Concerns We
Work With

Depression can affect mood, motivation, sleep, appetite, concentration, energy and a person’s sense of hope or self-worth. Some people experience persistent sadness, while others feel numb, irritable, withdrawn or overwhelmed by everyday tasks.

Psychological therapy can help people understand the patterns that may be contributing to depression and develop practical strategies to support mood, routine, relationships and wellbeing. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches and interpersonal therapy, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Depression and Mood page.

Anxiety can affect thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviour. Some people experience constant worry, panic, social anxiety, phobias, avoidance, racing thoughts, sleep difficulties or a persistent sense of threat.

Therapy can help people better understand their anxiety, identify patterns that keep it going and develop strategies to manage worry, fear and avoidance. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches and exposure-based therapies, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, explore our anxiety-related pages, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Worry, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia pages.

Eating disorders can affect a person’s relationship with food, eating, body image, weight, shape and self-worth. They may involve restriction, binge eating, purging, compulsive exercise, distress around eating, or feeling preoccupied with body image and control.

Therapy can help people understand the patterns that keep eating disorder symptoms going and develop safer, more flexible ways of relating to food, emotions and their body. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as CBT-E, MANTRA, DBT-informed therapy and Family-Based Treatment for young people, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Eating Disorders page

Trauma can affect people in many different ways. Some people experience post-traumatic stress symptoms after a frightening, overwhelming or distressing event, including intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, anxiety, irritability or changes in mood and relationships.

Therapy can help people understand trauma responses, develop strategies for managing distress and, when appropriate, process traumatic memories in a safe and structured way. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based trauma-focused therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused CBT, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Trauma and PTSD page.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can involve intrusive thoughts, images, urges or doubts, along with repetitive behaviours or mental rituals used to reduce distress or prevent something feared from happening. OCD can be time-consuming and may affect work, study, relationships and daily life.

Common experiences can include fears about contamination, harm, order or symmetry, checking, reassurance seeking, counting, cleaning, mental rituals, or repeated attempts to feel certain that something is “safe” or “just right.”

Therapy can help people understand the cycle of obsessions and compulsions and gradually develop new ways of responding to intrusive thoughts and anxiety. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other supportive strategies, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our OCD page.

Stress and burnout can affect mood, energy, sleep, concentration, motivation and physical wellbeing. Some people feel constantly on edge or overwhelmed, while others feel emotionally exhausted, detached, irritable or unable to recover despite rest.

Therapy can help people understand the sources of stress, recognise patterns that contribute to burnout and develop more sustainable ways of coping. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches and practical stress management strategies, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Stress and Burnout page.

Body image concerns can involve distressing thoughts and feelings about appearance, weight, shape or specific parts of the body. Body dysmorphia involves a more persistent and distressing preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance, which may lead to checking, reassurance seeking, avoidance or grooming rituals.

Therapy can help people understand the patterns that maintain body image distress and develop a more compassionate and flexible relationship with their body. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness-based approaches and self-compassion strategies, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Body Image Concerns and Body Dysmorphia page.

Perfectionism, people-pleasing and procrastination can often overlap. A person may set very high standards, fear making mistakes, struggle to say no, avoid conflict, delay tasks or feel stuck in cycles of self-criticism and pressure.

These patterns can affect mood, confidence, relationships, study, work and daily life. While they may develop as ways of coping or staying safe, they can become exhausting and difficult to maintain over time.

Therapy can help people understand the beliefs and patterns that keep perfectionism, people-pleasing or procrastination going. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and self-compassion strategies, depending on the client’s needs.

Relationship and interpersonal difficulties can affect friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, work relationships and a person’s sense of connection with others. Common concerns may include communication difficulties, conflict, trust issues, people-pleasing, boundary difficulties, loneliness or feeling misunderstood.

Therapy can help people better understand relationship patterns, communicate more clearly, set healthier boundaries and respond to conflict or disconnection in more helpful ways. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, interpersonal therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, depending on the client’s needs.

Low self-esteem can involve persistent self-doubt, self-criticism, shame or a sense of not being “good enough.” It can affect mood, relationships, work, study, confidence and willingness to try new things.

