Valentina Bianchi

ABOUT

I am a Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest and expertise in supporting adults managing individual and relational issues related to personality disorders, trauma, identity and sense of self, eating disorders and problematic patterns of behaviour, particularly in the context of difficulties managing emotions (e.g. suicidality, self harm, substance use, externalizing issues). I am currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne, focusing on secrecy and emotion regulation in everyday life. 

I am originally from Italy and have lived in the Netherlands and in the UK, before moving permanently to Australia in 2011. Over the last 10+ years, I have gained experience in a range of mental health settings (public, private, inpatient and outpatient services). I am passionate about supporting people in making sense of their inner and outer experiences and in aligning themselves with their own meaning. Outside of work, I enjoy live music, dark humour and travelling and experiencing all aspects of different cultures (particularly learning languages and sampling cuisines). 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Psychology (Clinical), Deakin University
• Master in Social, Work and Communication Psychology (Universita’ degli Studi di Padova, Italy)
• Bachelor in Personality and Interpersonal Relationships Psychology (Universita’ degli Studi di Padova, Italy)

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

I bring a transdiagnostic, challenging and irreverent style to the therapy room. I am extensively trained in the following evidence-based treatment approaches:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Schema Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Structural Dissociation

LANGUAGES

• Fluent in English and Italian
• Basic communication skills in French and Spanish

PUBLICATIONS

• Sloan, E. , O'donnell, R. , Bianchi, V. , Simpson, A. , Cox, R. and Hall, K. (2018), Distress, emotional clarity, and disordered eating in young people with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties. Clin Psychol, 22: 148-157. doi:10.1111/cp.12154
   

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• Registered Psychologist (Clinical) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Board Approved Supervisor (AHPRA)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
• Fellow Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists (FCCLP)
• Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA)
• Accredited therapist with the Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Association of Australia (EMDRAA)