Gabrielle Connell

Registered Psychologist Number: PSY0001605222

Gabrielle is a Clinical Psychologist with experience working in a range of settings in the public health sector, including Drummond Street Services, the Berry Street Take Two program and Monashlink Community Health Service as an ATAPS Clinician within the Primary Health Network. Gabrielle also worked as a Clinician with the Tune In Youth Counselling Service, which provided individual trauma focused therapy for children and adolescents affected by the 2009 bushfires. Gabrielle was the Senior Clinical Psychologist in a Perinatal service, within a hospital setting. In her role Gabrielle provided specialised psychological therapy to mothers, fathers and families in the perinatal and infancy stages.

In 2010 Gabrielle worked in a therapeutic and research capacity for Deakin University on the Deakin Family Options study for Beyond Blue, in which she facilitated parent groups, and provided individual therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression. In 2011 Gabrielle worked as a Clinician with Take Two program, which provides individual therapy to children and adolescents in the care of the Child Protection system to assist them to recover from the trauma of family violence, abuse and neglect.

Gabrielle’s areas of special interest include mood related difficulties such as anxiety, depression, social anxiety and panic disorder; relational problems such as bullying, peer relationships, self-esteem issues, parenting and attachment; both chronic and single incident trauma related difficulties such as behavioural problems, post-traumatic stress disorder and self-harm. In addition, Gabrielle works in the specialist clinics within MCPC, providing assessment and treatment for Trichotillomania and Selective Mutism.

Gabrielle has experience in a range of therapy and treatment modalities tailored to the individual including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Narrative Therapy. Gabrielle has also been trained in the FOCUS (Freedom from Obsessions and Compulsions Using Skills) program for children with OCD. Gabrielle is also trained in the Circle Of Security parenting program, and the Watch Wait and Wonder intervention, both of which focus on building the attachment relationship between parents and their infants and toddlers.

Gabrielle believes in the importance of working with a child in the context of their family, school and community. This systemic approach is necessary to help the child and their family to overcome the difficulties they are currently experiencing. Gabrielle endeavours to create a safe, caring and fun therapy space so that her clients can feel heard, understood and valued.

Gabrielle is also a Board registered Supervisor.

Publications/Presentations

• Bertino, M.D., Connell, G., & Lewis, A. J. (2012). The association between parental personality patterns and internalising and externalising behaviour problems in children and adolescents. Clinical Psychologist, 16, 2, 1-8.

• ISSPD presentation, (2011). Parental Personality Disorder and Child Psychopathology.