Developing depression is thought to be the result of multiple contributing factors, including biological (such as a genetic risk), psychological (such as having low self-esteem), and social (such as trauma and adverse life events). Depression involves feeling miserable or sad, or losing interest or enjoyment in your usual activities. Feelings of strong guilt or worthlessness
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Searching for a Psychologist in Townsville?
Dr. Emma Black provides a quality service supporting women through life's challenges.
Welcome to Dr. Emma Black: Clinical & Perinatal Psychology Services in Townsville
Life’s challenges can sometimes get the better of us. Reaching out for help can be daunting. Know that I will listen without judging you or your choices, allow you to safely explore difficult issues and feelings, as well as provide supportive and objective feedback. I am committed to providing caring and understanding, along with helpful skills-based work, to help you achieve your goals and change your life for the better. I use a collaborative approach and provide high quality, ethical services using evidence-based treatments.
Therapy can help you learn to manage your mental health, as well as difficult thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or circumstances, in a new way.
Sometimes, we can all benefit from support to get us on the right track.
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Depression
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Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common psychiatric disorder. There are several different types of anxiety disorder, which are all characterised by worry (about a specific issue, or a range of problems), nervousness, or apprehension about real or imagined events. People can feel overwhelmed by anxiety or panic, restless or tense, and have physical symptoms- such as
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Stress
Stress is how your body responds to pressures or demands, and involves a perception that those demands exceed your resources or ability to respond to them. A moderate level of stress can be helpful, as it motivates us to perform and tackle the challenge/s. Too much stress, or long term stress, is not so helpful, however. This
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Perinatal Mental Health
‘Perinatal’ refers to both the antenatal (pregnancy) and postnatal (after birth) periods. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are times of massive life transition which can involve mixed feelings, including feeling up and down. It’s common in the first couple of weeks after giving birth to experience the baby blues- feeling sad and teary; this tends to
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Pregnancy Support
Considering whether to try for pregnancy can raise issues for women and their partners, particularly when there have previously been fertility challenges, difficulties with past pregnancy or birth, or loss of a baby. Even if you decide to try, pregnancy is a time of massive life change and transition, and can be a time of
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Eating Disorders
Many factors are thought to cause or predispose people to disordered eating, including trauma, genetic risks, modelling of these behaviours, biological factors, rigid thinking and perfectionism, low self-esteem, dissociative experiences, impulsivity, early menstruation… and more. Research has consistently supported that social, familial, or cultural pressure to be thin (or lose weight), in conjunction with internalising
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Trauma & PTSD
When trauma occurs and is a ‘one-off’ event, it is very normal to have your world turned upside down. Most people, with support, routine, self-care, and time, return to normal and feel like themselves again. For children and young people who have experienced trauma, one factor linked to their recovery and wellbeing is how they are
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Evidence-Based Treatments
A range of evidence-based treatments are offered, including: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Cognitive Behaviour Therapy- Enhanced (for eating disorders) Cognitive Processing Therapy (for PTSD) Habit Reversal Training (for trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, or nail biting) Interpersonal Therapy Mindfulness skills Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills Brief Solution-Focused Therapy Motivational Interviewing Services are available face-to-face
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Meet Dr. Emma Black
Dr. Emma Black is a registered psychologist and endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist. Emma is also an approved supervising psychologist by the Psychology Board of Australia and can supervise all intern pathways as well as clinical registrars. She has multiple additional trainings in Perinatal Psychology.
Emma earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Deakin University in Melbourne. Her doctoral thesis explored the relationships between self-injury, disordered eating, and personality traits. Emma has worked both clinically and in research; this has cemented the importance of relying on science to inform her clinical work and discussions with clients. Emma has worked clinically in a variety of settings, including trauma services, public mental health, hospital, education, and private practice. She has experience working with individuals and facilitating group sessions. Emma’s first professional role involved working for a sexual assault service for several years, which started Emma’s passion, interest, and commitment to supporting women.
Emma has worked in private practice in Townsville for the last nine years, supporting women through many challenges. She has also expanded outside the therapy room to support women in other ways, with free offerings, a fortnightly newsletter, blog, online postnatal programs, and there are several books in the pipeline.
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