About Dr Sue Wigginton.

Psychologist, MAPS

Sue began working with children and families in the early nineties in private practice.  She has been a registered Psychologist in Queensland since 1998. Her clinical experience has been built up in a variety of settings, both Government and Community based, in the areas of disability, domestic violence, generalist counselling and post-separation family work. The early part of her therapeutic experience was focused on working with children and adolescents, which continues to be a significant part of her counselling practice.  

Sue became involved in post-separation family work in the early 2000’s and continues to specialize in this area of work, providing family and individual work for adults and children. In 2010 Sue enrolled in a doctorate (conferred in 2017) focusing on children’s adjustment following family breakdown, bringing together her passion for working with children and understanding the dynamics of post-separation families. 

Sue also works with a range of presenting issues with adults , including trauma, sexual abuse, grief, depression and anxiety. She provides professional supervision and life coaching. 

What Can Sue Wigginton Offer You? 

You will find Sue to be empathic and warm, with an ability to make you feel very much at ease. She not only offers a wealth of clinical experience, but a high level of personal and professional wisdom that creates a sense of safety within the therapeutic experience.

THERAPEUTIC APROACH:

Her practice emphasises meeting a client exactly where they are ‘at’ without judgment, and together creating a shared understanding about what their current struggle is. This is sometimes the first time a person has experienced being really heard regarding their view of how things are. This in itself is a profound healing experience.

Sue encourages clients to identify their own needs in being  supported once work is underway and a client has understanding about what they are hoping to achieve or work toward. If a client in is crisis at the time of coming to therapy, this may take a little while to develop. Gradually, however, clients are encouraged to take more and more ownership of their self-monitoring (of progress and relapse alike),  their growth and aspirations for future directions. An important part of Sue’s therapeutic approach is (re)building self-reliance in clients who have a diminished trust in their own abilities and sense of themselves.

Sue draws from a range of modalities but is orientated toward understanding human complexities and struggle from a holistic perspective of the heart, the mind and the body as having equal significance in contributing to the issue and in healing. Her practice is frequently directed by Mindfulness teachings and techniques that allow clients to work toward a deeper sense of peace and acceptance in their lives. She makes use of several frameworks to suit the nature of the work (including CBT, Solution Focussed, Inner Child and Mindfulness).

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:

Sue is versatile in working across the age groups with a deep passion and commitment to working with children and adolescents as well as young adults as they strive to grow through life issues that may be either developmental, situational or more specific to their unique perspective on the world and way of being (such as a tendency to experience anxiety or depression). Sue works with creative modalities that allow children and adolescents a way of expressing themselves beyond (and in addition to) talk therapy. She uses creative mediums that include: art therapy techniques, sandtray and work with figurines, clay work, and drawing. These mediums allow children to find ways to express their inner selves (thoughts, feelings and part of selves) that their vocabulary would otherwise limit. They provide a form of play that allows a more natural expression for children of their inner world. These techniques are combined with and used within a framework of several theoretical approaches, (including Solution Focused, Gestalt and Inner Child.) Sue works with a wide range of presenting issues with 5 – 16 years olds.

THERAPY AND COACHING WITH POST-SEPARATION FAMILIES.

Sue has two decades of experience in working with post-separation families both in a therapeutic and mediation context. Sue has trained and supervised practitioners, and managed services providing many types of post-separation services. She is well skilled and versatile in identifying and assessing a family’s needs and tailoring the family work.

Frequently, some work is needed on (re)building relationships within a separated family, between one parent and a child for example, which will be undertaken at the pace and readiness of the child. Sue is adept at gauging the therapeutic input that is needed at the time a person presents depending on where they are in their own recovery journey, which can vary for different family members of one family. Her extensive experience with – and understanding of – post-separation families allows her to deal effectively with highly sensitive or conflicted issues in a family with empathy and realism, and frequently facilitate healing of relationships that was previously not imagined or hoped for.

What Happens During a Session?

A counselling session last for 50 minutes. You will be given an Intake Form to complete on your first appointment. This session is used to gain some understanding about what you would like to address, the history of this issue and getting to know you. Also an Information Sheet will be explained so you understand the terms and conditions of the therapy and issues such as confidentiality and its limits. You are able to ask any questions you need to.

CHILDREN’S WORK

In the case of children presenting for therapy, the first session is always shared between the parent and child together (half the session), and then the child alone (half the session). In the case of very sensitive information or a complex history, the parent is advised to attend alone for the first session to provide the information without the child having to be present.  

In the case of separated families, the consent of both parents is sought to work with a child and only in exceptional circumstances will this be waived. Please discuss this at your first appointment.

 Feedback to parents (caregivers) is an important part of children’s therapy, and is delivered along the course of therapy in a sensitive way that respects the rights and responsibilities of all concerned.

 HOW FREQUENTLY WILL I ATTEND:  

Adults and children alike are usually asked to attend weekly – if possible – at the beginning of work for the first three to four sessions. Thereafter sessions will be timed to suit the needs of the individual and the severity of what they are dealing with which will be negotiated with each client accordingly.

 HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM FINISHED?

 Some clients experience a quick change and feel much better about their problem after one or two sessions. Others need a longer course of therapy. There is no ‘one size fits all’. Usually you will know when you have reached a desired end point in how you are feeling or coping; or you may wish to continue coming once a month as a maintenance and personal support for yourself. This is entirely your choice.

 How much does it cost?

 $200 per session individual counselling / $200 couple or family.

 At least 24 hours’ notice of cancellation is required. Cancellation fees will apply and be charged at your next appointment.

 You are personally responsible for payment in full at the time of the appointment. 

Can I claim on my Health Fund?

 You can claim a rebate on most health funds.

 Or you may be eligible to obtain a Mental Health Care Plan via your GP under Medicare. This entitles you to a rebate of $87.45 per session for up to 10 sessions per year. Eligibility criteria and refunds under this plan rest with Medicare. 

How can I find out more? 

Personal enquiries that are brief can be directed to Sue on 0403 335 593.  Otherwise please book an appointment.