Bernadette Fitzgerald

Bernadette trained as a Counsellor and is a Clinical Member of PACFA.  She has worked across not-for-profit and private health settings. She has completed the DBT Foundational Course through DBT Behavioral Tech (training institute established by Dr Marsha Linehan) and is currently undertaking training in DBT-A for Adolescents.  She has also completed training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFCT).  

 

Committed to the ethical and practical delivery of evidence-based therapies, her calm and practical approach can help you explore solutions that support change. She recognises that we all want to be heard but we also want to move ahead.  It is this balance of acceptance and change that excited her about DBT and keeps her committed to ongoing professional development. 

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She has a particular interest in helping to strengthening relationships between partners and families.  Emotion dysregulation often accompanied by attachment challenges can be major stressors on relationships.  Bernadette finds it particularly satisfying to blend DBT strategies with attachment focused EFT with the goal of establishing more secure relationships, defined by predictability and equality. 

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Recently, Bernadette graduated from AABCAP’s Buddhism and Psychotherapy course.  This was an opportunity to deep dive in the core concepts of mindfulness and non-judgmentalness that underpin DBT.  It also provided an opportunity to focus on establishing life-long practises to support mindfulness and deeply reflect on lifespan issues.  She welcomes clients who share a similar spiritual interest.   

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Bernadette is married with two adult children.  She enjoys outdoor activities and travel. She is currently trying to master gardening.