Dr Cate Bearsley-Smith

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST   |   EMDR CONSULTANT   |   SUPERVISOR

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
EMDR CONSULTANT
SUPERVISOR

DPsych (Clinical Child, Adolescent, & Family) BSc(Hons) BSc BA MAPS FCCLP

I am a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Consultant and Psychology Board of Australia Approved Supervisor.  In 2003 I graduated from my Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Child, Adolescent and Family) degree from Latrobe University.  I worked in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and Monash University, for several years before moving into private practice.  At Monash University I was a Senior Lecturer engaged in clinical research into adolescent mental health and teaching psychological science, primarily to medical students.  

I have three professional passions.  The first is providing EMDR Consultation and Supervision to therapists/mental health practitioners, which I do via online platforms to be accessible.  Second, I enjoy providing EMDR Therapy to clients through my private practice in regional Victoria.  Third, I love lifelong learning about psychology, particularly about trauma, attachment, human development, EMDR, and adjunct approaches.  

Within the EMDR domain, I have particular interest in the assessment and treatment of complex trauma, dissociation, preverbal and attachment trauma.  I love assisting consultees with case conceptualisation and intervention planning, particularly using parts work, attachment theory, the Adaptive Information Processing model, intersubjectivity, and other wonderful frameworks as helpful.    

If you are a mental health practitioner looking for support, guidance and development on your EMDR journey, I would love to hear from you.  

Qualifications and professional associations

  • Doctor of Psychology (child, adolescent and family)
  • Bachelor of Science Honours (First Class) – APS Award recipient
  • Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Pharmacology)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics)
  • Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
    – Accredited Consultant
    – Accredited Practitioner
  • Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
    – Clinical endorsement
    – Approved Supervisor
  • Australian Psychological Society (APS)
    – Member (MAPS)
    – Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists (FCCLP)

Publications and research

Wiggins, A., Oakley Browne, M., Bearsley-Smith, C., Villanueva, E. (2010). Depressive Disorders among Adolescents Managed in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Australasian Psychiatry: Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. 18. 134-141.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40897150_Depressive_Disorders_among_Adolescents_Managed_in_a_Child_and_Adolescent_Mental_Health_Service

Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley Browne, M. (2009) Research Grant – Does Interpersonal Psychotherapy improve clinical care for adolescents with depression attending a rural child and adolescent mental health service? Beyond Blue Victorian Centre of Excellence, $52,066.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/research-projects/research-projects/does-interpersonal-psychotherapy-improve-clinical-care-for-adolescents-with-depression-attending-a-rural-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-service

Bearsley-Smith, C., Chesters, J., Sellick, K., Francis, K. (2009). Preparing for a Clinical Trial in a Rural Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Australasian Psychiatry: Bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. 16(6). 457-458.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23498808_Preparing_for_a_Clinical_Trial_in_a_Rural_Child_and_Adolescent_Mental_Health_Service

Bearsley-Smith, C., Sellick, K., Chesters, J., Francis, K. (2008). Treatment Content in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Development of the Treatment Recording Sheet. Administration and policy in mental health. 35(5). 423-435.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23148878_Treatment_Content_in_Child_and_Adolescent_Mental_Health_Services_Development_of_the_Treatment_Recording_Sheet

Boyd, C., Hayes, L., Wilson, R., Bearsley-Smith, C. (2008). Harnessing the social capital of rural communities for youth mental health: An asset-based community development framework. The Australian Journal of Rural Health. 16(4). 189-193.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51426068_Harnessing_the_social_capital_of_rural_communities_for_youth_mental_health_An_asset-based_community_development_framework

Bearsley-Smith, C., Bond, L., Littlefield, L., Thomas, L. (2008). The psychosocial profile of adolescent risk of homelessness. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 17. 226-234.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5550403_The_psychosocial_profile_of_adolescent_risk_of_homelessness

Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley Browne, M., Sellick, K., Villanueva, E., Chesters, J., Francis, K., Reddy, P. (2007). Does Interpersonal Psychotherapy improve clinical care for adolescents with depression attending a rural child and adolescent mental health service? Study protocol for a cluster randomised feasibility trial. BioMed Central Psychiatry. 7. 53.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5930049_Does_Interpersonal_Psychotherapy_improve_clinical_care_for_adolescents_with_depression_attending_a_rural_child_and_adolescent_mental_health_service_Study_protocol_for_a_cluster_randomised_feasibility_

Bearsley-Smith, C. (Dec 2007). Adapting family therapy for step-families. InPsych. 29(6). 17.

Bearsley, C., Cummins, R.A. (1999). No place called home: Life quality and purpose of homeless youths. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless. 8(4). 207–226.

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021340020431

Contact Cate