Salva Crusca

Salva Crusca

In the words of Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” The worst you can go through can also be the turning point for personal growth.

I have a strong interest in the treatment of trauma including relational trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD, sexual abuse and sexual assault. I have worked with adults who have experienced the effects of childhood trauma and with adults who have been in abusive relationships.

For 15 years I have worked in the public mental health sector with people experiencing serious mental illness (including young people with psychosis and in aged persons mental health) both in inpatient psychiatric units and in community mental health teams. In recent years, I have worked in the community sector in family violence (undertaking family therapy with mothers and children), in private practice with Employee Assistance Program including Victoria Police, and as a trauma counsellor at a Sexual Assault Centre (public sector).

I am an approachable person who can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to allow you to express your concerns and work with you to help you to heal. I have worked with issues including depression, anxiety, family dysfunction, carer issues, relationship issues, trauma, PTSD. As a first generation Australian I can relate to the complexities of migration and the intergenerational trauma that it can bring.

I enjoy taking my greyhound to the beach for walks. I love reading fiction and watching Scandi noir films. Importantly I make a creative space for myself by doing creative writing and sculpture.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Clinical Family Therapy, La Trobe University.
  • Diploma in Education, University of Melbourne.
  • Bachelor of Social Work, La Trobe University.
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

I use a range of interventions in helping people with mental health disorders, including the following focussed psychological strategies:

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
  • Schema Therapy
  • Polyvagal Theory
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  • Behavioural interventions
  • Mindfulness-based therapies
  • Stress Management
  • Family Therapy

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • Italian (fluent)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  • Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
  • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW)
  • Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
  • Member of the Blue Knot Foundation