Leigh Fraser-Gray AMHSW

LGBT+ safe and inclusive

Trauma Informed, Crisis Specialist

Mental Health First Aid Master Trainer

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“To develop capacity is via information, resources and support”

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Most people simply want their woes to subside; I assist with sustainable change/s by helping YOU really understand YOU.

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And this starts with YOU. With appropriate support through ME.

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I don’t do FOR you; I do WITH you as we engage in a therapeutic alliance capturing who YOU are, what YOU want, and where YOU wish to be before we establish HOW to make this all happen.

Professional Practice

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“Creating positive impact through the deeper understanding of the human condition and it's influences on our system."

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With 25 years social services experience, I regard myself as a Professional Helper. I help heal internal emotional fissures when in clinical practice. I also teach EVERYONE and ANYONE mental health triage skills when training Mental Health First Aid.

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Qualifications 

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  • B. Soc Work (2007)

  • B. Soc. Welfare (2001)

  • Dip. Human and Community Services (1998)

  • Voc. Grad. Dip. Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) (2010)

  • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) (2017)

  • Instructor – (S)MHFA (2018) and (OP)MHFA (2019)

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My Practice

I welcome all who feel currently perplexed by their life and/or the external situations they currently face; we can work together to identify what could make things better in a manner that optimises self determination.

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Most people simply want their concerns or pain to subside; I offer assistance with sustainable change/s.

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Following 25 years operating in the Human and Social Services for both Government and Not-For-Profit sector (Cairns, Far North Queensland and Brisbane), I have consolidated my advanced Social Sciences practice and developed a specific strengths-based, client-focused professional private practice capacity. I am known for my highly approachable manner as I adapt communication / therapy style to best suit the individual.

This flexible approach lends itself to creating a comfortable and confidential space to unload even the most sensitive of experiences or information to explore concerns, periods of adversity and/or fears.

 

Resilience

An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW), my clinical practice is based on optimising resilience.

 

Through many years of working with those in crisis and/or with a trauma background, I have been privileged to learn how adversity can provide the greatest opportunity to: grow, develop, learn, adapt and/or evolve.

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Even if circumstances have changed dramatically for the individual, there can emerge ‘a new normal’.

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Through the teaching of Psycho Neuro Therapy, I assist the individual to learn about how the brain has great capacity to heal and develop new neural pathways; we CAN adapt, alter perspective, heal and/or change.

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I find this approach can assist in a variety of situations.

I actively encourage clients to identify what they are willing to do to better a situation or circumstances for themselves, even if there appears external limits or barriers to change or movement ie ‘fixed points’.

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In consultation, clients are placed in the ‘drivers seat’ of the clinical experience (ie empowered), as we partner up in a professional alliance and work together to identify individual / unique strengths and ways forwards.

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Pathways are identified to potentially transition between feeling powerless and/or merely ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving’.

 

Consequentially, focus tends to be on ‘change processes’ by assisting clients to gain clarity, understanding and/or confidence over their current situation; psycho education can be a key part of the therapeutic process.

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I find my many prior years as a generalist Social Worker however has equipped me with both practical and systemic knowledge in many areas of human functioning and/or adversity. This means client issues can range greatly, whilst I am still able to introduce multi-purpose concepts around resilience and sustaining change.

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My preferred modes of psychological intervention include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Interpersonal Therapy;

  • Psycho Neuro Therapy;

  • Psycho Education;

  • Narrative Theory;

  • Solution Focused, Strengths-based Approaches;

  • Self Compassion / Self Care Theory.

 

 

As I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, you may be able to access Medicare rebates for our sessions.

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