ABOUT

Psychologist

Dr. Kim Gillbee

Kim has completed a Masters in Psychology (Counselling) and a PhD at Monash University. Her research looked into factors that contribute to a healing therapeutic relationship and effective psychotherapy outcomes.

Not content to simply send clients away feeling better in the short term, Kim committed to learning about what symptoms really meant, and combined her theoretical understanding and classical training with more alternative techniques that provide great outcomes. 

Specializations

Kim has a particular interest in working with:

  • Depression and anxiety disorders.

  • Trauma.

  • Addiction.

  • Personality difficulties.

  • Bipolar and Borderline disorders.

  • Relationship issues.

Approach

Kim believes true healing can occur when we are guided to look beyond the beliefs we have about who we are. Based on a deep understanding of how the brain and body work and interact, we address the root cause of symptoms. 

You will be offered skills to help you manage current concerns and break through familiar stories, ingrained patterns, and persistent concerns.

With a warm and collaborative approach, Kim operates intuitively under an Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework, and uses a variety of techniques from cognitive restructuring and behavioral modification to sensorimotor and techniques and trauma processing.

PHILOSOPHY

Nook Psychology was created to address the needs of modern consumers of mental health care.

After fifteen years working as a counsellor and psychologist, and conducting research investigating what makes effective psychotherapy, I developed a passion for working with clients for whom industry standard treatments for depression, anxiety, or self-esteem issues didn't create deep or lasting change. These clients were often intelligent, sensitive, and open minded. Many were extremely high functioning. However, being forever invested in becoming their best self, they were bothered deeply by inner struggles and an awareness of unintegrated parts of themselves.  I also witnessed how difficult it could be for people to try to navigate the flood of information, advice, and treatment options available today, often coming away with a lot of knowledge, but little emotional change. 

WORKING WITH KIM

Nook Psychology was created to offer a safe place for people to get to know themselves on a deep level without fear of judgement and consequences.

This philosophy highlights the importance of developing a warm, trusting, and collaborative relationship in the setting and meeting of therapeutic goals, with continuous reflection on the process.  It’s important for me to always meet you where you’re at and respond to what you’re wanting to get from sessions rather than placing myself in the role of expert.

I do not believe you are broken and need fixing. We can be healed significantly by shifting our perspective on what we see as our symptoms and being guided to look inwards with compassion and curiosity.

I quickly attune to your energetic inner self to get a sense of who you are in the world and what might be blocking you and use a variety of skills and techniques to help you begin to respond to challenging thoughts, feelings, and situations in an empowered fashion, shifting long held patterns and releasing energetic blocks, all the while seeing and addressing the part of you that is already whole.

TECHNIQUES

Below is a brief description of the main evidence-based approaches that are complimented with intuitive awareness and knowledge of more alternative modalities. These approaches work best when integrated naturally and to suit your individual needs, and everyone’s process is unique depending on the nature of your presenting problems, as well as your goals, previous experience of therapy, and preparedness to experiment with different ways of being. 

PSYCHOEDUCATION

Psychoeducation is basically information about your condition or concerns. Any questions you have will be answered and information will be shared about how the mind and body work. While it may seem strange that information provision is considered an intervention, I believe it’s key to good clinical care and is usually extremely empowering.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)

CBT is a combination of strategies which are used by many psychotherapists almost exclusively. CBT aims to educate you about the link between our thoughts, feelings, and behavior, which is a helpful starting skill for most people. Cognitive therapy involves interrupting entrenched cognitive pathways that determine how you think about an issue or event and challenging these thoughts. I naturally integrate CBT skills into therapeutic dialogue whilst also accessing deeper layers of experience than what resides at the level of thought. Behavioral therapy involves skills training around things like problem solving, assertiveness, or anger management if required, and also monitoring and modifying current behavioral patterns. It may also involve gradual exposure to feared stimulus as in the case of phobias or anxiety. 

MINDFULNESS AND DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT)

A large part of DBT is about learning to be mindful. Being mindful involves paying attention to your moment to moment experiences is a non-judgmental way, which forms the basis for then being able to intervene, and alter your experiences. It can also include teaching skills such as self-soothing, affect regulation, relaxation, and behavioral skills. DBT skills are most helpful when you struggle with strong, intense, emotions, or have trouble separating from the contents of your mind and thoughts to be in the present moment. 

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY (IFS)

IFS is an approach which aims at enhancing a person’s internal integration and sense of Self. It involves learning to look inwards and relate to your experiences in a unique way. IFS is particularly useful for treating conditions related to a conflicted sense of identity, or when behavior feels self-defeating, meaning you know what you're doing wrong, yet feel powerless to change it, as in the case of addiction. The goal of IFS is to help relax parts of yourself that may be in extreme roles, integrate those which are in conflict with other parts causing polarization, and heal traumatized or suppressed parts of yourself to release more of your innate Self energy which is naturally compassionate, calm, and confident. 

Sensorimotor Techniques & EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EMDR)

Sensorimotor techniques involve tuning into and moving the body in specific ways. A large part of this approach is using feedback from body posture, heart rate, and other cues to help regulate thoughts and emotions, and aid in the release of implicitly stored bodily memories by bypassing the conscious mind. EMDR is one popular technique for helping to process traumatic memories. It involves inviting you to recall distressing images while receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input, such as side to side eye movements. EMDR was originally developed to treat PTSD, however it is useful for people who have had various types of traumatic experience and continue to suffer from the aftereffects.

If you’re curious to see whether working together is something that might benefit you, please feel free to contact us for a confidential discussion. 

ETHICAL GUIDELINES

Kim is a nationally registered and accredited psychologist with the Australian Psychologists Association, ensuring you receive high quality, ethical service. As a client, you have a right to expect that:

  • You will be treated with respect at all times.

  • You will be asked to give your consent for any service prior to the service commencing and as it progresses.

  • You will receive an explanation about the confidentiality of the service and the exceptional situations where your confidentiality may not be protected.

  • You will receive a clear statement about fees for the services.

  • You will receive skilled and professional services.

  • You can ask any questions about the service you are receiving.