MATRIX PROGRAM - Key Persons
Anya completed her psychology training in Ireland and initially worked in a primary care service for adults presenting with mild to moderate mental health issues.
Prior to moving to Australia Anya worked as an Applied Behaviour Analysis therapist in a specialised Autism unit for children.
Since moving to Australia, Anya has had a range of diverse roles including working with children identified as at risk for mental health concerns and providing psychological treatment to patients requiring pain management.
In private practice here at Ashcliffe, Anya works with a range of client presentations, in particular working with pain management, addictions, trauma and domestic violence.
Anya has a special interest in the areas of expressive therapies, Jungian psychology and Schema Therapy as well as EMDR for Trauma and PTSD treatment. Her treatment modalities also include CBT, Existentialism, ACT, solution focussed brief therapy and positive psychology.
Heather has over 25 year's experience as a Comprehensive Registered Nurse, specializing in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD).
Heather has worked in a diverse range of AOD area's including inpatient detox, home based withdrawal, outpatient case management, youth, triage, group work, education, pharmacotherapy, and community nursing.
Lisa's background includes working with substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues including anxiety and depression.
Lisa has extensive experience working with young adults struggling with anxiety and depression resulting from childhood trauma.
She has an eclectic and flexible approach, utilising cognitive behavioural therapies, Eye movement desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), solution focused approaches, Schema Therapy and mindfulness interventions.
Lisa has a client centred, warm and empathic approach, which allows her to work effectively with a wide range of clients.
Michael has over 35 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist. His expertise in addiction started with the Matrix Program®. Prior to this Michael held senior management roles in both the public and private sector, working mainly with law enforcement and the emergency services. He has significant experience in the areas of Critical Incident Stress and Crisis intervention.
Michael was an adjunct lecturer in Trauma Counselling at the University of Notre Dame Australia for 10 years. He has provided consulting services to the resource sector and aviation.
His books include How to Understand and Manage Stress, A life in Crisis and Risky Practices.
Michael has been an invited speaker to Conferences around Australia and New Zealand and in the USA.
Michael became interested in addiction treatment while working with clients who disclosed addiction problems along with mental health issues. Through Kerryn's work, Michael became interested in the Matrix Program®. After training with the Matrix Institute in 2017, Michael joined with his colleague, Kerryn, to set up the Matrix Program® in WA. He has become a strong advocate of the Matrix Program® as an effective addiction treatment because it is an intensive program which requires participants to commit to multiple sessions each week. He sees the program a great alternative to residential treatments for many people, as there are individuals seeking addiction recovery, but due to family or work commitments, they are unable to enter a full-time residential program. Michael strongly endorses the idea that rehabilitation is more effective when people people learn how to stay drug-free or sober in a more "normal" environment, than the artificial environment provided by many residential facilities. Finally, as a Clinical Psychologist, Michael appreciates the evidence-based approach, responsiveness to client feedback and long-term client objectives that are fundamental to the Matrix Program®.