Ms Claudia Ovenden Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist Claudia Ovenden is endorsed by APRHA as a Clinical Psychologist and has a special interests in mindfulness based therapies and Schema Therapy. Claudia holds a BA from the University of Melbourne, and a PGradDip Psych and Master of Psychology (with distinction) from Curtin University of Technology. Claudia Is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and maintains membership of the Clinical College of the APS Claudia has pursued an interest in mindfulness meditation since 1986 by undertaking silent retreats in southern Thailand and in Melbourne. Claudia came to Perth to deepen her practise under the guidance of Buddhist monks south of Perth. Claudia has worked in university settings in roles related to research in health behaviour and drug use, teaching a foundation unit in Addiction Studies and as a student and staff counsellor. Claudia has peer reviewed publications in the area of drug use and harm reduction. She has also worked in the not-for-profit sector counselling people with addictions. For about 20 years, Claudia did group therapy with psychiatric inpatients and day patients with a variety of often complex presentations, including people with addiction and personality disorders. Claudia has a special interest in Schema Therapy, an extension of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to address longstanding life patterns which influence thinking, feelings, memories, behaviour and relationships. Claudia also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, plus mindful and compassionate interventions to help reduce arousal and regulate emotions.