Jeff has completed 37 years of service with Victoria Police before commencing at Brave Health Group. He was employed in various roles including several operational positions, Coronial Services and Prosecutions areas. Throughout his career he adopted a compassionate approach when dealing with both victims and perpetrators of crime. At the Coronial Services Unit his work included the investigation of aviation fatalities, complex deaths in correctional facilities, medical settings and workplaces. In 2002 he travelled to Bali and assisted in the victim identification process following the terrorist bombings in Kuta. In 2010 he co-presented with the Victorian State Coroner at the Australasian Coroners Society conference in Port Moresby.
Jeff has witnessed and been exposed to significant work-related trauma over his work life and understands the needs and impact of work-related trauma encountered by many of his clients.
He is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and holds undergraduate degrees in Business and Psychology with Honours. He completed his post graduate training at Swinburne University where he was awarded a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
His experience in psychological treatment includes a health service where he has supported clients presenting with issues around social isolation, academic difficulties and problems with personal relationships. Jeff has also worked with a range of presentations including difficulties with anger management, depressive and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, relationship problems and work-related trauma. He has also facilitated social anxiety therapy groups.
Over several months at a major Melbourne hospital, he has conducted psychological therapy with patients who had received a cancer diagnosis. These patients were seen either on the ward as inpatients or when attending as outpatients for scheduled chemotherapy or radiotherapy appointments. These sessions were very much patient led and tended to focus on important existential issues around how the patient was viewing their diagnosis and treatment as part of the overall narrative of their life.
Jeff embraces a holistic and collaborative approach to psychological treatment and believes that ‘talk therapy’ in conjunction with active lifestyle changes produce the most meaningful and sustainable outcomes. He feels privileged to be in a role which allows him access to peoples’ unique and important life stories.
He adopts a range of treatment interventions including CBT, ACT and DBT and the intervention selected is dependent on the needs and situation of each client.