Clare Ivens Joins the Team

Posted on: 05-2-2012 by: Deborah Jepsen

Clare Ivens

Clare has joined School Psychology Services on a part-time basis while she continues her full-time role as a School Psychologist.

Clare is seeing one or two clients per week and will occasionally run specialised programs on a Saturday.

Clare explains why she loves working with children:

I love working with children and teenagers because I appreciate that life can sometimes feel like you are on a rollercoaster blindfolded! Counselling can provide a young person with support, coping skills and insight to help them manage the ups and downs, gain a sense of control and foster an optimistic outlook on life. It is a privilege to connect with young people and help them to overcome personal hardships and to achieve important goals and lasting change. Working closely with children and teens is very rewarding and I am so often touched by the strength young people show in overcoming adversity.

Main areas of focus:

Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia
Peer difficulties (e.g, difficulties making friends, bullying)
Social skills
Transition and adjustment difficulties
Parents separation and divorce
Adjustment to a new school/city/country
Grief and loss
Confidence and self esteem
Performance enhancement

Therapeutic Approach:
Clare uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with her clients. Clare is a creative therapist who tailors her approach to match the client and counselling goals.

Professional Biggest Achievement:
Developing and publishing Unleash Your Potential: Thinking Skills for Peak Performance. This program is sold to schools throughout Australia and is helping many young people learn the psychological tools important to performances and confidence. Amazing outcomes can be achieved when you add mental training to skill and practice.

Publications:

Bei, B., Waloszek, J., Byrne, M., Woods, M., Ivens, C., Nicholas, C., Murray, G., Allen, N., & Trinder, J. (2011). Development & feasibility trial of a mindfulness-based multi-component in-school group sleep intervention for poor sleep & anxiety symptoms in adolescent girls. Paper presented at the Sleep DownUnder 2011 Conference, Sydney, October 2011.

Brandon, C. & Ivens, C (2009). Thinking Skills for Peak Performance: Unleash Your Potential. Coach’s Manual. Macmillan: Melbourne.

Brandon, C. & Ivens, C (2009). Thinking Skills for Peak Performance: Unleash Your Potential. Student Workbook. Macmillan: Melbourne.

Frydenberg, E., Muller, D., & Ivens, C. (2007). The experience of loss: Coping and the Seasons for Growth Program. Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 23(1), 45-68.

Trinder, J., Ivens, C., Kleiman, J., Kleverlaan, D., & White, D.P. (2006). The cardiorespiratory activation response at an arousal from sleep is independent of the level of CO2. Journal of Sleep Respiratory, 15, 1-9.

Ivens, C., Goode, L. & Frydenberg, E. (2007). Enhancing adolescent wellbeing: Coping skills training for girls. Australian Psychological Society Conference Proceedings, 2007

Qualifications: