Dr Anna Bennetts

Profile

Anna is a provisional psychologist completing a Master of Clinical Psychology at Edith Cowan University. Anna has extensive experience working in the drug and alcohol field as a workforce development officer and counsellor prior to now completing her psychology training. Anna is interested in working with people from all cultures and across the lifespan who would like support to change some aspect of their behaviour or who are struggling to come to terms with life change such as grief or loss. Anna brings a genuine, non-judgemental approach to all her therapeutic encounters and is experienced in various therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness. Anna believes that without a strong therapeutic relationship, therapy will be less effective so she puts the client at the centre of all her encounters while approaching everyone through a trauma informed lens.

Experience

Anna has worked in various capacities for the WA Mental Health Commission including managing the Alcohol and Drug Support Service, a 24-hour counselling and support service for people needing help with alcohol and other drug issues. Anna previously worked at Yorgum Healing Services (2016-2018) as a provisional psychologist where she provided clinical supervision with both counselling and Link-up staff and carried a small caseload of adult and child clients, most of whom had experienced significant trauma. From 2018-2021 she worked at Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and, along with an Aboriginal elder, co-facilitated practice supervision groups for staff. She also developed and facilitated a training and a mentoring program for staff, and helped manage critical incidents. Anna has also worked as a provisional psychologist for the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs (1992) and the Cumberland Hospital’s Wisteria Centre (1996-1997) where she was responsible for inpatient and outpatient group and individual therapy.

Education

BA (Psych Hons)
MPH
PhD (Creative Writing)


Select Presentations

“Alcohol users who access the Alcohol and Drug Support Service” 49th Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society. Fremantle, May 2024.

“The Making of Unlock: An advocacy film about children whose parents have mental illness” Beyond the Boundaries Family Symposium, DAO and Palmerston. Perth, September 2006.

Select Publications

Stone J, Marsh A, Dale, Willis L, O’Toole S, Helfgott S, Bennetts A et al. (2019) Counselling Guidelines: Alcohol and other drug issues, 4th edition (Various chapters).

Collard G, Bennetts A (2012) Workshop Focus Area 2: Our Views our Way – Sharing our world for greater community involvement. Chapter 2 Tracks to Two-way Learning: Education Department WA.

Bennetts A, Shaffer N, Manopaiboon C et al. (1999) Determinants of depression and distress in HIV-infected women who have recently given birth, Bangkok, Thailand. Soc. Sci. & Med; 49: 737-49.

Parry C, Bennetts A (1998) Alcohol policy and public health in South Africa. Oxford University Press: Cape Town.

Irwig L, Bennetts A (1997). Quality of life after breast conservation or mastectomy: a systematic review. Australian New Zealand Journal of Surgery, 19; 97.

Bennetts A. et al. (1995). Development of the Psychosocial effects of an abnormal Pap smear questionnaire. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 48 (10): 1235-1243.

Clinical Interests

Working with Adolescents & Adults

Fees

Fees for private consultations can be found on lcpc.cygnetclinic.com

Referrals

Self-referrals, EAP Referrals.