Bsc Applied Psychology, MA psych

About Laura

I am a psychologist and supervisor based in Fitzroy, Melbourne. I have been practicing for 10 years and hold an endorsement in clinical psychology. Prior to private practice I had a background in community mental health, working with clients with a history of childhood trauma, addictions, LGBTQIA+ clients, families, as well as providing individual therapy for various concerns across the life-span. I provide both more on-going therapy, as well as more focused support around a particular issue or difficult period and see adults, as well as adolescents and children (6+) in my practice. For clients who wish to work in their mother tongue, I also provide appointments in German and Finnish.

In addition to therapeutic work, I provide supervision for both emerging and established therapists, and those seeking to obtain endorsement (currently open for new supervisees).

Areas of work and approach:

I specialise in the treatment of eating disorders and other food/body-image related difficulties, as well as work on identity, self-esteem, attachment, depression and anxiety across the life-span. I also however see many clients coming for various other mental health and life-related concerns (e.g. trauma, grief and loss, stress and burn-out, life transitions, OCD and work on reducing alcohol use). I have experience supporting clients from various cultural backgrounds and work a lot with those from the LGBTQIA+ community (including children/youth navigating journeys around gender) and practice from a place of respect and honouring diversity.

My therapeutic approach is warm and holistic, and tailored to each individual, with a focus on good listening and forming a collaborative relationship from which to grow understanding, clarity and different ways of being. I predominantly work with Psychodynamic talking therapy, Schema Therapy and Emotion-focused Therapy, and my work is also influenced by work on cultivating mindful presence and self-compassion and exploration of existential concerns. Each person is met individually in the context of their lives and needs from therapy as I believe that change in therapy happens from a place where people feel safe, heard and able to develop the courage to express and be themselves.

“It is a joy to be hidden, and a disaster not to be found”

D.W Winnicott

You can contact me below (including for supervision) through my online inquiry form or phone. I usually try to arrange a brief initial call where you can ask me questions.

Services

Consulting rooms for in person appointments are located in Fitzroy (with some after-hours appointments). I also provide some appointments over Telehealth. My private practice days are currently Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Some of the areas I work with are:

  • Mood and anxiety disorders (including OCD) in adulthood, adolescence and childhood
  • Social Anxiety, Shyness and struggles with social confidence
  • Making changes in alcohol use
  • Life-related stresses and transition points
  • Eating disorders and body-image-related issues
  • Trauma including childhood trauma
  • Self-esteem/Shame
  • LGBTQIA+ (including assisting children/young people in exploring gender identity) – other areas where I have more specific experience is around navigating the impact of cultural and religious influences on identity/shame.
  • Women’s health (e.g. managing Endometriosis/PMDD)
  • Cultural adjustment/conflict
  • Other existential concerns & finding meaning and purpose

Some of the therapeutic approaches I use and am informed by:

Psychodynamic Therapy, Schema Therapy, Emotion-focused Therapy, Some Cognitive-behavioural approaches (e.g. CBT-E, Exposure-response prevention work on OCD), .

Eating disorder specific:

Psychodynamic Therapy (incl. adolescent focused therapy), Interpersonal Therapy for BN and BED, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating disorders (CBT-E), Family-based Treatment (FBT) for AN.

Supervision

Supervision is such an important support to therapeutic work and professional support and growth. As a supervisor, I bring experience from working both in service settings, a private hospital as well as independent private practice, and knowledge around treatment of many concerns. I supervise more generally (and also for area of practice endorsement), as well as provide more specific supervision in different areas e.g. work with LGBTQIA+ clients, children, and eating disorder treament.

I have a collaborative, strength-based and reflective approach in supervision and a strong interest in supporting emerging therapists in their professional growth and career path alongside developing strong reflective practices skills.

If you would like to arrange an initial call about supervision, contact me through the details below (I have current availability for supervisees).

Fees

  • Standard Individual Consultation fee 255 AUD.
  • Medicare rebates (145.25) can be accessed with a valid referral (Mental health care or Eating disorder management plan)
  • Private Health funds may cover some costs depending on the plan and cover
  • NDIS funding may also be used to cover the cost of appointments (self-funded or plan managed)

Contact

Laura Kemppainen (Psychologist)

0432 867 845

laurakpsychology@gmail.com

For further inquiries and questions, contact me via the above or through sending a message via the form below.

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ABN 24 19 329 376

Copyright Laura Kemppainen (Psychologist) – All rights reserved