About
Our Staff
Jen (she/her/hers) - (Director & Senior Clinician)
Hi, I am Jen, the director and owner of Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba. After completing my undergraduate degree in Social Science, I began my career working with young people in both the school and drug and alcohol sectors. After several years, I headed back to university in Adelaide to complete my Master of Social Work, before moving back to Toowoomba and continuing work in the community mental health sector. When an opportunity presented itself to work in a secondary school, I jumped at the chance and spent over 6 and a half years as a senior school counsellor. After successful completion of my Mental Health Social Worker Accreditation, I was looking for a new and exciting challenge, leading to a move into private practice, culminating in the foundation of Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba.
I have a special interest in adolescent mental health and working collaboratively with families and broader systems. I understand the profound impact mental-ill health can have on all aspects of life and am incredibly passionate about working with people during challenging times. In all aspects of my work, I hope to empower people and assist to facilitate meaningful change. My training and experience in the sector has afforded me a range of skills in the treatment of many mental health concerns, and I have a particular interest in suicide prevention and OCD related presentations.
The approach to my work is holistic, humanistic, person-centred and based on the inherent strengths of each person. My social work background also positions collaborative care as a high priority, in recognising and responding to the broader implications of mental-ill health and its impact on social connections, family, work and education. I have trained extensively in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Further, I have also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based treatment for trauma related presentations. EMDR is now offered as a service, for appropriate presentations.
As Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba enters its second year of operation, I am excited to expand and welcome a new member to the team!
Lilli (She/hers/her) - (Senior Clinician)
Hi, I’m Lilli an Accredited Mental health Social Worker providing therapeutic support here at Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba. My journey in the mental health sector began after obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work, initially working for the department of Women and Children, then working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service sectors. Here, I honed my skills in mental health case management, fostering a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by diverse and rural communities.
I then spent some time publishing research findings related to the voices of young people regarding their access to local services and improvements of service delivery. Having transitioned to the public mental health sector I have predominantly worked with children, young people and their families therapeutically. My interest lies in addressing Complex-PTSD, anxiety and adjustment noting training in phased-based treatment for trauma, and trauma informed modalities including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
In addition to my interest in trauma-focused care, I have a keen interest in assisting young people in navigating broader systems, enhancing their ability to pursue their goals and overcome mental health challenges. This also extends to a special interest in sexual health for all ages, encompassing STIs and STI-specific therapeutic support, as well as intimacy particularly in the aftermath of trauma.
Equipped with therapeutic modalities such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and EMDR, I tailor my interventions to meet the unique needs of the people I work with. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can foster a sense of safety and security during times of difficulty.
With an empathetic, non-judgemental and person-centred approach, I am here to support and guide others in overcoming obstacles, fostering resilience and engaging in evidence-based treatment. Together, we can navigate the path to healing and growth.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW)
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW) are registered providers with Medicare Australia. They are qualified mental health clinicians who position themselves as “change agents”, working from a systems and whole-of-person perspective. AMHSW have been assessed on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having specialist mental health expertise.
AMHSW are experts in complexity and have specialised training in dealing with complex individual, family and social issues. They have skills and knowledge in assessing, diagnosing and ameliorating mental health concerns, and their associated psychosocial problems.
Like other allied health professionals, such as psychologists, AMHSW’s use a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions in helping people with presenting mental health disorders. Of particular importance to AMHSW is the lived experience and skills of those seeing support, and of their family and loved ones.
To maintain registration status, AMHSW must meet yearly requirements of the AASW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program specifically relevant to mental health.
Your Appointment
It can be daunting coming to your first appointment, and it is very normal to feel a little nervous, especially if you haven’t had any counselling or talking therapy in the past.
At Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba, we hope to welcome you with a warm and friendly atmosphere to ease any nerves and make your first and subsequent appointments, as comfortable as possible.
How to make an appointment?
Just like a GP or other health service, an initial phone call allows you to book the first appointment. During this call we will take some basic details, including contact and health care details, as well as some information about who is being referred.
What do I do when I arrive to my appointment?
When you arrive to the first appointment, you are welcome to sit in the waiting room and complete some initial paperwork. This paperwork is brief and will give you all the information about confidentiality and your responsibilities. For subsequent appointments, you are welcome to sit in the waiting room and wait for your appointment to start.
What happens when my appointment begins, and can I bring someone in with me?
At the time of your appointment, you will be welcomed by your practitioner, who will greet you and take you into the office. You are welcome to invite a loved one, parent, carer, friend or support person into your session, or you can attend this alone. We do ask that parents accompany their young person (under 16) to their appointment and remain on location for the duration of the session.
What happens during the first appointment?
The first appointment is about understanding how we can help, getting to know you, and building a trusting relationship. Some people can be worried about not knowing what to say and this can make talking even more difficult. Luckily, the staff at Thoughtful Therapy Toowoomba are trained to support you through these conversations and have a range of strategies to ensure the time spent is meaningful.
What happens after my first appointment and how will I know if I need to come back?
At the end of your first appointment, we will provide you with a summary of we think might be causing or impacting the presenting problems. Together, a plan will be made for what will be helpful and any arrangements for a forward scheduled appointment will be made at this time.
Some people like to start with weekly appointments, whilst others prefer fortnightly or even every three weeks. Whatever the plan, we will work with you so that you are comfortable. We will also work to provide some practical strategies you can take away and use between appointments in tackling any challenges that may arise.
How long are appointments?
The first appointment ranges between 50 to 60 minutes in length as we like to take the time to get to know you as best we can. Appointments hereafter typically last for 50 minutes
What happens at the end of my appointment?
At the end of the appointment, you are welcome to leave the office and return to your day. All payments are completed via the Auto-Payment systems (see Fees & Referral section for details).
What if I can't make my appointment or need to change its time?
If you are unable to attend your appointment or need to change its time, please contact us as soon as possible to make other arrangements. Less than 48 business hours' notice will incur a cancellation fee. If you do not attend your appointment, a non-attendance fee also applies (see Fees & Referrals for further details).
Get in touch
Address
Suite 6/4 Mylne Toowoomba QLD 4350
PO Box 6476, Clifford Gardens QLD 4350
Contacts
Phone: 0431 534 981*
Fax: +61737402360
admin@thoughtfultherapytwb.com
Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
*This number is not monitored after practice hours.