as a psychologist in private practice.

I am a gay man who 'came out' after 20 years of marriage and am personally aware of the damage caused by not being your "true self".

My aim is to provide clients with a quiet, confidential, and comfortable space where they can feel safe to share their personal stories. Therapy is about reflection and insight. I am committed to helping clients explore what changes they can make to enable them to have the kind of life they want.

I am a Member of the Australian Psychological Association (MAPS) and a member of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH).

Dr Terry Evans

MY QUALIFICATIONS

2021

MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY (CLINICAL)

University of South Australia

2018

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS)

University of South Australia

2008

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

University of South Australia

2001

MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (COUNSELLING)

University of South Australia

1992

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION

Murdoch University

1974

DIPLOMA OF TEACHING (PRIMARY)

Murray Park College of Advanced Education

ALL ABOUT THERAPY

Therapy is about working with clients to help them find ways to improve their mental health and to live a rich and meaningful life. Adverse life experiences, particularly those experienced in childhood, can lead to suffering in adulthood. As a psychologist, I am committed to helping clients find more effective ways to cope with the challenges that they face in their lives.

Dr Terry Evans

THERAPEUTIC MODEL

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach that emphasises six core psychological processes that research has found to help people change unhelpful ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. When applied in everyday life, these processes can lead to greater psychological flexibility or ability to cope with life stressors and achieve better mental health. These six processes are:

Present Moment Awareness (mindfulness).
Self as Context or that part of the self that can observe what's happening in the present moment, internally and externally.
Cognitive Defusion or the ability to separate the self from unwanted thoughts, images, & memories.
Acceptance of unwanted experiences without struggle.
Clarifying Values or knowing what's most important to you in your life.
Taking Action to live according to your values.