Therapy can help people understand where low self-esteem patterns come from and how they are maintained. Psychologists at VPC may support clients to notice self-critical thoughts, build self-compassion, develop more balanced self-beliefs and take steps toward meaningful goals.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Low Self-Esteem page.

Difficulties with emotions can involve feeling overwhelmed by sadness, anger, anxiety, shame or frustration. Some people experience intense emotional reactions, mood shifts, difficulty calming down, or challenges expressing emotions in ways that feel helpful.

Therapy can help people better understand their emotions, recognise triggers and develop skills for managing distress, communication and conflict. Psychologists at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches, depending on the client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Emotional Difficulties and Anger Management pages.

Self-development in therapy can support people who want to better understand themselves, strengthen confidence, improve relationships or make meaningful changes in their lives.

Therapy may help you explore patterns in your thoughts, emotions and behaviour, clarify personal values, build self-awareness and develop practical strategies for growth. Psychologists consulting at VPC can support children, adolescents and adults with self-development goals in a warm and collaborative way.

Alcohol and substance misuse can involve using alcohol or other substances in ways that affect health, mood, relationships, work, study or day-to-day responsibilities. It may include difficulty cutting down, using substances to cope with stress or emotions, or continuing use despite negative consequences.

Therapy can help you better understand the role alcohol or substances may be playing in your life, identify triggers, build healthier coping strategies and work towards realistic change. Psychologists consulting at VPC may use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, harm-minimisation strategies and relapse-prevention planning.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Alcohol Misuse Page.

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm can be distressing and may occur when someone feels overwhelmed, hopeless or unsure how to cope with emotional pain. Self-harm may be used as a way to manage intense emotions, even when the person does not want to end their life.

Therapy can provide a safe space to talk about these experiences, understand triggers, develop coping and safety strategies, and strengthen support systems. Psychologists consulting at VPC may use approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-informed strategies, mindfulness-based approaches and collaborative safety planning.

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 000 or attend the nearest emergency department. For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Grief and loss can follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, major life changes, illness, miscarriage, separation, or other significant losses. Grief can affect emotions, sleep, concentration, motivation, relationships and daily functioning.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to process the loss, make sense of changing emotions, adjust to life after the loss and find ways to stay connected with what matters. Psychologists consulting at VPC may use grief counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies and other supportive approaches depending on the person’s needs.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Grief and Loss page.

Difficulties with identity can involve feeling unsure about who you are, what matters to you, where you belong, or how to navigate parts of your identity such as culture, sexuality, gender, values, roles or life direction.

Therapy can provide a safe and respectful space to explore identity, build self-understanding, work through confusion or distress, and develop greater confidence in yourself and your choices. Psychologists consulting at VPC may use approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), schema therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies and supportive exploratory therapy.

Relationship concerns can involve communication difficulties, repeated conflict, emotional distance, loss of trust, life transitions, intimacy concerns or feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns together.

Couples counselling can provide a structured space for partners to better understand each other, improve communication, explore recurring patterns and develop healthier ways of responding during conflict. Psychologists consulting at VPC may draw on evidence-based approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-informed strategies and communication skills work.

If you would like to learn more, visit our Couples Counselling page. 

ADHD can affect attention, organisation, impulse control, emotional regulation, time management and day-to-day routines. Children, adolescents and adults may experience ADHD differently, and support needs can vary across school, work, relationships and home life.

Therapy can help people better understand their ADHD-related strengths and challenges, develop practical strategies, improve emotional regulation and build routines that support daily functioning. Psychologists consulting at VPC can also provide ADHD assessments where appropriate.

To learn more, visit our ADHD page. For information regarding ADHD assessments, please visit our Assessments page. 

Autism can influence communication, social understanding, sensory experiences, routines, emotional regulation and the way a person interacts with the world. Autistic children, adolescents and adults can have different strengths, preferences and support needs.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to understand individual experiences, build coping strategies, navigate school, work or relationship challenges, and support emotional wellbeing. Psychologists consulting at VPC can also provide autism assessments where appropriate.

To learn more, visit our Autism Spectrum Disorder page. For information regarding Autism assessments, please visit our Assessments page.