About Luisa Dal Molin.
I am a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society APS. I am also a Psychology Board approved supervisor.
I have years of experience and training to assist you. The following questions and answers, FAQ style, provide some background information about my experience and areas of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I choose to become a psychologist?
I am the daughter of Italian migrants who grew up in Italy during the second world war. During my childhood I heard many stories about the impact and terrible consequences of those times on people. As a young adult, I decided that I wanted to make a difference in the world. Initially I thought I could do this through working in organisations, but over time I realised that I could make the biggest difference working directly with individuals. This led me to the path of working as a psychologist and psychotherapist.
What other life skills and experience do I bring to my work?
I began working in the Australian Public Service and worked at the middle management level for a number of years. Areas included Human Resource Management as well as policy development and program management. I have a good sense of what it's like to work in the APS.
As a child of immigrant parents, I have a personal understanding of living in dual cultures and how challenging it can be adapting from one to the other.
I worked for quite some time at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre and I have a deep understanding of the impact of rape and other forms of abuse on individuals. I understand the vulnerable determination required to deal with such experiences. Working in the ACT Drug and Alcohol Service has given me an understanding of addiction.
What keeps me motivated?
I am fascinated by the human mind and our capacity to self reflect and change. I feel a deep sense of honour in 'holding' my clients' painful experiences and the trust given to me to do that. There is a deep personal reward in seeing people make meaningful changes in their lives and to be able to share in their journeys.
What is my professional training as a psychologist and psychotherapist?
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) [Psychology Major] (Australian National University, 1998)
- Diploma in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (Australian Centre for Integrative Studies, 2007)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Canberra, 2015)
What about my professional development?
My experience working at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre offered much opportunity for professional development in working with trauma.
I've also developed quite an interest in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and have undertaken training in this area. DBT is particularly useful not only for people with so called personality disorders but also as a way of working with long-standing depression and anxiety.
I have an ongoing interest in mindfulness based approaches including the 'Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy' (MBRST) and 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy' (ACT) models of working.
I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1998 at the Australian National University. In 2014 I completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra. My university studies gave me a great opportunity to explore a range of areas and interests including relationship parenting through the 'Circle of Security Parenting' program.
Each year I attend various workshops and training to enhance my understanding and skills. This ensures that I remain up-to-date with latest approaches.
What modalities and approaches do I use in working with clients?
I am largely informed by Psychodynamic Relational models which focus on how our life experiences, and especially early life experiences, shape our 'internal working models'. These then influence and colour the way we respond to relationships and our current life experiences.
I use a range of approaches based on the client's needs including:
- Psychodynamic therapy;
- Mindfulness based approaches;
- Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT);
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; and
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (particularly the skills training components).
I am constantly amazed at our uniqueness as human beings, and our resilience and capacity for change even in the face of overwhelming difficulties. I feel a deep satisfaction in working together with people and sharing their journey as they seek to improve their lives.
About Inner Actions.
Inner Actions is a professional psychology and psychotherapy private practice of Luisa Dal Molin located in Deakin, Canberra, ACT. The practice was first established in 2000 by Allan Brownsdon and I joined Inner Actions in 2010. Allan retired at the end of 2017. Inner Actions has helped hundreds of clients with a range of issues over the last 20 plus years.
Inner Actions is founded on the principles of client centred therapy. Client centred therapy recognises that you have the right to find solutions that are congruent with your personal values and expectations. I believe that it is not my role to impose a solution to your problems; you are the author of your life and my role is to assist you to get the best you can from it.
Professional Peer Consultation
Professional peer consultation (sometimes referred to as “supervision”) is a process put in place to ensure that therapists provide you with the best quality care and remain accountable for the work they undertake. To this end I engage an experienced therapist to review my work with clients. This process involves discussing with the colleague non-identifying details about the work I am undertaking. This ensures that a third person is aware of what I am doing and can offer suggestions for alternative ways of approaching particular issues. The colleague is bound by the same ethical and confidentiality rules as myself.
I am also a Psychology Board approved supervisor who can undertake supervision of provisional psychologists.