Dr Joanne Dennison
Clinical & Counselling Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach & Areas of Expertise
Joanne works with adults seeking support for a wide range of concerns — from anxiety, depression, stress, to relationship issues and life transitions. She has extensive experience supporting clients with more complex presentations, including PTSD (and complex trauma), addictions, and personality vulnerabilities.
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In addition to her clinical training, Joanne has experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and executive advisory roles, which enhances her ability to support professionals navigating high-pressure jobs — while maintaining a focus on the full range of their psychological needs.
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Her primary interest lies in helping clients work through the underlying drivers of their difficulties — not just managing symptoms, but addressing issues at their source. This often involves exploring early life experiences, core beliefs, and internal drives to understand how they shape present-day patterns and ways of engaging. Joanne works collaboratively with clients to build deep insight, resolve issues at their core, and support meaningful, lasting change.
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Joanne adopts a process-oriented psychotherapeutic approach and tailors treatment to each individual. She draws on a wide range of evidence-based modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Flash Technique, Mindfulness-based approaches, and Havening.
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She has completed training in various evidence-based approaches to parenting (including supporting the development of healthy attachment). Furthermore, she has undergone training in facilitating Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAT). Although she has completed formal training and has experience as a couple’s therapist, her current practice is focused exclusively on individual clients.
Professional Background & Qualifications
In addition to her clinical expertise, Joanne has gained significant leadership and business experience. Joanne was the founder and CEO of a venture capital backed tech start-up, giving her first-hand insight into the psychological challenges faced by entrepreneurs, executives, and high-performing professionals. She has completed training at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has served in executive advisory roles, providing strategic guidance to leaders in commercial organisations. This unique background allows her to work effectively with clients navigating the pressures of leadership, organisational change, and professional identity.
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Joanne’s professional background as a psychologist includes coordinating state-wide treatment programs, supervising other psychologists, presenting at professional conferences, and serving on the APS Counselling College National Executive Board (2013–2019), including as Victorian Chair and Chair Elect.
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Joanne holds a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and a Master of Arts (Hons) in Psychology, completed over seven years of full-time study across the U.K., New Zealand, and Australia. She is endorsed by AHPRA as a Counselling Psychologist, and is a board-registered supervisor, a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a member of the APS Counselling College.
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Professional Registrations/Memberships
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Member, Golden Key International Honour Society (for Academic Excellence)
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AHPRA: Endorsed Clinical Psychologist and Counselling Psychologist and board-approved supervisor
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Fellow, Australian Psychological Society (APS)
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Member, APS Counselling College
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EMDR Association of Australia (Associate Member)
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Accredited Circle of Security Parent Educator, Triple P practitioner, and Tuning Into Kids facilitator
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Rebates
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Joanne provides Medicare rebates of $145.25 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).
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