Counsellors

Meeghan Bourne, Principal Therapist

Meeghan is an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist. She graduated from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) in 2016. Meeghan’s continued education and training has led her down the pathway to a focus on Family and Relationship Counselling. She is also registered Supervisor to counsellors with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

“I use emotion-focused techniques, practical strategies, psycho-education, mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Action Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to help you put in place solutions that help to relieve your struggles and enable you to live the life you hoped for and deserve!”

Meeghan entered the world of counselling and mental health 12 years ago. She completed her Bachelor of Counselling in 2016. She worked at a private hospital The Sydney Clinic – Bronte , where she facilitated and assisted in running mood and anxiety/ alcohol and other drugs inpatient groups using approaches that included Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative and Art Therapy.

Meeghan has participated in ongoing education, studying various approaches to meet the needs of her clients. These include Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), an excellent approach for addressing more complex trauma issues for individuals. Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is another wonderful approach implemented at Holus Health to assist Individuals and Couples understand the concepts of mindfulness, perspectives and working from strong core values to whilst navigating the concerns that have negatively impacted their relationships and decision making processes. Meeghan has also qualified for Level 1 Gottman.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts – University of Sydney
Bachelor of Counselling – Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP)

Professional Association

Meeghan is an accredited member of Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and works in accordance with their guidelines, code of ethics and on-going accreditation requirements. She is a registered Supervisor to counsellors with the ACA.

Approaches

Meeghan has experience in using the following evidence-based approaches:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on changing unhelpful, thoughts, beliefs and behaviour patterns that are causing distress and replacing them with helpful coping strategies to improve quality of life. CBT has been extremely researched and it is one of the most effective treatments for adults, younger adults and children.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

The aim of this treatment is maximise the client’s potential and meaningful life by teaching them to accept what is out of their control. It also encourages a cultivation of happiness and vitality through living mindfully and committing to actions that are consistent with established values.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT uses cognitive and behavioural strategies to assist in regulating emotions. It is effective in the management of distress with life issues both past and present. DBT integrates Western and Eastern approaches and places emphasis on acceptance and change for the person.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A useful framework for engaging people in the context of change. MI is a communication style aimed at engaging clients in the change process. The role of the therapist is to elicit and strengthen change talk, develop a change plan, consolidate commitment whilst moving the client along the continuum of directing, guiding and following, This approach is particularly useful for individuals who are ambivalent about bringing change into their lives and continue to remain stuck in unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns. Engaging in the experience of MI with your therapist can be life changing.

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

IFS views each person as having access to all the psychological and emotional capital they require and rather than pathologising the individual.

Initially developed for clinicians working with eating disorders, IFS is a synthesis of two existing paradigms. The first is that multiplicity of mind is normal and helpful, and as such, our personality consists of various ‘subpersonalities’ as part of our ego or psyche. The second idea draws on the integrative mechanics of systems thinking, which suggests that systems are integrated and connected.

Play Therapy

This treatment is particularly useful for younger adults and children struggling with emotional and behavioural concerns. Toys, sand play and art is used to engage the younger person to help them safely express their concerns. Ultimately it aids to make sense of their challenges and bring about growth and change.

Contact Meeghan Bourne, or read more about Holus Health Counselling Practice Bowral and its Services.