Ana Almagro
Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications & Experience

Ana completed a bachelor of psychological science, with honours, prior to completing a master’s degree in professional psychology. Whilst working as a registered psychologist, Ana returned to university to complete a second master’s degree, in clinical psychology. Ana is a fully registered clinical psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA).

Ana has experience working in a wide range of settings. These include private practice, inpatient rehabilitation, and onsite workplace intervention. Ana is client-centred in her approach to treatment; she believes that there is no ‘one size fits all’ in therapy.

Therapeutic Approach

Ana uses a range of evidence-based approaches in her practice. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema therapy, Gottman Method Couple's Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); EMDR helps clients to process traumatic/ painful life experiences, thereby addressing the impact on their current wellbeing.

Further to the above, Ana has completed training as yoga teacher and is trained to provide trauma-informed yoga workshops. Her training in these domains assists her in working with clients to support the integration of mind and body.

Areas of Expertise

Ana enjoys working with clients of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Ana provides treatment for:

relationship issues (including couple's therapy)
trauma/ PTSD
addiction/ substance use issues
disordered eating
anxiety
depression
low self-esteem.

Couple's Therapy

Ana is trained in the Gottman Method of Couple’s Therapy. Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy is based on 40 years of research, including a study carried out by Dr Gottman on more than 3000 couples. The approach focuses on helping couples break through barriers, and improve the level of connection, intimacy and understanding within their relationships. The therapy is structured, evidence-based, and goal-oriented. The Gottman method aims to help partners:

Increase respect, affection, and closeness
Break through and resolve conflict when they feel stuck
Generate greater understanding between partners
Keep conflict discussions calm.

The Gottman approach starts with an assessment process, which allows the psychologist to develop a deep understanding of the relationship, as well as the impact of each partner's individual life experiences on the relationship. The assessment process takes the following format:

Session 1: Understanding your relationship

In your first session, you and your partner will have the opportunity to share what has brought you to couple’s therapy, as well as describing the history of the relationship.

Sessions 2 and 3: Understanding you and your partner, as individuals

These sessions are conducted as individual sessions (each partner attends a session on their own). The psychologist will have an opportunity to get to know each partner, as an individual, and develop an understanding of how their previous life experiences influence the relationship.

Session 4: Understanding the strengths of your relationship and areas you want to change

In the final assessment session, your psychologist will share the understanding they have gained throughout the assessment process. Each partner will be invited to share how this summary compares with their own experience of the relationship. You will identify goals for your couple’s therapy, and the psychologist will develop a plan to work towards these goals.

Appointments

Appointments with Ana can be booked through our online booking system.

Ana provides Medicare rebates of $136.35 per appointment. You need to obtain a referral from your GP to be eligible for this rebate. If you have a private health insurance with extras, you may be able to claim through it (without a GP referral). Please note, Medicare rebates are not available for couple's therapy.