Emma Smadbeck

Emma (she/her) is a registered psychologist (clinical psychology registrar). She has a strong belief in the crucial role of early intervention on development of positive mental health later in life and works from a strengths-based, neuro-affirming, perspective.

Emma is passionate about working with children and their families using evidence-based therapeutic interventions. She works to create a safe, respectful, and welcoming therapeutic space where she focuses on understanding each child’s unique strengths, needs, and ways of experiencing the world. Emma works to support children to build confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, and emotional understanding/strategies to help them through any challenges they may be experiencing and to help them be their most authentic selves.  Emma takes a holistic, systems-based, approach; focusing not just on the child, but also on strengthening the environments around them to help them thrive. Along side individual sessions with child clients, she works closely with parents, schools and other health professionals to best support her clients.

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Emma has over 10 years experience providing individual, family, and group based interventions and has always had a keen interest in working with children. In addition to significant experience working with children outside of the therapy space, she has trained at the Sydney Children’s Hospital (Randwick) and at The Child Behaviour Research Clinic, Sydney, a specialised research clinic focused on children with defiant behaviour.

Emma uses a number of different, evidence-based, therapeutic approaches including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), solution focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, Positive Psychotherapy, and Parent Management Training. Treatment and supports are tailored to each individuals preferences and needs. Emma works flexibly and frequently integrates play into therapy to help support engagement and keep therapy accessible.

Emma has experience working with children/adolescents and their families who are experiencing difficulties related to a variety of different concerns and presentations

(see below for a non-exhaustive list of presentations Emma has experience with):

– Anxiety/Phobias
– Depression
– Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
– Strategies to support Executive Functioning
– Oppositional defiant disorder
– Social skills challenges
– Autism
– Behavioural issues
– Sleep problems
– Acquired head injury
– OCD
– Toileting difficulties such as enuresis and encopresis

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Emma is also currently working towards completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the ANU. Emma’s PhD research focuses on ways to improve psychological wellbeing in adolescents through a positive psychology framework. Her research has been presented all around Australia and internationally through the International Positive Psychology Association. She integrates her research into practice by focusing on a strengths based approach to therapy and treatment.

Outside of clinic and research work, you will find Emma scuba diving, skiing, taking walks with her dog, dancing or playing a board game with friends.

Availability:
Unfortunately, Emma's books are full and her waitlist is currently CLOSED due to high demand.  National Capital Paediatrics has a list of other psychologist they can refer you to if you contact reception.

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Additional information on Emma Smadbeck and her profile can be found at:

https://emmasmadbeckpsychology.com