Dr RACHEL LACEY

Rachel is the principal clinical psychologist of Rebalance Psychology. She works with adults, as well as with parents, children and adolescents. She has over ten years experience in the private, community and public mental health sectors in Canberra.

Rachel first knew that she wanted to become a clinical psychologist in 1991 when she was working in a play therapy program with children in an orphanage in Romania. She returned to Canberra to complete her psychology studies while working and raising a family. She completed her training in clinical psychology at the Australian National University (ANU), as part of a PhD (Clinical Psychology) degree. Her research investigated the impact of chemotherapy drugs on the brain and cognitive functioning in women with early breast cancer. She has lectured and given workshops in neuropsychology and clinical assessment for the undergraduate psychology and Masters Clinical Psychology program at the Australian National University. Rachel has also worked for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. She specialises in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder with Exposure and Response Prevention, the first line evidence based treatment.  Having worked across a variety of settings she brings a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to her work. Rachel is a warm and empathic psychologist who is passionate about helping her clients build on their strengths and learn skills to reach their goals and maintain their wellbeing.  Rachel is currently only seeing new clients for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.

APPROACHES

Rachel has extensive training and experience in treating a range of clinical mental health problems and individualizes these evidence based approaches for her clients, including:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which is effective in treating a wide range of mood and anxiety disorders. 

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), including therapist led exposure sessions, for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder

  • Trauma focused psychological therapies for adults and adolescents with post traumatic stress disorder

  • A combination of CBT, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for improving coping and quality of life with problems such as chronic fatigue or chronic pain.

  • Interpersonal therapy for interpersonal or adjustment problems e.g. postnatal depression, coping with a chronic illness

  • Motivational Interviewing for supporting behaviour change e.g. healthy eating, reducing substance abuse 

  • Mindfulness and ACT for improving distress tolerance and reducing self harming behaviours

  • Play therapy and emotion coaching for children who have experienced trauma, as well as working with families and schools.