Clinical Psychologist/Director
Dr Thamizan Tucker
BA (Hons), D.Psych (Clinical), MAPS, FCCLP
I am a registered Clinical Psychologist and have been providing psychological assessment and treatment to young people and adults for more than 20 years, in both public and private settings. I began my clinical work at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre in Fitzroy in 1997,and have developed a very flexible approach to working with people from many different backgrounds and with many different presenting problems. I opened my private practice in 2003, in Patterson Lakes and Langwarrin, and worked from Langpark Medical Centre in Langwarrin for almost 20 years. I enjoyed working in a general practice setting and have experience in helping people work through many different problems, including but not limited to: mood disorders (anxiety and depression including post-natal depression), grief and loss, alcohol and other drug problems, eating disorders, relationship problems, life transitions, low self-esteem, parenting challenges, and personality disorders. A major area of interest for me is complex trauma, with a particular interest in workplace stress and trauma experienced by emergency services personnel and healthcare professionals. I am excited to soon be offering group programs for emergency services personnel and healthcare professionals to support the invaluable work they do for our communities.
I am excited to have opened my own clinic in September 2022 and have created a peaceful, non-clinical space from which to provide individual and group therapies. A program of complimentary services is being developed to offer wholistic mental health care and wellbeing.
Training
I completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, both at The University of Melbourne. I have also undertaken many years of training and professional development in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, complex trauma, and mindfulness-based meditative methods. EMDR therapy can also be used to treat a range of presenting issues, including but not limited to the treatment of trauma.
Through my own personal experiences and health journey, I have also developed a strong knowledge base around the role of nutrition, healthy lifestyle and alternative medicine in optimal mental health.
Qualifications and Professional Membership
Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours), University of Melbourne, 1992-1994
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Melbourne, 1996-2002
Full Member of the Australian Psychological Society, MAPS - 108789
Fellow of APS Clinical College, FCCLP
Full Registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) – PSY0001121635
Registered Medicare Provider of Clinical Psychology Services - 2688245K
ABN 53 643 860 995
Private Practice
I have been in private practice since 2003, and am enjoying practicing from my new clinic in Somerville. My aim is to provide a safe and comfortable space where young people (aged 13 and above) and adults can explore their inner worlds and better understand their current situation, free from judgement. For most people, the desire for immediate symptom relief and problem-solving is the objective that brings them along, usually following a referral from their general practitioner. After an initial assessment period where I get to know more about you as a person and how your experiences are affecting you currently, solution-focused interventions are often appropriate to provide some relief. For many people, there is also a desire to understand why the symptoms occurred and how to prevent a relapse. Insight-oriented psychotherapy provides an opportunity to explore and better understand your personality style and how your life experiences have shaped and formed who you are today. Some people stay in treatment for a few weeks and others stay in therapy for many years. There is no “one size fits all” approach and we will work out what is the best way to work together to achieve your goals.
After an initial assessment period, I will offer you a regular weekly or fortnightly appointment time. Medicare rebates are available for up to ten visits per calendar year following referral from your GP. Once your Medicare sessions have been used, you may continue sessions privately. If you have private health cover with extras including psychology, some rebate will be available. Please read the Practice Policy document in the Client Information link at the bottom of the page to find out more about how I work, fees (including cancellation fees) and how the Medicare referral system works.
Some of the life challenges I can help you with:
Anxiety and depression, including post-natal depression
Grief and loss
Adjustment to change (work, relationship, stage of life, injury, illness)
Trauma (including childhood trauma and abuse, workplace trauma)
Stress management and improving work/life balance
Substance abuse disorders
Eating disorders and body image issues
Personality disorders
Relationship issues
Fees
Medicare session - $240
Medicare rebate - $137.05
Out-of-pocket expense per session - $102.95
**Medicare rebates can be processed at the end of each session, with payments made to your bank account usually on the same day.
Private session - $240
Private health fund rebates may be available with extras cover.