A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan can be accessed to enable Medicare to subsidise this service
Janelle Nichols - Psychologist & Director
Janelle Nichols, locally known as Nel, is the founder and director of COCOON, formerly known as HUON VALLEY PSYCHOLOGY. Nel is a local with over twenty years experience, supporting adults, adolescents and children. Nel's authentic way enables clients to feel relaxed . She is genuine, empathetic, approachable and welcomes people from all walks of life.
Nel works collaberatively with clients, and is interested in knowing strengths, history and presenting difficulties. During sessions Nel listens, helps unpack and process whats happening. Along the way, she shares insights, knowledge and evidence based recommendations to help each individual achieve what they hope for. Fostering flexible thinking styles to equip people with adaptive ways of dealing with life challenges, is at the core of her work. Assisting with anxiety, depression, trauma, disability, gender identity, children’s development, interpersonal conflicts, psychodynamics and attachment-based parenting are a strong focus. Nel also supports NDIS clients and enjoys assessing intellectual, academic and adaptive functioning with adults and children. Therapies drawn upon include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, Mindfulness, Meditation, Relaxation and Play Therapy. Outside work you might see Nel running around the Huon (above pictured near Crouches Hill). Nel also loves hometime with her husband, children, their border collies, cooking up a tasty vego meal and getting her hands dirty in the vege patch. For information about fees and availability email admin@huoncocoon.com.au
Bethany Smith - Clinical Psychologist
Bethany is a caring and compassionate registered Clinical Psychologist with 14 years experience working with adults and adolescents. Bethany believes that person-centred therapy, with a focus on building rapport and trust, is essential to assist people reach their goals. Bethany draws upon several evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, in her work to understand the complex issues people face in life. Bethany uses strategies from these approaches to assist her clients to build upon their skills and address their needs in therapy. Bethany has experience providing care and support to people with the following concerns:
Mood issues including, depression and adjustment to challenging life situations
Anxiety and stress management
Self esteem
Grief and loss
Experiences of trauma
Managing chronic health conditions, including diabetes, chronic heart and lung disease, and pain management
Anger management
Transgender and other identity based challenges
Bethany aims to support clients to improve their coping skills and self-regulation of emotions, to better understand their relationships, and to learn about the links between their thoughts, feelings and actions. Bethany studied at the University of Adelaide and completed her Master of Psychology (Health) in 2009. Since then Bethany has worked in government, not for profit organisations, and private practice in Melbourne and Hobart, including:
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (Melbourne)
Southern Health (Melbourne, hospital setting)
Relationships Australia Tasmania
headspace Hobart (youth focus)
When not at Cocoon, Bethany works at the University of Tasmania as a Lecturer and Supervisor to students studying their Postgraduate degrees in Psychology and Counselling. Please contact Bethany directly to arrange an appointment.