About The Centre for Clinical Psychology
After working for many years in public mental health system, Jon and Emma, the directors and principal psychologists at the Centre for Clinical Psychology decided to establish a service with a focus upon posttraumatic and perinatal mental health.
Their aim was to develop a service that provides comprehensive assessment and skilful treatment with a focus upon client relationships and measurable outcomes. They also wanted to create a practice where clients can collaborate openly, and feel respected, listened to and understood.
At the heart of good therapy is a strong working relationship between client and therapist.
The service also aims to support practitioners at all stages of their careers with supervision and ongoing professional development. Learning is a lifelong endeavour, and Emma and Jon have been fortunate to have supervised and supported the growth of many psychologists during their careers.
Dr Jon Finch (Director)
Jon is a clinical psychologist specialising in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A skilled psychologist with twenty years of experience, Jon works with his clients using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD.
Jon is also a certified, individual Schema Therapist (standard level) with the International Society of Schema Therapy.
Jon began his career working with soldiers, war veterans/peacekeepers at the Veteran and Veterans Families Counselling Service, in the role of counsellor and Deputy Director. He then worked for Davidson Trahaire Corpsych as the Victorian Trauma Services Manager. He moved on to work with police members at Victoria Police as the Senior Psychologist.
Jon has also worked as a Senior Psychologist with Melbourne University Counselling Service, treating young people and staff at the University.
He has worked in private practice since 2011 with a focus upon treating people with complex trauma histories.
Jon has worked with people exposed to a wide range of traumatic events, victims of assault, sexual assault, childhood sexual assault and domestic violence, those involved in motor vehicle accidents, soldiers, war veterans/peace keepers, police members, and emergency services workers. Jon also has extensive experience working with people experiencing depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders, and those suffering from substance use difficulties.
Jon works collaboratively and helps people build skills and knowledge to resolve problems.
Jon initially trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD in 2007. He travelled to America in 2014 to complete training with the authors of the Cognitive Processing Therapy manual to reach Cognitive Processing Therapy Trainer status and to train other clinicians. Jon now provides training and supervision to clinicians.
Jon contributes to the Cognitive Processing Therapy website in Australia, and is a strong advocate for the use of evidence based therapy in the field of psychology1
Dr Jon Finch
Clinical Psychologist, BAppSc, BSci (Hons), DPsych (Health), MAPS FCCLP
Professional contributions
Deliberately Better Podcast-PTSD and recommended treatments.
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?
Never Alone Podcast- Road to recovery understanding different treatments – CBT.
Trauma from the frontline Podcast-PTSD.
Webinar Panel Member – Comorbid Mental Health Conditions in Veterans: Strategies for Assessment, Case Formulation and Treatment
Professional Associations - Dr Jon Finch
AHPRA approved supervisor
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
International Society for Schema Therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy Australia
Dr Emma Symes
Clinical Psychologist, BAppSc, BSci (Hons), DPsych (Clin), MAPS FCCLP
Dr Emma Symes (Director)
Emma is an experienced clinical psychologist with an interest in perinatal and infant mental health. Over the past twenty years, she has supported many families through the transitions that occur during the perinatal and early parenting period. She is also skilled in the provision of general mental health treatment, such as interventions for anxiety, depression and trauma.
Prior to starting the Centre for Clinical Psychology, Emma was a senior clinical psychologist at The Royal Women’s Hospital – Centre for Women’s Mental Health. In this role, Emma supported women during pregnancy and in the early postpartum. She has a particular interest in helping women following a traumatic birth, parent-infant relationships, and finding ways to support parents to get to know their baby. Emma has been involved in facilitating mother-infant psychotherapy group programs and Circle of Security Parenting groups. Emma also provides psychological support
to women experiencing gynaecological cancers and other women’s health issues.
Emma also worked as a clinical psychologist at the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, supporting families and infants with sleep and settling issues. She also has experience working within the adult mental health sector at the Inner West Area Mental Health Service, as well as working with adolescents and their families at headspace.
After working with adults and then adolescents with complex and severe mental health difficulties, Emma became interested in early intervention, and the factors that protect individuals against developing mental health difficulties. This led her to the field of infant mental health which continues to inform her work. In therapy, Emma aims to support parents and families by starting with the assumption that all parents are trying their best and that all behaviour has meaning.
Emma is trained in a number of modalities, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Schema Therapy, and more. Her training in psychodynamic theory has been most influential in shaping her approach to the work, meaning she has a relational and developmental perspective when supporting her clients and supervisees. She provides moderate to long-term therapy.
Emma also has an interest in meditation and philosophy.
Emma is a Board Approved Supervisor. She has also lectured into several clinical masters programs, and taught perinatal mental health and also a CBT unit. Emma enjoys mentoring and supervising early career psychologists, and giving back to the profession of psychology. Emma’s supervision involves a mixture of case formulation and skill development.
Emma has been a co-facilitator of the Western Infant and Perinatal Metal Health Professionals Network since 2014, and she is currently a member of the Australian Psychological Society’s Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group. She contributed to the Miscarriage Australia website, has contributed to government enquiries, presented at conferences and she coordinates the Centre for Clinical Psychology online seminars (www.psychpd.com.au).
Professional Contributions
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
Article “The Transition to Motherhood – Psychological Factors Associated with Pregnancy, Labour and Birth” Published in APS InPsych Magazine (2017, Vol 39(1)).
Professional Associations
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health
AHPRA approved supervisor
Circle of Security Facilitator
