Charmaine Morse

Note: Charmaine Morse is no longer practising, visit the contact page for more information

Charmaine Morse is a registered psychologist with ten-plus years of experience working with adults undergoing a diverse range of psychological difficulties. These include managing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, grief and loss reactions, and stress.

Charmaine Morse is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)/Psychology Board of Australia, and holds memberships with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the APS College of Counselling Psychologists.

Charmaine Morse is a registered provider with Medicare, Workcover Authority, Transport Accident Commission, Department of Veteran Affairs and various Employee Assistance Programs. She is also trained to deliver onsite Critical Incident Management to local businesses and their employees following a traumatic incident in the workplace.

Over the years Charmaine Morse has worked in both private and community mental health sectors. These include, The Geelong Clinic/Healthscope for a period of four years. During this time as the resident psychologist she organised group programs for both inpatients and outpatients, facilitated anxiety and depression groups, and at times, co-facilitated the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program (PTSD) for veterans.

Further to this, she facilitated the Self Help Anxiety and Depression Education Sessions (SHADES) program at Barwon Health/MindlinX providing an eight-week psycho-educational course for people experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Throughout this period she also maintained a private practice.

Away from work, Charmaine writes a regular light-hearted column for a local Geelong publication, Ruby, which is designed for women living in the Geelong area and beyond. On the more serious side of publishing, Charmaine's Master's research has been published in Australia and the USA, in both journal articles and as a book chapter.

Ruby Magazine - rubymagazine.com.au

Why Come to Counselling?

People come to counselling for various reasons. Usually, they have had an experience that has left them feeling distressed, overwhelmed and struggling to cope.

The psychologist can assist the individual to deal more effectively with various problems and overcome emotional issues. A variety of evidenced-based therapeutic approaches are utilised which are tailored to meet the specific needs, and circumstances of the individual.

The psychologist can also help people develop useful techniques and coping strategies to function better. For example, when people experience significant life transitions, difficult relationships, grief and loss, trauma and developmental issues.

What can be expected from counselling?

The psychologist assists the individual in understanding their problem in order to be in a better position to manage their recovery. Further, the client’s own strengths, resources and coping skills are reinforced in order to contribute to their own wellness on a long-term basis.

Charmaine Morse uses an integrative approach working within a cognitive behavioural therapy framework with evidence-based treatment interventions.

Evidence-based Treatment Interventions include:
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which is a relatively short-term, focused approach to the treatment of many types of emotional and behavioural problems, such as depression and anxiety.
• Trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy aims to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve the quality of life for those people who have experienced traumatic events.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals accept that which is out of their control, while committing to action that will improve their quality of life.
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) has the goals of symptom relief and improving interpersonal functioning.
• Schema Therapy is designed to help the client break negative patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that typically begin early in life.
• Charmaine Morse is trained in delivering the Sleep Better Without Drugs (Dr. David Morawetz) program, a behavioural treatment program developed to help with insomnia.
• She is also trained to deliver emergency assistance and support onsite (Critical Incident Management), to employees following a traumatic incident in the workplace.

Psychologists specialise in human behavior and work toward assisting people to understand how and why they think, feel, behave and react in the way they do.

• Psychologists are health professionals who have undergone a rigorous program of undergraduate and post-graduate education and supervised training.
• Psychologists are trained in diagnosis, assessment and testing, and treatment planning.
• Psychologists assist clients in reducing distress, behavioural and psychological problems, promote rational thinking and behaviour, and foster good mental health.
• Psychologists use a range of evidence-based treatments such as, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Schema Therapy.

Your initial appointment is usually arranged over the telephone where consultation fees and the rebates available to you are discussed.

At the first session, Charmaine Morse spends time assessing and exploring your presenting issue and what you would like to achieve during your time in therapy. Subsequent sessions are tailored to address your individual needs and working toward resolving your presenting issue.

You may see Charmaine Morse as a private client without a referral. In this instance, you may be eligible for a rebate through your private health care insurer depending on your level of cover.

Alternatively, you may obtain a referral by consulting your doctor and obtaining a Mental Health Care Plan.

What is a Mental Health Care Plan?

If eligible, you may receive up to 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions in a calendar year though Medicare. You may obtain a referral from your doctor – general practitioner or psychiatrist – in the form of a Mental Health Care Plan and this plan will entitle you to recover a percentage of the counselling fee.

To obtain a referral you will need to make an appointment with your doctor who will assess your eligibility. Your doctor will complete a Mental Health Care Plan if she/he considers that you would benefit from seeing a psychologist.

When making the appointment with your doctor it is advisable to request an extended consultation and advise the receptionist that you will be requesting a referral to a psychologist. Your doctor will need extra time to assess your situation, discuss the plan with you, and complete the required paperwork.

As a registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society Charmaine Morse adheres to a comprehensive Code of Ethics and a series of Ethical Guidelines.

Under these guidelines, you can expect that:

• You will be treated with respect.
• You will receive a clear explanation of the service you will receive.
• Your consent for any service will be sought prior to the service commencing.
• You will receive an explanation about the nature and limits of confidentiality surrounding the service.
• You will be clear about the goals that you are working toward.
• You will receive competent and professional service.
• You will receive a clear statement about fees and rebates.
• An estimate of the number of sessions required to achieve your goals will be discussed.
• You will receive a service free from sexual harassment.
• You will be shown respect for your cultural background.

No longer practising

Charmaine Morse is no longer practising or taking appointments.
Please contact via: info@charmainemorse.com.au if required.

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