ABOUT

Sunshine Psychology in Armadale is a private practice that has been helping people since 2009.  We help individuals, couples, children, men and women.

TEAM

Liz Smalley

PSYCHOLOGIST, RESEARCHER & AUTHOR

I have experience in supporting people to work through

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Loss

• Relationships

• Trauma and PTSD

• Parental Estrangement

• Autism

• Disability

• Carers

• Abuse

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I see:

• Children 7 years and older

• Teenagers

• Adults

• Couples

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I have been counselling individuals, couples and children for over 10 years.  I have a special interest in helping couples work on the things they struggle with. Communication difficulties come up quite often, if not always!  Loving each other isn't the problem usually, but rather not being able to understand each other and feeling understood. 

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Sometimes communication with a partner or others, in general, is influenced by previous experiences when growing up or as an adult.  Trauma may play a part in the way people react in relationships.

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Another area of interest is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  My master's research investigated the experiences of mothers of children with autism and behavioural challenges, and I found that 31% met the criteria for PTSD.  As a parent of an adult with autism, intellectual disability and behavioural challenges, I am working on finding ways to support carers that are affordable and accessible.  I am interested in trauma recovery which may be the result of childhood adverse events, abuse, emotional and physical, accidents, injuries, medical experiences and relationship breakdowns to name a few.

I have worked with children at Project Kids at Murdoch University, Directions Disability Support Services and Cockburn Integrated Health.  I have worked with young adults in the UWA counselling service.  I have extensive personal and professional experience supporting people with a disability and their carers.​

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EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Master of Psychology (Counselling) (2019)

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (2015)

Murdoch University

Minors: Health Psychology, Developmental Psychology

Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy

Australian Institute of Family Counselling (2010)

Small Business Management Certificate IV

Northam TAFE external studies (2008)

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TRAINING

Born Survivors Suicide Prevention Program Facilitator (2015)

Bridging the Couples Chasm Level 1 (2014)

The Art & Science of Sex (2014)

How to Drug Proof your Kids Program Facilitator (2013)

Project Kids Murdoch University (2014)  Supervisor – Associate Professor Dr Corinne Reid

Berkley Puppet Interview - researching the use of puppets when interviewing children.

Paul Smalley

NATUROPATH

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We love working together.  Paul and I have been married for over 35 years and have 3 adult children.    

Find out more about Paul and how he can help you with naturopathy, needling (formerly acupuncture) and herbal medicine here.

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