Psycnet primarily operates in the greater Sydney Metropolitan area. We also provide Telehealth as well as link directly to other professionals nationally and internationally. Our psychologists provide counselling (individual, couple and group), trauma response, forensic and corporate psychology, mediation, conflict management, stress management, executive coaching and more.
Past and current clients include law enforcement agencies, emergency services, private industry, government departments and not-for-profit organisations. We also provide specialist counselling services to the arts community, the legal profession, journalists, teachers, actors and the music industry.
Our team is large enough to offer comprehensive, on-site trauma response services, but small enough to allow clients direct access to management and choice of counsellor, so that rapport can build easily. We accept Medicare referrals from GPs and work closely with them. We also assist companies' management and staff through a comprehensive range of Employee Assistance Programs. We pride ourselves on our broad reach and uniquely personal approach.
Therapy
Best psychological practice is at the heart of the Psycnet approach.
We offer psychotherapy and counselling services that include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance-commitment and mindfulness-based therapies; group workshops, seminars and corporate training.
Therapists utilise a suite of CBT and psychodynamic approaches. Their expertise in specialised modalities provides evidence-based treatment for phobias, anxiety-related conditions, life-transition issues, PTSD, depression and interpersonal conflict.
Trauma
Risk assessment, critical incident management, trauma debriefing and counselling for anxiety and depression are all available through our corporate services.
'Manager-Assist' and executive coaching is available to senior managers to support them in dealing with critical incidents or other challenging situations in the workplace.
Our 1300 46 6463 trauma hotline is accessible for contracted companies 24/7.
Our clients include banks (CBA, ANZ, NAB, Investec); emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, SES, corporate security); CBD jewellery stores; licensed premises; cinemas; major hotel chains (Westin, Hilton); national trucking companies and many others.
Corporate
Psycnet employee assistance programs (EAPs) provide counselling for staff members and their families who are experiencing personal or work-related difficulties. We offer face-to-face, telephone and online counselling.
With experience in private industry, the government sector and the emergency services, our excellent reputation lies in researching and tailoring programs to an organisation's specific cultural requirements. Our focus is in identifying opportunities and evaluating and implementing a variety of psychological and behavioural interventions.
Psycnet consultants inspire managers to achieve the focus, self-awareness and consistency required to lead robust, resilient workplace teams. Our training modules aim to facilitate a manager's insight and vision, compassion and self-assertiveness.
A Psycnet EAP has proven, time and again, to be a worthwhile human and commercial investment that pays for itself many times over. It achieves this by:
- fostering increased workplace morale
- partnering the organisation to model a forward-thinking and receptive management culture
- early diagnosis and treatment of staff mental health issues
- teaching staff and managers how to recognise and act upon 'early warning signs'
- early referral for appropriate follow-up treatment where necessary
- achieving dramatic decrease in staff turnover, workers compensation claims, absenteeism and 'presenteeism'
- a consequential decrease in post-claim insurance premium hikes
Mediation
Psycnet consultants have expert training in all areas of mediation and conflict resolution.
Our family law mediation program is a Sydney first, combining the skills of clinical psychologists and family law mediators to help resolve interpersonal conflicts before they escalate into expensive family court proceedings. This reduces the huge financial burden of litigation as well as facilitating family members' emotional healing.
Each program can also be tailored for family, relationship or workplace conflicts. Ours is a results-based methodology with a well-documented record of success.
Psychology, Music & the Law
Psycnet consultants enjoy working with musicians, artists and other creatives. We understand many of the challenges involved in making art for a living. Psycnet has assisted thousands of people to discover methods for managing and resolving creative blocks and, through that process, help them realise their artistic vision.
Dr David Goldman also specialises in working with barristers and other legal professionals. He understands how lawyers' particular work pressures may lead to accumulative anxiety, substance dependency and depression.
David, also a musician, has successfully offered music-based stress management programs to the legal industry and the NSW emergency services, as well as other government agencies and private industry. These programs have assisted those suffering from PTSD and other stress-related health conditions.
David's PhD research focussed on composing ambient music to facilitate creativity and 'reverie' within the psychotherapy process. 'Musical atmospheres' can be designed to help enrich the therapy experience, so that deeper emotional states can be accessed.
Dr David Goldman is Psycnet's principal clinical psychologist and founder. He has practised at Edgecliff for nearly 30 years. David is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, trauma specialist, EAP provider/manager, supervisor and trainer. He has worked as a forensic psychologist with the NSW Police and as a prison psychologist at Long Bay Gaol. He was Head Psychologist at St John of God Hospital and later at Sydney Private Clinic. In his role as a forensic psychologist, David managed psychological services for major critical incidents such as the Port Arthur massacre, Thredbo landslide, Lindt Café siege and many others. David is also a musician, whose PhD research brought together theories of psychoanalytic treatment, music composition and the design of the physical therapy setting.
Deborah Edwards has worked in mental health for over 20 years. Her expertise is in short-term EAP interventions, working with individuals who experience workplace stress, self-esteem issues, trauma, depression, addictions and anxiety. Deb’s therapeutic lens is person-centred and humanistic. She uses a variety modalities including CBT, mindfulness meditation and solution-focused therapy to assist with a range of behavioural and mental health challenges.
David Mutton has 40 years’ experience as a psychologist. As the chief police psychologist during the 1990s, he was instrumental in setting up critical incident and PTSD support services for police officers and support staff. Following his years with the police, he embarked on an academic career whilst still maintaining a clinical practice. He taught mainly clinical and forensic psychology at Western Sydney University, as well as being a clinical supervisor. David's main areas of interest are stress and anxiety management, LGBTQIA+ issues and short-term, solutions-focused counselling.
Jennifer Kensey has more than 30 years’ experience in addictions counselling, psychotherapy, trauma counselling and workplace training. Her special expertise is in trauma counselling and critical incident stress, having spent 13 years with the NSW Police, where she conducted debriefings and counselling after major critical incidents. More recently, she provided post-trauma counselling to affected staff and families following Sydney’s Lindt Cafe siege. She also has a special interest in bereavement and grief counselling.
Le Hoang specialises in relationship therapy (individuals and couples) which she has done for over 20 years. Clients with relationship issues (in personal and work settings) mostly want to look to conflict resolution, enhancing communication, better listening, intimate connection, trust and respect. In addition to relationship counselling, Le works with clients to address a range of concerns including self-esteem, depression, stress and anxiety, grief and loss, anger management, and cross-cultural issues. Le speaks fluent Vietnamese.
Libby McLean has over 10 years’ experience working in neurological rehabilitation and in mental health. She’s worked in hospitals, in community rehabilitation, and as an EAP consultant for a large international organisation. Libby has spent the last seven years living and working in London and Dubai, increasing her clinical skills across cultures. Libby has an engaging, professional style and prides herself in connecting well with clients. She has been trained in solutions-focused and acceptance-commitment (ACT) therapies. Libby practises and teaches mindfulness meditation and is also a trained executive coach.
Jacqui Smith has worked as a counsellor in both NGOs and in private practice, assisting clients with anxiety, relationship issues, grief and loss as well as workplace issues. She has over 10 years’ experience working in health and wellbeing and is passionate about all facets of mental health and personal growth. She believes in the power of the therapeutic alliance to facilitate change. Her training (BA Hons in Social Psychology) informs her solution-focused EAP consulting and her psychosocial support for NDIS clients. Through her work as a counsellor, Jacqui is also familiar with the racing industry and community disability networks.