Psychologist Helen James

Helen brings a steady and practical approach to therapy, shaped by a diverse career.

Caring and practical care, based on a lifetime of experience

Having originally trained as a registered nurse before a career change took her into accounting, along with a number of other fields, Helen understands people and pressure from many angles.

Her special interests include grief, family of origin patterns, family therapy and relationships. She often supports husbands and wives, parents and children, individuals, families and people involved in WorkCover matters.

Her work is informed by Bowen Family Theory, with a focus on helping people understand their patterns and build healthier ways of relating.

Registered psychologist under Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Member of Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Completed a Clinical Master of Family Therapy at Bouverie Centre (Melbourne)
Member of Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association (AANZPA)
Accredited as a Clinical Family Therapist
Associate Member of EMDR Association of Australia

Therapy in a private and tranquil location

Helen lives in Emerald with her husband. She is a keen gardener and grows much of the fruit and vegetables they cook at home. She has adult children, and young grandchildren. Helen’s family, along with her life experience and professional qualifiications, gives her a grounded understanding of family life across different stages.

Her goal is to offer care that feels steady, practical and supportive, so you feel understood and ready to move forward.

Helen is a professionally qualified psychologist

Helen is skilled at identifying and working with psychological factors (for example anxiety, depression, trauma) that affect personal quality of life and relationships. She integrates her understanding of psychological factors with her knowledge of family interactions and an appreciation of the benefits of personal development.

Helen’s particular interests and skills lie in relationship enhancement.

She has completed a Clinical Masters of Family Therapy at Bouverie Centre in Melbourne. This helps to provide an objective view of how family interactions develop over time as a consequence of differing personalities and perspectives. The awareness of ‘self’ and ‘other’ provides the capacity to ‘shift’ and repair relationships.

Helen is a member of AANZPA (Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association Inc) which focusses on the importance of personal development and the recognition of building self awareness of each person’s roles in relationships.

Trained in the science of how people think, feel, behave and learn

In Australia, psychology is a regulated profession. This means that people who call themselves a psychologist or say they are practising as a psychologist must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Registered psychologists are required to have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised experience, and to engage in ongoing education to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

They must also adhere to certain strict standards to keep their registration, and must provide professional services according to a strict code of ethics, written by the APS.

Practical tools to improve daily life

You do not need everything resolved before reaching out. A simple conversation is enough to start. If you want a calmer mind and a healthier emotional life, get in touch and begin the journey.