Counselling & Therapy Sydney

Counselling & Therapeutic Approach

With over 19 years counselling & psychotherapy experience, working with individuals, couples and families I have a deep appreciation of the changes and transformations I have witnessed in therapy sessions over that time. It is always a privilege to be a part of the therapeutic experience and I have a deep respect for the honesty and courage involved in engaging in the therapeutic process.

I have a deep respect for the honesty and courage involved in engaging in the therapeutic process.

My approach is interpersonal, holistic, strengths-based and active. I like to work experientially in the ‘here and now’ and draw from several therapeutic approaches.

Foremost the therapeutic space must be supportive, accepting and safe - and from that place new steps can be taken - opening space for other parts to come forward, to take risks and to explore new possibilities.

With the belief that each person has a natural tendency towards self-realisation, I understand the importance of identifying obstacles to growth. These are often self-limiting beliefs and schemas which served you well at a particular time in your life but may now be holding you back from achieving your full potential.

Individual Counselling, Couple Counselling and Family Counselling

Whatever the concerns an individual or couple bring to counselling, the quality of personal relationships in their life can have a significant impact. Humans are wired for relationship - our brain is a social organ and relationships impact on neurological and mental processes.

Isolation and loneliness can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Conflict and distress in a couple relationship creates a context for individual difficulties to arise.

I am also interested in the relationship you have with yourself - what expectations do you have for yourself, what standards do you hold yourself to, can you bring a compassionate inquiry to your questions or are you more likely to be hard on yourself?

Having a strong inner critic can have the same physiological effects on your wellbeing and sense of self as a highly critical partner.

My approach includes a relational frame - we can attend to anxiety and depression symptoms with cognitive and behavioural techniques proven to help, and also go further- what is the nature of the relationships in your life? Are you grieving the end of an important relationship, or worrying about a new relationship? Are there relationships in which you want greater connection, or perhaps more boundaries and space - how do you relate to the most important people in your life?

Female Therapist

Commitment to Excellence in Therapy

I have a commitment to excellence and invest in training and development. Originally trained as a psychotherapist, I also have qualifications in psychology and postgraduate specialist qualifications in working with couples and families. My qualifications include four post-graduate therapeutic qualifications

Grad. Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy
Academic Excellence Award for graduating year
Grad. Dip Systemic Therapy
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours Class 1)
Awarded Dux of graduating year
Masters in Couple and Family Therapy

My training has included the following theories and models

Systemic Therapy
Structural Family Therapy
Gottman Method
Narrative Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Existential Practice
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Positive Psychology
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness
Emotional Freedom Technique
Trauma Informed
Somatic Therapies

These varied qualifications and models and theories, enable me to draw on a variety of ideas in my counselling approach all of which are grounded in research and evidence-based practice.

Counselling Approach

My approach to therapy is compassionate, centred in your goals and active. After identifying your goals for change I offer reflection, feedback and together we determine focus for future sessions. I aim for in session experiential change and insight, and also offer exercises to support change in between sessions.

I am a Clinical Member and Accredited Supervisor with the Australian Association of Family Therapy and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association.

As a Clinical Supervisor since 2012 I have delivered supervision to many therapists including individual therapists, couple and family therapists and case management practitioners; and to various departments in NSW Health including child protection and drug & alcohol. My training includes a Certificate of Supervision (UK).

I have experience in training therapists to become couple and family therapists, and am involved in supervision students, interns and new systemic therapists

Actively engaged in research and development of practice in therapy, I contribute to the literature and theory of therapy through articles and publications, and present my work and ideas at local, national and international conferences. Previous articles and presentations are listed below.

Committed to Excellence

Qualifications

Masters Couple & Family Therapy (UNSW)
GDip Counselling & Psychotherapy (JNI)
Award: Highest Academic Excellence
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (ACAP)
Awarded Dux in Graduating Year
First Class Honours (High Distinction)
Certificate in Supervision (Centre for Supervision UK)

Professional Memberships

Clinical Member - Australian Association of Family Therapy
Clinical Member - PACFA Reg. Clinical 25938
Accredited Clinical Supervisor - Australian Association of Family Therapy
Member - Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association
General Member - ASSERT NSW (Australian Society of Sex Educators, Researchers and Therapists
Editorial Board - The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy (ANZJFT) 2012 - present
Chair Editorial Board ANZJFT (2012-2014)
Committee Member AAFT Management Committee (2012-2014)

Publications

Codrington, R. (2017) Trauma, Dissociation and Chronic Shame - Reflections for Couple and Family Practice: An Interview with Kathy Steele. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy 38(4)

Codrington, R.; Iqbal, A.; & Segal, J. (2011) Lost in Translation? Embracing the challenges of working with families from a refugee background. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 32(2): 129-43

Codrington, R. (2009) A family therapist’s look into interpersonal neurobiology and the adolescent brain: An interview with Dr Daniel Siegel. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 31(4): 285-299

Conference Presentations

2018 Australian Family Therapy Conference, Sydney. Working with Adult Families: Assessment, Conceptualisation and Intervention

2018 Australian Family Therapy Conference, Sydney. Feedback Informed Therapy

2016 International Association of Family Therapy Conference, Hawaii Using Relationship Counselling to Address Trauma

2015 Australian Association of Family Therapy Conference, Sydney Using Relationship Counselling to Address Trauma