So why are we different?

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As counsellors, our role is to help you understand and express what you are feeling through therapy. By working together, we develop a path for you to move forward to reach your goal. 

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At First Response Counselling we see you as a person, with a unique story, not a label.  It is for this reason that we provide you with the opportunity to tell us how you are feeling in a safe, friendly and non-judgemental environment.  In order to support you, we utilize and teach you techniques attached to therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Mindfulness to name a few.

 

Kirsten Mackenzie 

​Kirsten has experience working in both the public and private sectors.  As well as working with private clients, Kirsten has experience working in public mental health, acute care, and community services.  She currently works in a forensic setting as a wellbeing officer for staff where she delivers individual assessment and therapeutic consultations, critical incident debriefing and follow-up, assistance to managers regarding staff wellbeing and return to work requirements, and delivery of individual and small group training to staff on mental health and general wellbeing.  

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Kirsten's professional interests include anxiety, depression, aggression and anger management, bullying, trauma, self-harm, unresolved grief and suicide.

 

Qualifications

• Masters of Professional Psychology

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology)

• Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

• Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Mental Health)

• Facilitator: Family Connections Program (Borderline Personality Disorder)

• Mental Health First Aid

• Psychological First Aid

• ASIST Suicide First Aid

• Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

• Qualified ACT Therapist 

• Qualified EMDR Therapist

• Qualified Schema Therapist 

 

Memberships

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency 

• Medicare

• WorkCover

• Concession Cards

• DVA

• Private Health Memberships

  • Medibank

  • BUPA

  • Police Health

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Brad McGregor

Brad has extensive history working forensically with adults in the public sector.  In private practice, Brad works with teenagers and adults, assisting them with anxiety, depression, aggression and anger management, bullying, trauma, self-harm, unresolved grief and suicide.

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Qualifications

• Qualified Counsellor 

• Grief and Loss Counselling

• 15 years experience: Corrective Services

• 22 years experience: Police Service

 

Membership

• Australian Counselling Association​

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Brendan Anderson

Brendan has extensive experience working forensically in both the juvenile and adult public sector.  In private practice, Brendan works with teenagers and adults, assisting them with anxiety, depression, aggression and anger management, bullying, trauma, self-harm, addictions, unresolved grief and suicide. Brendan has a long history working as an Employment Assistance Provider counsellor.

 

Qualifications

• Qualified Counsellor

• Child Development and Effective Parenting 

• Psychological First Aid

• Facilitator: Family Connections Program (Borderline Personality Disorder)

• Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention

• ACT Qualified Therapist

• EMDR Qualified Level 1 and 2 Therapist

  • EMDR Advanced Training: Complex Trauma

  • EMDR: Structural Dissociation

  • EMDR: Grief & Loss

• DBT Qualified Therapist

• ACT Qualified Therapist 

• 4 years' experience working as a School based Counsellor

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Membership

• Member Australian Counselling Association

• Private Health Provider 

• Member of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Association of Australia