Pippa Cushing

ABOUT

I am a registered psychologist and clinical registrar experienced in working with varied client concerns such as: 

• Mood and anxiety disorders including anxiety, depression and bipolar
• Trauma-related issues including posttraumatic stress, complex trauma and dissociation
• Personality issues including treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder
• Emotional dysregulation
• Adjustment difficulties
• Relational issues
• Concerns relating to sexuality and gender diversity

I predominantly work with young adults and adults and have an interest in addressing complex client issues. I have worked across a range of mental health settings in both public and private sectors, including community mental health and acute psychiatric inpatient services. 

I enjoy helping people find understanding, acceptance and peace, both within themselves and in their relationships with others. I am also an experienced holistic yoga therapist and hold a deep interest in the interplay between physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing. 

Out of the office, I enjoy bushwalking, swimming, gardening, singing, sewing, teaching yoga, and, most recently, reading about ecopsychology and ecotherapy. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Psychology (Clinical), University of Tasmania
• Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours), University of Tasmania
• Diploma of Yogic Studies and Teacher Training, Academy of Yoga Science (NSW)

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

I am friendly and collaborative in my approach and use a suite of evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Schema Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Mindfulness-based therapies
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• Registered Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)

PUBLICATIONS

• Hsu, C-M K., Kleim, B., Nicholson, E. L., Zuj, D. V., Cushing, P. J., Gray, K. E. ... Felmingham, K. L. (2018). Sex differences in intrusive memories following trauma. PLoS ONE, 13(12), e0208575.
• Zuj, D. V., Palmer, M. A., Hsu, C-M. K., Nicholson, E. L., Cushing, P. J., Gray, K. E., Felmingham, K. L. (2016). Impaired fear extinction associated with PTSD increases with hours-since-waking. Depression and Anxiety, 33(3), 203-210.