Dr Loretta Bell - Relationship Therapist & Psychologist

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I am intrigued by relationships - how they work, how they form, how they heal, and how they can satisfy enrich, and anchor people in secure bonds...

My Qualifications

I am a endorsed as a Clinical & Counselling Psychologist and registered with AHPRA. I am a member of the Australian Psychological Association & the Australian Association of Psychologists.

I have a Doctorate in Psychology (Counselling), A Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor of Letter, & a Bachelor of Arts.

My first training in couple therapy was a year-long internship and training at Relationships Australia Victoria in 2001. Since then I have undertaken many long and short training courses and professional development. Including undertaking training in the three levels of Stan Tatkin's PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), the three levesl of the EFCT (Emotion Focussed Couple Therapy) Externship, the three levels of the Gottman Method training & several trainings in Collaborative Couple Therapy (Dan Wile). I have also completed the two levels of EMDR training (Eye movement and Desensitization & and reprocessing) and Several Schema Therapy Trainings.

I regularly attend other training and professional development.

My Background

I am a clinical and counselling psychologist and I have over two decades of counselling experience. Through the years I have worked in various community settings as well as in private practice, counselling couples, individuals, and groups. I was the Program Leader in Couple Therapy Training and coordinated the Specialist Course in Couple Therapy, and other courses and programs at Relationships Australia, Victoria. This was a Master's level program for trainee couples therapists.

My Style

My personal style as a counsellor is dynamic and interactive, respectful, compassionate, and when appropriate, tempered with humour.

I use an integrative style of therapy utilising a variety of counselling modalities to help clients who are experiencing interpersonal difficulties, life changes, depression, anxiety, recovery from trauma, separation, and affairs.

I believe that helping individuals and couples to act within their personal value system and gain a cohesive, but flexible sense of self helps people to negotiate difficulties and to lead fulfilling lives. I also believe that couples that form a securely attached relationship that is responsive to each other's needs fare much better in relationships.