About Us
About The Centre for Clinical Psychology
After many years working in public mental health, Jon and Emma, directors and lead psychologists at the Centre for Clinical Psychology, founded a practice dedicated to perinatal and posttraumatic mental health. Their vision was a service that provides skilled interventions and strong, respectful client relationships that deliver meaningful outcomes. They also hoped to support the learning and development of other psychologists and give back to the profession of psychology.
The service aims to foster an open, collaborative environment, where clients feel respected, safe and understood. Staff at the service are well supported with opportunities for training, ongoing supervision and administration support, so that they can, in turn, support clients of the service. Strong relationships are at the heart of the best client outcomes.
Director
Dr Jon Finch
Jon is a clinical psychologist who has devoted his career to the treatment of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A skilled psychologist with over twenty years of experience, Jon works with his clients using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and trauma.
Jon is also a certified individual Schema Therapist with the International Society of Schema Therapy.
Jon began his career working with soldiers, veterans and peacekeepers in the role of counsellor, then as Deputy Director at the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service. He then worked for Davidson Trahaire Corpsych as the Victorian Trauma Services Manager. He returned to working with first responders as the Senior Psychologist at Victoria Police in the Police Psychology Unit.
Jon has also worked as a Senior Psychologist with Melbourne University Counselling Service, treating young people and staff at the University.
Jon has worked in private practice since 2011 with a focus upon treating people with complex trauma histories. He is also a board approved supervisor and an accredited trainer of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. He has extensive experience as a CPT trainer and has trained over 850 mental health professionals from around Australia and beyond.
Professional Associations - Dr Jon Finch
Board Approved Supervisor
International Society for Schema Therapy
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Cognitive Processing Therapy Australia
Professional Contributions - Dr Jon Finch
Guest article – The Cusp Wellbeing – How CBT can help you manage your anxiety.
Guest article-CPT Australia – Are symptom increases during treatment something to worry about?
Deliberately Better Podcast – PTSD and recommended treatments.
Webinar Panel Member – Comorbid Mental Health Conditions in Veterans: Strategies for Assessment, Case Formulation and Treatment
Never Alone Podcast – Road to recovery understanding different treatments – CBT.
Trauma from the frontline Podcast – PTSD.
ABC Life Matters Interview Navigating the obstacles – learning to drive after 30
Director
Dr Emma Symes
Emma is an experienced clinical psychologist with an interest in perinatal and infant mental health. Emma has supported many families through the transitions that occur during the perinatal and early parenting periods. In addition, she is also skilled in the provision of treatments for trauma, anxiety, depression and a range of other emotional and mental health issues. Emma provides short and long-term therapy and is interested in how our past and current relationships can shape our experience of others and ourselves.
Before creating the Centre for Clinical Psychology Emma worked at the Royal Women’s Hospital (Centre for Women’s Mental Health), Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, headspace Sunshine and the Australian Psychological Society. She began her career at the Inner West Area Mental Health Service (adult public mental health). Her early experiences working with adults and adolescents with serious mental health difficulties made her wonder about early intervention and this led her to the field of infant mental health and developmental psychology.
Emma is an experienced and board approved supervisor. She is also a university lecturer and enjoys teaching and mentoring psychologists at all stages of their careers.
Emma is trained in a range of therapies including CBT, Schema Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, DBT and more. However, her heart lies with psychodynamic psychotherapy. Emma has recently completed a two-year training program with the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists, (AABCAP). Emma also coordinates the Centre for Clinical Psychology online seminars (www.psychpd.com.au).
Professional Associations - Dr Emma Symes
Board Approved Supervisor
Circle of Security Facilitator
Cognitive Processing Therapy Provider
Member and graduate of 2-year professional training program AABCAP
Coordinator Western Infant and Perinatal Mental Health Professionals Network (2014-current)
Professional Contributions - Dr Emma Symes
Birth Trauma & Perinatal PTSD – Invited presenter Australian Psychological Society Unpacking Trauma Conference 2021
Coordinator and facilitator Royal Women’s Hospital, Centre for Women’s Mental Health – Parent-Infant Psychotherapy Training
ABC life Matters interview with Dr Emma Symes – Pregnant and Overworked
Member of Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition
Contributed to content development of the Miscarriage Australia website
Our Values
- Strong relationships
- Skillful treatment
- Clinical governance
- Lifelong learning for practitioners
