Debrah Clinch BSW, AMHSW, MACSW
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
(Medicare registered and ATAPS registered)
Family Therapist, Cert IV in Training and Assessment

The Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Trade Mark is a gold standard in professional recognition:
Use of this Trade Mark is exclusively available and restricted to members of the Australian Association of Social Workers who meet the specified requirements and commit to a minimum amount of ongoing, annual professional development in the area of mental health.  As a highly experienced practitioner, Debrah Clinch has been awarded this recognition.

Debrah is a member of the Australian College of Social Workers. The College recognises, acknowledges and rewards the highest professional standards and qualifications that Social Workers offer. Membership signifies that a social worker is recognised by their peers as having achieved advanced professional knowledge and specialist skills in Social Work.

Specialist areas:

Children, Adolescents and Adults

Individual Counselling, Couples Counselling, Family Therapy, Mother and Infant Work.

Concerns and issues that I typically help people to address include:

  • Anxiety and stress
  • Low mood or levels of happiness
  • Family conflict
  • Relationship issues
  • Life stage transitions-separation, career change, retirement
  • Postnatal depression and attachment issues
  • Concerns with child/adolescent behaviour
  • School issues
  • Low self esteem /confidence issues/body image
  • Family violence
  • Abuse experienced in childhood
  • Sexual assault
  • Loss and Grief
  • Complex trauma
  • General problem solving / personal development

Therapeutic  approach:
Debrah has a warm and engaging approach.  In her work with both adults and children individually or in couple/family based interventions, she draws on cognitive behavioural therapy and psycho social education strategies, as well as the strengths based approaches of narrative, solution focused therapy and trauma informed practice.  Her practice is culturally sensitive.

Referral Pathway:
Referral from GP:  Debrah is registered as a counselling provider under the Better Access Initiative, which entitles clients to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately 70% of the fee payable at time of session. The GP needs to provide the client being referred with a Mental Health Plan.
Debrah is also registered with ATAPS (Access to Allied Professionals) under the following streams; Child Mental Health, Youth, Adult and Post Natal Depression. Please check with your GP for eligibility to this program. If eligible there is no cost to the client for counselling.
Children may initially also be referred to Debrah under the ATAPS program via the School Principal, Child Care Cente or Maternal Child Health Nurse. Debrah is able to visit schools to conduct ATAPS sessions with children.
Self referral: People may themselves request counselling by phoning the mobile number listed. No government rebate is available on self referral, however if ability to pay is an issue please discuss this with the provider to determine the possibility of a concession rate.

Experience/expertise:
Debrah is a qualified social worker and family therapist with 25 years experience in counselling individuals of all ages, couples and families.  She has extensive experience as a counselling practitioner in a variety of community services in the Family and Children’s and Mental Health sectors, as well as in private practice.
Debrah also facilitates group work and professional development training sessions, provides clinical supervision and secondary consultation.  Debrah was volunteer coordinator/facilitator of the Eltham/Greensborough Mental Health Professional Network for 2 years.  This role involved organising professional development sessions for the network of local counsellors.

“I expect to pass through the world but once
Any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,
Let me do it now
Let me not defer or neglect it,
For I shall not pass this way again”. (S Grellet)