Dr Elizabeth Puhakka – Principal Psychologist
Elizabeth is Line of Symmetry’s founding principal clinical psychologist.
With over 18 years clinical experience in the field, Elizabeth has developed special interest in relationships and trauma. Elizabeth has worked in Private practice settings for the past 11 years, founding Line of Symmetry in 2013. She holds full registration with APHRA and holds a clinical endorsement.
Elizabeth has a PhD in the field of Clinical psychology from the University of Queensland in the area of parenting skills and behaviours and parent-child relationships. She is experienced in working with a variety of clinical presentations including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, peri/post-natal depression, substance misuse, domestic violence and relationships – whether the relationship is with a marriage partner, children, or work colleagues.
Elizabeth is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and continues each year with regular professional development activities to provide her clients the most up to date treatments available. Approaches that Elizabeth has been trained in include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, EMDR, DBT skills, emotion-focused therapy for couples, Circle of Security Parenting, Triple P Parenting and Mindfulness.
Individuals interested in undergoing treatment with Elizabeth can self-refer privately, or alternatively they can be referred through their GP.
GPs can send a referral to Elizabeth through medical objects.
To arrange an appointment, please contact Line of Symmetry or alternatively you can book online here:
Groups
Elizabeth also runs group training programs at Line of Symmetry. Monday evenings she runs the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group (mindfulness skills, interpersonal skills, emotion regulation skills and distress tolerance).
Elizabeth also runs an attachment-based Circle of Security Parenting skills group twice a year. More information on the DBT skills groups can be found here. If you’d like to be contacted about our next Circle of Security Parenting classes, please use our contact form.
Workshops
In addition to providing psychological intervention to individuals and groups, Elizabeth is available for external workshops and talks to small and large groups on DBT skills or Circle of Security parent training.
To arrange a workshop, small or large group seminar please contact us on our contact page.
Referrers
If you wish to refer any of your patients on to Elizabeth for psychological intervention, please send through medical objects or fax 3219 0245 or contact us via our contact page.
Supervision
Elizabeth is also an approved AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia supervisor for all pathways to registration as a Psychologist, including the Clinical Registrar programme.