Therapy for women dealing with anxiety, low mood, stress or low confidence. We help you understand what's affecting you and make changes that fit your life.
Women are about twice as likely as men to experience depression in their lifetime, and anxiety is also more common in women. Mental health is shaped by biological, psychological and social factors, and for women these often change across life stages.
Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and perimenopause.
Patterns such as self-criticism, worry and going over problems again and again.
Caring responsibilities, the mental load at home, work pressures and relationships.
Understanding how these factors fit together for you helps make sense of what's going on, and where to start.
Women come to see us for many reasons, including:
If you're pregnant or have had a baby in the last year, see postnatal depression and anxiety.
We look at what's going on for you across the biological, psychological and social parts of your life, and what you'd like to change.
This usually covers:
Practical strategies to manage worry, low mood and stress.
Challenging harsh self-talk and building confidence.
Speaking up, saying no and asking for what you need.
Adjusting to changes such as perimenopause, a new role or a change in relationships.
CBT is one of the most researched psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. Sessions draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT helps you work with unhelpful thinking patterns and manage stress. ACT helps you handle difficult thoughts and feelings while acting on what matters to you.
Viviana Cavuoto is a registered psychologist and registered nurse with more than 10 years' experience across public and private hospitals and local government Maternal and Child Health services.
To claim a Medicare rebate, ask your usual GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral to Viviana Cavuoto at Mentum Psychology. To find out more, read how to get a referral.
Common signs include worry that's hard to switch off, feeling tense or on edge, trouble sleeping, irritability, and physical symptoms such as a racing heart or tight chest. For some women, anxiety changes across the menstrual cycle, after having a baby or during perimenopause.
Hormonal changes during perimenopause are linked with anxiety and low mood for some women. We can help you manage these changes. It's also worth talking to your GP, as there may be medical options to consider.
You don't need to wait until things are bad. Many women come to sessions to get on top of stress or low confidence before it builds.
Sessions are mostly by video or phone. Some face-to-face sessions in Highett and Keysborough may be available on request, subject to room availability.
Yes. You can book privately. A GP referral is only needed to claim a Medicare rebate. Read how to get a referral.