Catherine is the Director and co-owner of Reach Life.
Catherine “Cat” is a Senior Mental Health OT and a seasoned psychotherapist in Australia. With a post-graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy, she has a passion for working with both adults and young people.
Catherine uses evidence–based psychological therapies to address the concerns her clients bring to her, with a special interest in ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and polyvagal theory. She works alongside her clients to create rich, values-based and meaningful lives.
With more than a decade of experience as a psychotherapist and EMDR in Australia, Catherine adeptly serves adults and young individuals across a diverse array of contexts. Catherine has a strong foundation in working with families, groups, and communities.
Blending occupational therapy and EMDR therapy in Australia with an emphasis on the body-mind connection
Due to her Occupational Therapy qualification, Catherine has a strong focus on behaviour and meaningful occupation. She combines this with her psychotherapy training, which allows her to use psychodynamic principles such as attachment theory to formulate and gain a deeper understanding of her clients and what might underpin current suffering.
Catherine also has a post–graduate qualification in narrative therapy and is a trained yoga teacher. She believes incorporating and paying attention to the body-mind connection is an integral part of the work she does with her clients. On top of that, she is an experienced supervisor and takes supervision clients.
Catherine works with people experiencing depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar, psychosis, eating disorders, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, people going through life transitions, perinatal mental health issues including post natal depression and anxiety, emotional dysregulation, grief, perfectionism, Autism, ADHD, and more — and she strives to look beyond these labels.
Catherine is renowned for her distinctive contributions to community health, her impactful engagements with families, and her transformative group interventions. She helps her clients overcome life challenges, from managing occupational stress to navigating emotional turmoil. With her years of experience, she’s more than equipped to guide you on your journey. Catherine is able to offer rebates under medicare working with Mental Health Care Plans (MHC
“As a therapist, I strive to see the whole person. I believe that people are not broken or damaged, but sometimes, we need a little help to find our way. I believe in helping people thrive.”
Reach Life and Catherine are dedicated to helping Australians of all ages and abilities lead fulfilling lives. With a team of very experienced psychotherapists in Australia, we’re ready to find your perfect match in mental health care and support. Our team is only a call away.
FAQs
What is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist, often referred to as an OT, is a healthcare professional trained to support people in overcoming physical, mental, or developmental challenges that hinder their ability to carry out daily activities. They use a holistic approach, considering all aspects of a person’s life and promoting their well-being.
In Australia, an Occupational Therapist, like our clinicians at Reach Life, undergo rigorous training to develop a deep understanding of mental and physical health. They’re equipped to work with individuals of all abilities and needs, ensuring everyone can lead a fulfilling life.
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
Occupational Therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals improve their functional abilities, allowing them to engage more fully in daily activities and enjoy a higher quality of life.
A mental health occupational therapist (MHOT) in Australia, has additional endorsement with OT Australia and Medicare. They may, for example, work with a person struggling with mental health challenges to develop coping strategies, improve their social skills, and regain a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. They consider an individual’s needs, abilities, environment, and goals to develop personalised therapeutic approaches. They deliver focussed psychological strategies (FSP) and psychological interventions.
How does occupational therapy differ from physiotherapy?
While both occupational therapy and physiotherapy aim to improve a person’s functional abilities, their focus differs. Physical therapy primarily addresses issues related to movement, strength and physical pain. On the other hand, occupational therapy takes a more holistic view, considering not just physical but also mental, emotional, social, and environmental factors that may impact a person’s ability to participate in daily life.
How does occupational therapy (OT) differ from psychology?
In terms of psychology, occupational therapy differs from psychology in its focus and approach. Occupational therapy aims to enhance daily functioning by addressing physical, cognitive and emotional aspects, while psychology primarily delves into mental and emotional well-being, offering counselling and therapy. While both fields contribute to overall health, occupational therapy focuses on practical, real-world improvements, while psychology explores the complexities of the mind and emotions.
What kind of clients do psychotherapists in Australia work with?
Psychotherapists like Catherine can work with anyone with a mental illness or struggle that impacts on the activities, roles and daily functions. This could be NDIS participants with a psychosocial disability, or adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, OCD, personality disorders, complex PTSD and more.
In particular, Catherine has extensive experience working with adults and young people in diverse settings. Family, group and community work is a strong suit of Catherine’s. Psychotherapists use evidence based therapies to treat mental illness.
What is the role of a psychotherapist in Australia?
A psychotherapist employs various therapeutic techniques to help individuals manage and overcome emotional, mental, and sometimes physical challenges. This can include depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, and relationship difficulties.
A mental health occupational therapist in Australia, like Catherine from Reach Life, uses their mental health experience and psychotherapy training in conjunction with occupational therapy principles. For instance, Catherine employs evidence-based psychological interventions, such as EMDR therapy in Australia, to assist her clients in addressing their individual concerns.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy, often called “talk therapy”, involves discussing your thoughts and feelings with a trained therapist to better understand and manage your problems. It can help you change thought and behaviour patterns that have a negative impact on your life, leading to personal growth, better mental health, and improved quality of life.
At Reach Life, we use evidence-based psychotherapy approaches, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, DBT and CBT, to help our clients create rich, values-based, and meaningful lives. As leading mental health professionals in Australia, we’re passionate about delivering the best care to our clients.
